58.911272,-3.351575
- Grid ref: HY222034
- Lat/long: 58.911272,-3.351575
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Photo by Chris Rodger
Photo by RSPB - Lee Shields
Photo by Chris Rodger
Photo by RSPB - Lee Shields
Photo by RSPB - Lee Shields
Photo by RSPB - Lee Shields
Wildlife awards
Hoy is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK.
Top things to do in Spring
- Walk to the Old Man of Hoy to enjoy views of spectacular sea cliffs, delicate wildflowers and spot the puffins arriving back on the cliffs
- Walk in historical footsteps along the original track to Rackwick, looking out for flowering primroses, butterworts and the impressive courtship 'skydancing' of hen harriers
- Be quiet! Take a silent moment to enjoy the evocative courtship calls of wading birds such as lapwings, curlews, redshanks and snipe at their best
Top things to do in Summer
- Walk to the Old Man of Hoy to enjoy views of spectacular sea cliffs, experience the hectic activity in the summer seabird colony and look out for orchids along the path and whales at sea
- Join the Warden for a guided walk in historical footsteps along the original track to Rackwick, looking out for hunting hen harriers, red-throated divers, prolific wild flowers and dragonflies
- Visit the Neolithic burial chamber in the Dwarfie Stone. Enjoy the dramatic landscape, and calls of fulmars from the cliffs above
Top things to do in Autumn
- Walk to the Old Man of Hoy to enjoy views of spectacular sea cliffs, purple heathers at their best and large fulmar chicks about to leave their nest ledges
- Experience the unique atmosphere at Rackwick beach, where golden sand and large pink and purple-ringed boulders are surrounded by the towering red sandstone cliffs - a truly dramatic scene, with a chance of spotting dolphins and departing seabirds offshore
- Climb to the top of the highest hill in Orkney! On a clear day from the summit of Ward Hill, you can enjoy magnificent views of all the islands in Orkney and autumn is the best time to appreciate the flowering heathers
Top things to do in Winter
- Walk to the Old Man of Hoy to enjoy views of spectacular sea cliffs and look out for returning fulmars 'dancing' on the updraft around the cliffs
- Experience the unique atmosphere at Rackwick beach, where golden sand and large pink and purple-ringed boulders are surrounded by the towering red sandstone cliffs- a truly dramatic scene, especially on a stormy winter day!
- Look out for hares in their white winter coats and wintering wildfowl such as long-tailed ducks and Slavonian grebes offshore
What's on?
Whoops! We haven't got any events planned here at the moment. Check out our main events listing to find something up your street (or at least quite near to it).
More events...