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Beaches
in Orkney.

It’s 21:32 in Orkney.
Orkney

Sand by a barrier, boulders on Hoy.

Orkney's beaches come with a story attached. On the road south from Kirkwall, a long, sheltered stretch of sand built up behind one of the wartime Churchill Barriers, and the wreck of a blockship still lies in the bright blue water in front of it. Across on Hoy, a small bay of sand and giant boulders sits under towering red sandstone cliffs, beside a scatter of stone crofts, and the walk to the Old Man begins there. For Hoy, take the passenger ferry from Stromness, and bring a warm layer even in July.

All places to visitDistilleriesMuseumsStanding stones
Beach of the day17 hours ago

Rackwick Bay.

A remote bay of sand and giant boulders on Hoy, under red sandstone cliffs, where the walk to the Old Man begins.

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Lunch12 hours agoOrkneyPolly Kettle1.8 milesOrkneyThe Murray Arms3.1 milesOrkneyRobertsons Coffeehoose Bar3.7 miles

Lunch near Glimps Holm Beach.

The three good places closest to it: Polly Kettle, The Murray Arms and Robertsons Coffeehoose Bar.

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From our guide8 hours ago

The Old Man of Hoy.

The Old Man of Hoy is a tower of red sandstone rising 137 metres out of the Atlantic off the west coast of Hoy. Chris Bonington, Rusty Baillie and Tom Patey first climbed it in 1966, and a live television broadcast of more climbs the following year made it famous. You do not need to climb it to feel its pull. A good path runs from Rackwick Bay along the cliffs to a viewpoint facing the stack, and keen walkers can carry on to the great cliff of St John's Head. Stay well away from the edge.

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From our guide3 hours ago

Yesnaby.

Yesnaby is the wild side of the Mainland. The road ends at a small car park above the cliffs, a few miles south of Skara Brae. From there a coastal path leads south past rocky inlets to Yesnaby Castle, a slender sea stack with a natural arch through it. In a westerly gale the waves crash into the rocks with enormous force. On a calm summer day, look for seabirds and the tiny Scottish primrose in the clifftop turf. The edges are loose and can be slippery, so keep well back.

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