Yesnaby, Orkney Mainland
★★★★
From the Brough of Birsay at one end to Stromness at the other, the western coastline of Orkney Mainland has a superb array of scenery. One of the most dramatic sections is at Yesnaby, with grand sandstone cliffs, geos, caves and sea stacks just south of the car park at a ruined gun battery left over from World War II. One of the highlights is Yesnaby Castle: balancing on a two-footed plinth, it’s the second most spectacular sea stack on Orkney after the Old Man of Hoy. This short walk is a good option whatever the weather, although perhaps best on a wild day with boiling seas, when huge waves smash into the base of the cliffs and drench passers-by with sea spray.
Chronological photo guide
Location
O.S. Grid Reference: HY 221161
GPS coordinates: 59.024826,-3.358728
No public transport within 1 mi
Car park
Key info
3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 50 m |
1 hr
Features:
Brough of Bigging;
⬤ Easy | Rough paths with cliff edges nearby.
Irregular walk shape: start – Brough of Bigging – Point of Qui Ayre – Yesnaby Castle – return by outward route, omitting minor headlands
On our last visit
Wildlife: A few fulmars and other seabirds; a couple of seals at the Brough of Bigging.
Weather: Overcast with spots of rain in the strong wind.
July 2016
