Orkney Countryside Attractions

Virtually all of Orkney could fit into this category, so I have had to exercise a bit of restraint in these listings. Here you will find bird sanctuaries, walks we have enjoyed, and nature reserves. See also our overview of Birdwatching in Orkney >>

Birsay Moors RSPB    RSPB nature reserve. Moorland habitat for Arctic skuas, hen harriers, red-throated divers, and - on the ground - Orkney voles. Best in summer. nr Finstown, Finstown, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Off the A966 5 miles north of Finstown. Website: Birsay Moors RSPB Phone: 01856 850176 RSPB OS HY349244 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Brodgar RSPB    RSPB nature reserve located in a spectacular setting beside the Ring of Brodgar stone circle. This reserve is best for seeing Orkney waders, curlews, snipe, lapwings, dunlins, redshanks and oystercatchers. Best in summer. Stenness, Mainland, Orkney, Higlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Countryside Location: On the B9055 2 miles north of Stenness. The best place to park is at the Ring of Brogar parking lot. Website: Brodgar RSPB Phone: 01856 850176 RSPB OS HY293134 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Copinsay RSPB    Uninhabited island famous for its large colonies of kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills. Fulmars, and puffins also breed along the cliffs of Copinsay. Copinsay, Isle of Copinsay, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Island is 2 miles east of Mainland. Accessible by boat from Skaill (day trips) Website: Copinsay RSPB Phone: 01856 850176 RSPB OS HY583039 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Cottascarth and Rendall Moss RSPB    RSPB nature reserve. Fantastic for breeding curlews, and a good spot to see hen harriers, merlins and short-eared owls. Finstown, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotlans Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Off the A966 3.5 miles north of Finstown Website: Cottascarth and Rendall Moss RSPB Phone: 01856 850176 RSPB OS HY375183 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Longaglebe Geo   A path leads from a small parking area, along the cliffs above a narrow geo, or inlet, where a multitude of birds nest. The path joins the coastal walk towards Birsay to the east, or you can descend to the rocks along the shore and look for seabirds and seals. The rock formations are wonderful and the going is quite easy. Longaglebe, Birsay, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Off a minor road just east of Birsay. The location is noted on OS maps as Whitaloo Point. OS HY261286 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Marwick Head RSPB   RSPB nature reserve featuring thousands of breeding seabirds in a clifftop location. The views are spectacular. Also on Marwick Head is the Kitchener Memorial, a tower dedicated to the memory of Lord Kitchener who was killed in the wreck of the HMS Hampshire off this coast in 1916. Birsay, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Countryside Location: On a minor road 11 miles north of Stromness at Birsay. Website: Marwick Head RSPB Phone: 01856 850176 RSPB OS HY223248 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Mull Head   A nature reserve extending to over 200 acres, taking in coastal grassland, heather moorland, spectacular cliffs and coastal scenery. Paths through the reserve provide for circular walks ranging from 4-8 miles. From the parking lot the path passes The Gloup, a partly collapsed sea cave, or blowhole, and follows the coast to the Brough of Birsay with its early Christian monastery. The Mull features a wide variety of seabirds, and seals and otters are frequent sights. The walk can be extended to visit the Covenanter's Memorial, dedicated to the memory of 200 Covenanters who lost their lives in a shipwreck here in 1697. Deerness, Deerness, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Countryside Location: At the end of a minor road signposted from the B9050. OS HY589092 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Noup Cliffs    Probably the best known RSPB reserve on Orkney - an absolute paradise for bird lovers. Noup Cliffs is the largest seabird colony in Orkney, featuring Guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars, and puffins. Free entry, but donation requested. Best in summer. Noup, Pierowall, Westray, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Countryside Location: By road from Pierowall to Noltland Castle, then to Noup Hill, follow the road to Noup Lighthouse, where there is a parking area. Email: orkney@rspb.org.uk Phone: 01856 850176 RSPB OS HY392499 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Skiba Geo   A lovely walk along some of the finest coastline in Orkney (and that's saying something!). Park at the Brough of Birsay parking area and take the signposted path along the coast in an easterly direction. When the tide is out you can watch seals sunning themselves on the rocks, and seabirds soaring above you. The path leads to Skiba Geo, where a restored fisherman's hut is built into the side of the cliff. Deep grooves in the ground show where fishermen drew their boats up high onto the shore for protection. Carry on past a bench set above the cliffs to the far point, called Skeres Naquer on OS maps, where a found whalebone has been set on a post above the shore. Return the same way. If the tide is out you can walk across to the Brough of Birsay or explore tidepools along the beach. Birsay, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Countryside Location: Parking at the Point of Buckquoy (signposted Brough of Birsay). Access from Birsay. The OS maps may call this location Skipi Geo. OS HY250283 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Yesnaby   The single track road through Yesnaby ends at the abandonned WWII military establishment on the coast. From here a path leads south along the coast toward Stromness. The cliffs are truly spectacular, encompassing some of the finest coastal scenery you will ever see. Along the way are blowholes, geos (narrow sea inlets), striking seastacks, and the remains of prehistoric settlents. The path is easy to follow and the going is not difficult. One of the best walks on Orkney, and well worth the outing. Yesnaby, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Countryside Location: At the end of a minor road off the B9056. OS HY225155 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

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Photo of Longaglebe, Birsay, Mainland, is © David Ross