15 Short Walks on the Orkney Islands

By Graham Uney

Would you like to explore the best of the Orkney Islands? This guidebook covers 15 of the best short walks in the area (between 3.5 and 10.5km), including Kirkwall Town, Skara Brae, Brough of Deerness, Marwick Head, Stromness, the Old Man of Hoy, Graemsay, Rousay, Eday, Westray and Stronsay.

Why choose this guidebook?

• Easy to moderate walks suitable for almost everyone
• Short climbs but no challenging terrain
• Numbered points which tie maps to clear route description
• Details of public toilets and refreshments along the route
• Route Summary Table to help you choose your walk

Cicerone’s Short Walks guidebooks contain everything you need to get outdoors and discover the best of an area. The short walks are perfect if you’re new to walking or looking for something you can enjoy with the whole family. Let the adventures begin!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cicerone Press
• Release date: May 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9781787651302

Graham Uney

Graham Uney's love of wild places and wildlife has taken him to all corners of the world. Today, having had 19 books published he continues to work on new titles, as well as finding time to focus on his mountaineering instruction business ( www.grahamuneymountaineering.co.uk ). From his home in Cumbria Graham offers a wide range of skills courses for walkers, mountaineers, and climbers, including providing training and assessment courses for Mountain Leaders. Graham is a full member of the Mountain Training Association, and the Association of Mountaineering Instructors. He's also a full member of the Alpine Club, and the Fell and Rock Climbing Club.

Book preview

About the Author

Graham Uney is an established guidebook writer and author, and runs a guided walks and mountaineering business. Graham has travelled extensively throughout the Orkney Islands, especially when he lived in neighbouring Shetland, and ran wildlife and walking tours throughout these islands. He has written guidebooks to walking on the Orkney and the Shetland Islands. He now lives in the Lake District with his partner.

www.cicerone.co.uk/authors

SHORT WALKS ON THE ORKNEY ISLANDS

by Graham Uney

JUNIPER HOUSE, MURLEY MOSS,

OXENHOLME ROAD, KENDAL, CUMBRIA LA9 7RL

www.cicerone.co.uk

© Graham Uney 2024

First edition 2024

ISBN 9781787651302

Printed in China on responsibly sourced paper on behalf of Latitude Press Ltd

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

© Crown copyright 2024 OS PU100012932

All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.

Updates to this guide

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Any updates that we know of for this guide will be on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk/1193/updates), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about transport, accommodation and shops locally. We are always grateful for updates, sent by email to [e-mail] or by post to Cicerone, Juniper House, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, LA9 7RL.

Register your book: To sign up to receive free updates, special offers and GPX files where available, register your book at www.cicerone.co.uk.

CONTENTS

Map key

Overview map

Using this guide

Route summary table

Introduction

Walking on the Orkney Islands

Special things to see

Bases and places to stay

Getting there and around

The walks

1. Kirkwall town trail and the Peerie Sea

2. Wideford Hill and chambered cairn

3. Skara Brae and the Bay of Skaill

4. Brough of Deerness and Mull Head

5. Marwick Head

6. Brough of Birsay and the Earl’s Palace

7. Yesnaby Castle and the Brough of Bigging

8. Stromness and the Sands of Warebeth

9. Hoy: The Old Man of Hoy

10. Graemsay: Island circuit

11. Rousay: Mid Howe Cairn and Broch

12. Rousay: Faraclett Head

13. Eday: Ward Hill

14. Westray: Noup Head

15. Stronsay: Vat of Kirbuster

Useful information

Walkers enjoying sea views at Yesnaby Castle (Walk 7)

USING THIS GUIDE

Routes in this book

In this book you will find a selection of easy or moderate walks suitable for almost everyone, including casual walkers and families with children, or for when you only have a short time to fill. The routes have been carefully chosen to allow you to explore the area and its attractions. Although there may be some climbs there is no challenging terrain, but do bear in mind that conditions can sometimes be wet or muddy underfoot. A route summary table is included to help you choose the right walk.

Clothing and footwear

You won’t need any special equipment to enjoy these walks. The weather in Britain can be changeable, so choose clothing suitable for the season and wear or carry a waterproof jacket. For footwear, comfortable walking boots or trainers with a good grip are best. A small rucksack for drinks, snacks and spare clothing is useful. See www.adventuresmart.uk.

Walk descriptions

At the beginning of each walk you’ll find all the information you need:

start/finish location, with postcode and a what3words address to help you find it

parking and transport information, estimated walking time, total distance and climb

details of public toilets available along the route and where you can get refreshments

a summary of the key highlights of the walk and what you might see

Timings given are the time to complete the walk at a reasonable walking pace. Allow extra time for extended stops or if walking with children.

The route is described in clear, easy-to-follow directions, with each waypoint marked on an accompanying map extract. It’s a good idea to read the whole of the route instructions before setting out, so that you know what to expect.

Maps, GPX files and what3words

Extracts from the OS® 1:25,000 map accompany each route. GPX files for all the walks in this book are available to download at www.cicerone.co.uk/1193/gpx.

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