Longaglebe Geo

Longaglebe Geo sea cliffs

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.

You can park along the A966 east of Birsay, near Glebe and Northside, at grid reference HY265281. Then simply follow the track towards the coast, a few hundred level yards north. If you want to minimise walking, take the minor road along the northern edge of Northside, which will take you within a few yards of the head of the Geo.

An even more attractive alternative is to park at the very end of the road, near the causeway to the Brough of Birsay. From there follow the signed coastal path east, past Skipi (Skiba) Geo, where an old fisherman's hut is set into the cliffs. The track runs past a local landmark; a whalebone set upon a post.

There is a bench set on the clifftop, offering a welcome chance to sit and look out over the rocks below, where you can often see seals basking. From Skipi Geo the trail is a little less distinct, but it is easy going for another half mile until you reach Longaglebe.

It takes almost as long to describe the access options as it does to get there! You really can't go wrong, and a walk to the Geo makes a wonderful side-trip if you are already visiting the Earl's Palace or the monastery at Brough of Birsay. This is a beautiful location, with superb coastal scenery, and well worth a visit if the weather is fine.