Orkney Fossil & Heritage Centre

A small museum in converted farm buildings on the island of Burray, with a collection of fossils from Orkney and around the world, including rare and well-preserved specimens. Recently updated fossil galleries use detailed information and illustrations to bring the ancient fish and the rock record to life, which makes it a useful stop for curious children. Upstairs heritage galleries cover life in Orkney during the First and Second World Wars, the building of the Churchill Barriers, and the Scapa Flow story, including a separate Scapa and the Scuttle exhibition. A collection of household and farm objects gathered by a local family is also on show, and an outdoor courtyard displays tools and heritage items. A tearoom and gift shop sit alongside the galleries. The centre is run by local volunteers as a charity and suits a wet afternoon or a stop on a wider tour of the islands.