Noup Cliffs

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Address
RSPB Noup Cliffs, Orkney KW17 2DW, UK
Grid ref
HY392499

Discover a seabird city on a spectacular walk along the top of Noup Cliffs, 76 metres above the churning ocean. Marvel at the sights and sounds of thousands of seabirds and don't miss the delicate wildflowers which grow along this wildest of wild coastal paths.

Plan your visit

Opening times

Open at all times.

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members
Yes
Adults
Free, but donations are very welcome.
Children
Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

  • No visitor centre
  • Car park
  • Toilets off-site
  • Accessible toilets off-site
  • No Refreshments
  • Viewing point
  • Nature trails
  • Shop off-site
  • Educational facilities

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

There is no public transport to the reserve.

By bus

There is no public transport to the reserve.

By road

From Pierowall village, towards the north end of the island, turn west at the school, following the signs to Noup Cliffs. Turn left at the junction past Noltland Castle, following the road up the hill, eventually passing through Noup Farm. Follow the gravel road to the Noup Lighthouse where there is a car park at the reserve entrance. The gravel road to the reserve entrance should only be attempted in a 4x4 vehicle.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

Westray is reached by a roll on-roll off ferry from Kirkwall, which can take passengers and vehicles - visit Orkney Ferries for more information. It can also be reached by plane from Tingwall Airport - visit the Loganair site for details.

For flights and ferry information to Orkney, contact VisitOrkney at West Castle Street, Kirkwall, KW15 1GU. Website: visitorkney.com Tel: 01856 872856.

Get directions from Google Maps
RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Group booking information

Group visits are welcome, however the road past Noup Farm is a rough track and care should be taken by all vehicles. For more information, please contact the Orkney office on 01856 850176.

Schools booking information

School visits are available on our Orkney reserves on a variety of topics. Please contact the Orkney Office on 01856 850176 for further details.

What will the weather be like?

6 degrees, Heavy rain

Contact Noup Cliffs

What will you see?

Our star species

Nature spectacles

Visit in June to enjoy the frenetic activity of the seabird city at its best with the sights, sounds and smells of thousands of seabirds rushing to raise their chicks before returning to sea for the winter.

Seasonal highlights

Seabirds return to the cliffs to breed, including guillemots, gannets, puffins and kittiwakes. At the beginning of May, Arctic terns arrive to begin breeding.

The coastal plants are in full bloom along the cliff tops. You can see seabirds feeding chicks on the cliff ledges too.

Whales and dolphins, although not common, can occasionally be seen on calm days.

Fulmars and gannets can be seen offshore during the winter months. The seas can be impressive during periods of wild and stormy weather, but take care as the cliff edges are dangerous in high winds.

About Noup Cliffs

Habitat

A spectacular cliff-top walk. Marvel at the sights, sounds and smells of thousands of jostling seabirds, but don't miss the delicate wildflowers along this wild coastal path.

Conservation

We are maintaining the spectacular sea cliffs for the benefit of breeding populations of gannets, guillemots, fulmars, razorbills and puffins, while protecting the site from disturbance and introduced mammalian predators.

We monitor the breeding populations of our seabirds, and the results are fed into national monitoring schemes to help inform policy on seabird conservation measures. Our wider work on Westray also includes surveying for corncrakes and monitoring wader and tern populations across the island.

Site information

Reaching more than 76 metres above the sea, these dramatic cliffs house Orkney's largest seabird colony. The reserve is small, at only 14 hectares, but once seen, it's never forgotten!

Walk along the cliff path in the summer and you'll see an array of wildflowers, while below you on the cliffs, gannets, guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills will be nesting. Puffins are seen daily, and whales and dolphins are occasionally spotted.

Take care on the paths. The importance of the seabird cities is recognised by designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA).

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Activities and events

Leisure activities

Birdwatching, walking, photography, botany.

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