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Home , Brims, Graemsay, Gutter Sound, Houton, Hoy, Lyness

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h The difference in terrain is g i r

y caused by the rocks. Hoy is p o

c mostly composed of Upper n w

o , overly- r

C ing the Middle Old Red Sandstone, which makes up most of the rest of . The start of the steep slopes of the Ward Hill (HY229023, 479m) and Cuilags (HY209033, 435m) mark the boundary between the two types of sandstone, which can also be clearly seen in the cliffs to the west. The horizontal beds of sand- The in 1821 by William Daniell stone have weathered to give ries at Nowt Bield and into three areas – north, west dramatic vertical red and Quoyawa on the Ward Hill, and south. The north is yellow cliffs, highest at St Enegars below Cuilags and dominated by large hills, John's Head (HY187033, small coastal ones such as deep valleys and precipitous 351m), the tallest vertical Runnarto and Stours Kinora cliffs, while the dramatic sea cliff in Britain. near the Old Man. Trowie west side also has a very Glen is a fine example of a imposing coastline, as well Hoy is perhaps most famous “hanging valley”. Terminal as a remote and largely for its Old Man moraines from glacial melt- unvisited interior. (HY177008, 137m), a great water are prominent at the rock which stands on a Sandy and in South Hoy is divided into lava flow. This hard outcrop Rackwick. Although the parishes of North and forms a skerry which pro- Orkney gets little snow, the , the latter usual- trudes about 200m out to sea Hoy Hills are often white in ly being called simply from the base of the great winter, due to their height. “Longhope” locally. The stack and has been a key fac- east and south are mostly tor in its formation. Early in Whether the visitor arrives agricultural with many shel- the 19th century there was a on foot from at tered bays and much more HOY (ON Ha-ey, High being about 20km (12.5 island is more like the second leg on the landward Moaness Pier, or by the car evidence of past human set- Island) is the largest Orkney miles) long by 9km (5.6 than side, showing how ephemer- ferry via , Hoy splits tlement. island after the Mainland, miles) wide. Most of the Orkney, only the southern al our coastal features are. MV “Hamnavoe” passing the Old Man of Hoy on her way to end being low and fertile. The Hoy Hills and from Stromness Other lava flows in the area The north and west coasts at the Kame of Hoy are bounded by spectacular (HY198049) and Too of the cliffs, while the southeast Head (HY192988) have a coast has so many bays that characteristic columnar for- the called it mation, while there is a Vagaland, Land of Voes. prominent volcanic plug at This became Scotticised into The Witter (HY224047). Wawis, and then Anglicised to Walls. The old pronunci- At the end of the Ice Age the ation of "Waas", however, Hoy Hills retained glaciers has survived. which formed the large cor-

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described as the “Garden of Orkney”. This sheltered ravine with its cascading burn holds many species of plants otherwise uncommon or extinct in Orkney.

Rackwick (ON Reka-Vik, Jetsam Bay) is a dramatic contrast to the rest of north Berrie Dale, near Rackwick, is the largest area of relict woodland in Orkney Hoy with its wide sand and boulder beach, bound on Moaness Pier is the arrival The attractive old road to both sides by 200m cliffs. point for the ferry from Rackwick from Moaness Climbers on the Old Man The 351m face of St John’s Head is the highest vertical sea cliff in UK This large and quiet glen, Stromness and . passes to the north of the which was once well popu- Old Man of Hoy The path mer times the young men of Loop, and that to the north, Overlooking Burra Sound, Ward Hill through the Vale lated with crofters and - from Rackwick to the Old Rackwick were well known The Neuk. Both are good the Bu has an interesting old of Hoy from the Sandy ermen, is now nearly desert- Man is steep at first and the for their climbing ability, places for flotsam to collect. house dating from 1615, Loch (HY219033) to the ed except for holiday homes. 6km (3.75 miles) return when they went in search of with crow-stepped gables, Ford of Hoy, passing the It has a beauty and a climate walk takes about 3 hours. birds’ eggs, using “sim- From the Old Man there are while Burra House was built Red Glen, Segal Burn and all of its own. The main Along the way there are mons” made from heather as several alternative return as a manse in 1798. Berrie Dale (ON Berg-Dalr, road to the south of the Ward panoramic views of their ropes. routes to Moaness pier, Cliff Valley) which has been Hill is convenient for a Rackwick and the Pentland depending on time and ener- return to the pier. , which are well worth It is possible to descend to gy. The energetic walk via stopping to admire. A num- the base of the cliffs in dry St John's Head, Cuilags Beware, it is also one of the ber of interesting plants weather in several places by and the Kame may be the favourite places in Orkney inhabit the slopes above the taking obvious paths down most spectacular. Leaden for the dreaded Culicoides path including Arctic the steep slopes, but this is impunctatus, or Midge. In Bearberry, Dwarf Juniper not recommended, and is compensation, Hoy is by far and Least Willow. dangerous except in dry the best place to see dragon- weather. The path to the flies and damsel flies. They There are several dramatic foot of the Old Man is called are common near pools and viewpoints from which to the “Stowar Road”. There steams in late summer. admire the Old Man, includ- is a fine rock-fishing stance The north side of Rackwick has large sandstone boulders ing from the south side of at the Trough to the seaward The spectacular beach at Rackwick has a large expanse of sand and is framed by high cliffs at each end Runnarto (HY004178, ON of the stack, while the bay to Hraun, Heap of Stones), the south is called the Sooth Dragonfly on the Dwarfie Stone from The Knee or Tuaks Mist covers the top of St John’s Head with the Old Man and Rora Head behind O’the Boy, the nearest point to the stack and Scarsa (ON Scard, Notch in a Ridge).

It was first climbed in 1966, when the event was tele- vised live, a major feat at that time. Climbers regular- ly ascend the Old Man and neighbouring cliffs, but this is not an endeavour to be undertaken lightly. In for-

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After a serious heather fire in 1984, many sub-peat dykes, together with banks and mounds suggesting a prehistoric agricultural set- tlement were revealed in the nearby Whaness Burn area (HY025245).

From the Dwarfie Stone it is The Ward Hill (481m)dominates the north of Hoy The top of the Ward Hill said that a “Carbuncle” can at times be seen on the and “Hendry’s Holes” Kame are very steep and a (HY250028) has been half northeast of the upper slopes are sites of former attempts more gentle return is via the eroded by the sea, but still of the Ward Hill during May, at lead mining, while the summit of Cuilags (435m), stands 4m high. It is in a The Sneuk from the south June and July in the late vertiginous view from the with wonderful panoramic good defensive position with evening. This is said to spectacular geos, including shingle is the Bre Brough and the nearby views, to the Sandy Loch. commanding views of Burra “shine or sparkle with light Lyrie Geo, where young final resting place of several 351m drop below Sui Fea The northeast part of Hoy is Sound and the Bring Deeps. when seen from below”, but men from Rackwick used to wrecks and much flotsam. (378m) are not for those more fertile, and there is a the source has never been catch Manx Shearwaters. Fishermen from Rackwick averse to heights. ruined or fort at Other routes back from the found by anyone climbing to The Summer of Hoy Burn and also used to pull Brough of Braebuster Old Man are to head to the seek its source. The tale (ON Sunn-moerr, South up their yoles here in fine Manx Shearwaters still nest (HY052213) as well as an summit of Moor Fea may well be fictional, espe- March or Border) when full, weather. in the craigs of Enegars old chapel and cemetery (304m) and directly back to cially as it is given promi- forms a spectacular waterfall above the Kame. The slopes near the Bu. The Green Hill Rackwick or to take a detour nence by Walter Scott, next to the Sneuk (ON into the Meadow of the of Quoyness broch to Berrie Dale woods. whose writings were not Snokr, Snout, 165m). Alternatively follow the exactly complimentary of clifftops to the dramatic red Orkney. Further south the Burn of rocks of Rora Head before Forse (ND220948) has a returning to the path. The West Coast Walk The real- large colony of Great Black- coast here has many caves ly energetic can try Orkney's backed Gulls in summer. and geos and is spectacular most spectacular walk, Little Rackwick is the first of a summer’s evening or which goes south from easily accessible beach during a winter storm. Rackwick to Torness south of Rackwick. This Arctic Bearberry (ND254884). This walk Below the Dwarfie takes in very magnificent Berry Head (175m) faces the Hammars lies an isolated cliff scenery, with very fine block of sandstone known as The Dwarfie Stone lies below the Dwarfie Hamars opposite the Ward Hill views across the Pentland the Dwarfie Stone Firth. It will take a whole The rock-cut interior of the Dwarfie Stone is very well finished (HY243004). Thought to day due to the distance date from about 3000BC, involved (12km, 7.5 miles) this rock-cut tomb has a pas- and rough terrain. With the sage and two cells and there many cliff views to admire, is a large block nearby care must be taken to leave which originally blocked the plenty of time. entrance. The marks of the stone tools used to hollow After passing “Willie out the chamber can be seen Young’s Cairn” below the and there are various inter- summit of Mel Fea (324m), esting Victorian graffiti. the route passes several

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was installed this was a ver- bay at Rackwick. Puffins e b itable graveyard for ships, nest in small numbers in p m a

especially trawlers returning grassy banks on the cliffs. C e i r

from Icelandic waters. u a

The Mountain Hare is also L In attempting to avoid the quite common in Hoy, but worst part, the “Merry Men absent from the other (Bonxie) o’Mey” or the “Auld Ebbs” Red-throated Diver islands. Conspicuous in To the south there are a of the Pentland Firth by The RSPB Hoy Nature winter in their white coats if series of geos, many with skirting the coastline of Reserve (3925ha) covers there is no snow, they revert inaccessible storm beaches, South Walls, it was all too most of the uncultivated to a normal coat in summer. caves and cliffs, before easy to miss the low-lying land in the north of Hoy. Otters are also present along Berry Head (ND237909, shores of Ha Wick and The Warden can be contact- the coastline, 175m) is reached, with its Torness and be carried ed on Tel (01856) 791298. though many more spraints Segal Burn, Vale of Hoy Purple Saxifrage flowers in March spectacular red cliffs. To the ashore by and sea. The This reserve has a variety of than animals are seen. Early east are the Berry Lochs installation of the light was habitats, ranging from the There is a huge colony of morning or late evening is fire burnt for days and trav- with Red-throated Divers in itself the probable cause of Great Skuas (1,973 pairs), the best time to look, while elled several miles right l

l the second biggest in UK round to the northwest side summer, while to the south the loss of the Johanna e suggested spots are Pegal b

p after , which will cer- of the Ward Hill, before

there are several spectacular Thorden on in 1937, m Bay, Lyrawa Bay, Mill Bay a

geos before the rough shores as the master was unaware C tainly dive-bomb if their and North Bay in Longhope. being put out. A large part e i

r nests are approached. There of a conifer plantation was

of Ha Wick with their many of the new light, mistaking it u a wrecks are reached. The for the south Swona light. L are also 72 pairs of Arctic The upland nature of Hoy destroyed in the process. small sandy beach here can Skuas, which declined has resulted in many sub- be very good for Groatie There are several other good steadily from over 400 pairs arctic or alpine plants at rel- Buckies. walks from Rackwick, of in the 1980s due to depreda- atively low altitudes. Dwarf which one is via Trowie tion from Bonxies and short- Willow, Purple Saxifrage There is an excellent sandy Glen to the Knap of Mountain Hare age of food. and Wild Azalea are all pres- beach below Melsetter (ON Trowieglen (ND240985) most northerly natural ent, while very low levels of Melr Setr, Sand Homestead), and either down Lyrawa woodland in Britain at Hoy has no Orkney Voles grazing on the moors has with sand dunes and a fine Burn or Pegal Burn Berrie Dale (HY202015) to and thus not many Hen also allowed much long walk out to the point at (ND294975) to the main the tundra-like high tops of Harriers, or Short-eared heather to develop. The Torness (ND255885), road. This wild area the hills and the sea cliffs. Owls, but Peregrine, dangers of accidental fire in where there is sometimes a includes several lochans Berrie Dale Wood has Kestrels, Merlin, Buzzards the heather were made large Arctic Tern colony in with Red-throated Divers, Hazel, Rowan, Downy Birch and even an occasional apparent in 1984 when a the breeding season. The which should not be dis- and Aspen and may reflect Golden Eagles or White- Boys' Brigade group acci- here was installed turbed during the breeding the type of vegetation, tailed Sea Eagles may be dentally set fire to the in 1937. Before the light season. which existed before the seen. Stonechats and heather near Rackwick. The Dwarf (or Least) Willow Wheatears are common arrival of the farm- Plantation below the Ward Hill which was partially destroyed by fire in 1984 Melsetter Beach with Tor Ness in the background ers. lower down, while Twite are also present on the moors. On the hills there are , Curlew, Meadow The Fulmar is the common- Pipit, Golden Plover and est bird on the high cliffs, Dunlin, while Red-throated but there are also other Diver frequent the lochs. breeding seabirds, especially These latter should only be at the north end, where there watched from a distance to is a small colony of Manx avoid predation of eggs and Shearwaters which can be chicks by Skuas. seen gathering at dusk in the

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this was changed to a twin six-pounder in 1941. No overhead protection was ever installed here. There was also a twin twelve- pounder site at Skerry, next to Bu Farm. This battery is very well preserved and was built about 1941. It affords good views across Hoy Sound. Aerial view of Lyness and AA battery in South Walls Betty Corrigall’s Grave near the Water of Hoy LYNESS (ON Hlidar ness, buildings mushroomed on be seen today (ND318938). In Burra Sound the block- On the parish boundary, near enclosure. Even the hardest Slope Ness), the site of the the landscape. HMS ship Inverlaine was a promi- Water of Hoy lies Betty heart must stop for a great Royal Naval Base Prosperine, as the base was Boom defence was very nent wreck. This 8,000 ton Corrigall’s Grave (ND2810998). moment and feel something developed in World War II, known, had civil contractors important, and the nets were tanker had struck a mine in She was a young girl who here. is in the middle of the area as well as Naval, Army and maintained at Lyness. The 1940 and was eventually committed suicide after the Vikings called Vagaland. Air Force personnel all play- wharf was too small in 1939 sunk in this position in 1944. becoming pregnant to a Nearby, on Lyrawa Hill, The flat land, with relatively ing their part in setting up and the cost of extension Although seemingly solid sailor in the 19th century. there is a panoramic view deep water close to the shore the base. The proliferation was so great that when com- the ship was moved by a She tried to drown herself over Scapa Flow from the and with much sheltered of unplanned and largely pleted in 1944, it was called storm and is now under but was saved from this, so site of a World War II anti- anchorage nearby was ideal wooden buildings would "Golden Wharf". With a water. There are the remains hanged herself in the byre. aircraft battery. Lower for such a base. Although have been an excellent target length of 185m and a least of several other blockships Tradition has it that the down at Scad Head lies a the Navy moved to Lyness for an incendiary raid, but depth of 9m, this pier could in the area, all of which are father was a local man who coastal defence gun battery. briefly in 1919, the none came. berth very large ships. also submerged. left on a whaling ship bound Initially a twelve-pounder, Longhope Hotel was their Today one pier supports a for the Nor'Wast. base during , There was a Barrage Tern colony and on another with smaller vessels moor- Balloon Centre at Ore Hill, many Tysties nest in the Since she could not be ing at Longhope, and larger which in 1941 maintained crevices. buried in hallowed ground ships north of . 81 balloons, and was sup- she was buried here on the plied with hydrogen from a The oil storage tanks on the parish boundary. In the During the 1920s and 1930s, portable unit at Rinnigill. surface were considered vul- 1930s peatcutters found the Lyness became the base for The permanent factory there nerable and in 1939 under- burial, and during the war salvage of the German fleet, took so long to build that it ground storage tanks under soldiers put a fence round Mill Bay being used to hardly saw use before the Wee Fea were started. the grave and tidied it up. beach and strip the hulks balloons left in mid-1944. Norwegian miners from The artist Harry Berry made before they were towed The remains of the factory Spitzbergen were employed south for breaking. The last and its special pier can still to excavate the huge reser- the present tombstone and Scapa Flow and Bring Deeps from Lyrawa Hill AA battery to be lifted, SMS Aerial view of Rinnigill and Ore Bay Lyness from Wee Fea Naval HQ & Communications Centre Derfflinger, lay off Rysa all Repairing boom defence netting at Lyness through World War II, not far from her erstwhile adver- sary, HMS Iron Duke, which was herself bombed and beached in 1940.

In 1939, with war looming, Lyness soon became busy and a rash of camps and

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keep a huge military estab- lishment operational.

By mid-1944, after the inva- sion of France, the base was already running down and in September 1945 many of the huts were given to the French for temporary accommodation in their war- Scapa Flow Visitor Centre, Lyness ravaged towns. Finally, on Lyness and Gutter Sound with Fara in the distance from the WWII Naval HQ and Communications Centre on Wee Fea 29 March 1957, the Lyness voirs. The first was ready in calls per day during 1943 pump house. The latter has of Germans killed during the Lyness Ferry Terminal Naval Base was officially September 1942, but it was and 1944. This impressive been converted into a muse- Scuttle, and of crew from The ferries Hoy Head and closed. August 1943 before the full building even has round um and interpretation centre, HMS Royal Oak. There are Thorsvoe operate regular 100,000 ton capacity was porthole-like windows. the pumping machinery and also graves of German sub- sailings to and from Scapa Flow Visitor Centre filled with oil. Piers were boilers having been cleaned mariners from WWI and air- and also to Flotta. Today much has been tidied also a problem but finally Anti-aircraft batteries, up and restored. crew from World War II. up at Lyness. Many of the three were built, one at searchlight batteries, radar Interpretation displays and dilapidated buildings and Rinnigill for hydrogen, the stations and supply depots small artefacts make this a NORTH AND SOUTH hut bases left from World North Pier for ferries and were all established. In very interesting visit. WALLS (ON Vagaland, War II have gone and all but supplies and the West Pier addition there were depot Land of Bays), have several one of the large oil tanks for tugs and small craft. ships, stores ships, a hospital The inside of the oil tank has very attractive valleys and have been cut up for scrap. ship, a converted train ferry been transformed into a dis- bays. Each voe has a burn The Virtually no shore facilities with a cinema onboard and play area, with an ever- running into it and Pegal has retained this tank and the and few telephone lines everything else needed to increasing selection of mili- Burn (ND295976), existed in 1939 and HMS tary equipment and artefacts Orkney's largest, is particu- Iron Duke was used as HQ. from both World Wars now larly beautiful. Sandstone Rowan at Pegal Burn Shore offices were complet- on display, including vehi- boulders have been worn ed in 1942, but it was 1943 cles, guns, searchlights and into interesting shapes along before the Naval HQ and other larger items. Outside the shore and the contrasting Communications Centre are several guns off World colour of wild flowers, burn on Wee Fea, overlooking War I German ships, AA and shore are dramatic. Lyness, was ready. This guns of the type used in There is a picnic site by the centre finally put all defence World War II, one of the pro- bridge, and the sheltered sectors in Scapa in direct pellers from HMS valley has a variety of trees communication with 270 Hampshire and some of the shrubs and wild flowers. staff handling nearly 9,000 railway stock used on the Scapa Flow Visitor Centre, Lyness - Pumping House Eroded rocks at Pegal Burn “Golden Wharf” in World Propeller raised from HMS Hampshire WWI German gun at Scapa Flow Visitor Centre, Lyness War II. Pegal Bay and Scapa Flow

Lyness Naval Cemetery (ND301947) is the last rest- ing place for brave naval personnel from many famous incidents. There are graves of people who died at Jutland, on HMS Hampshire, HMS Vanguard,

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Melsetter and the Pentland Firth from Binga Fea up to the underground oil The walls are harled with tanks, passing on the way sandstone dressings and the Naval HQ and gables have crow-steps. The Communications Centre and roof is slate, while Longhope Lifeboat memorial Longhope Lifeboat is now based at Longhope Pier one of Orkney's rare conifer the light and airy interior Longhope Lifeboat Station rescues of crews from the the artist Ian Scott of North plantations, well sheltered remains mostly original. (ND291887) at Brims is Ben Barvas on the Pentland Ronaldsay, was erected in from the west. There is a paved courtyard now a museum, with its Skerries in 1964 and the the Osmondwall Cemetery prime exhibit the former Ross Puma at Little in honour and memory of Melsetter House (ND270893) lifeboat Thomas McCunn, Rackwick in 1968. On 17 the disaster. and Rysa Lodge were the Watson boat which March 1969, the lifeboat designed by William served here from 1933 to TGB was capsized in violent The headland of Brims Ness Lethaby for the Middlemore 1962. This craft undertook seas, with the loss of all 8 (ON Brim, Surf) has a family in Arts and Crafts several daring and dramatic crew while on a mission to rugged west coast, which style. At Melsetter the orig- rescues and is now in course save the crew of the Liberian was the graveyard of many inal L-shaped house from of . The crews freighter Irene during a very sailing ships. The only 1738 was incorporated into Victorian mail box and boats here have saved strong southeasterly gale. A known on the 1898 design, and the over 500 lives since being bronze statue, designed by Hoy is at Duncan’s Geo whole forms perhaps the and a fine old walled garden established in 1874. In Melsetter House Chapel most attractive country as well as a small chapel many long and difficult A good panorama of the house in Orkney, which was dedicated to St Colm and services rescues were car- whole of south Hoy, Scapa described by William Margaret. The chapel roof is ried out with much skill by Flow and the Pentland Firth Morris’ daughter as “a sort a vault of unreinforced con- the crews, who until 1926 can be had from Wee Fea of palace on the edge crete in the shape of an had only oar and sail as (ND288942). A road goes of the northern seas”. upturned boat. Nearby, the power. farmhouses echo the boat Melsetter House was built in 1898 in “Arts and Crafts” style theme and are also worth a Coxswain Dan Kirkpatrick look. Visits are by appoint- was perhaps the most ment only, Tel (01856) deserving of fame with his 791352. Aith Hope from The Longhope Lifeboat Museum, Brims Longhope Lifeboat Museum, Brims North Bay, the inner part of Longhope, is very shallow, and is excellent for waders, and wintering wildfowl, while a flock of Barnacle Geese overwinters in this area. Otters frequent the shores, and seals are always present.

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(ND287878). Wall facings can still be seen as well as four orthostats, one of which may be the back-slab.

Nearby The Skeo Broch occupies a very good van- tage point over the western approaches to the Pentland Firth. Part of the tower can be made out, as well as an Moodie family mausoleum in Osmondwall cemetery outer bank and ruined out- Faith, but relented when for their architectural and Graffiti in the Martello Tower at Hackness overlooking Sound buildings. Just along the Olaf prepared to decapitate historic interest and the Patrick Stewart had a small As in 1914 and 1939, Scapa The battery nearby had eight shore the ruined Chapel of his young son. The keepers’ cottages are now warship, the Dunkirk, osten- Flow defences were non- 24-pounder guns covering Brims (ND283883) meas- says that high class self-catering sibly to defend against pri- existent at the time of great- Switha and Cantick Sounds ures about 9m by 3m inter- though converted, Sigurd units. There are sweeping vateers in the early 1600s, est danger and fully effec- and was protected by an nally and is surrounded by continued to use the Raven, views of the Pentland Firth but which may well have tive only after peace was embankment and stone para- an enclosure. the symbol of Odin, on his from here. Pods of Orcas been used for some inde- declared. The 10m towers pet. Behind the guns were banner, so perhaps he was have been seen close-in on pendent of his own. contain living accommoda- the barracks and stores, Osmondwall, (ON Asmunda- not a very pious convert. several occasions. During times of war US and tion for the gun crew, a mag- while the magazine was par- Vagr, Asmund’s Bay of the French vessels were autho- azine below and a revolving tially underground and sur- Orkneyinga Saga), or Cantick Head Lighthouse Hacksness Martello Tower rised to terrorise enemy, i.e. gun carriage on top. The 24- rounded by a blast-wall. Hope, is the first sheltered (ND347894) was the fourth and Battery (ND339112), British shipping, and pre- pounder gun had a 360º arc bay after Cantick Head, and tower to be built in the along with another tower on sented a severe threat to of fire and a very good view In 1866 the guns were a very useful anchorage for 1850s in Orkney. The light the north side at Crockness, trade. of any approaching ships. replaced with more powerful ships using the Pentland was completed in 1858 by was built between 1813 and Firth. The presence of sev- David Stevenson and was 1815 to guard Longhope eral brochs and religious designed to make for safer against attack by American sites, as well as fertile passage into Longhope and Privateers during the ground, indicate that this Scapa Flow from the west. It Napoleonic Wars. The area was attractive to early was made automatic in United States had declared settlers. 1991. The 22m tower has 49 war against Britain in 1812 steps, while the light has a and due to the threat of It was here that King Olaf nominal range of 18 miles. action by the French in the Tryggvason forcibly caused Channel many vessels were to be and accom- taking the northabout route baptised in 995. Sigurd modation are grade B listed through the Pentland Firth. refused to give up the Old Hackness Gun Battery Magazine with blast-wall Hackness Martello Tower magazine Ships collected at Longhope Cantick Head Lighthouse was completed in 1853 until a warship escort Hackness Martello Tower 68-pounder gun Hackness Martello Tower barrack room arrived and were vulnerable to attack while they waited. Escorted convoys became standard practice during this time.

These officially-sanctioned pirates had been a danger for centuries. Indeed Earl

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SOUTH ISLES - HOY SOUTH ISLES - HOY, THE HIGH ISLAND

Established 1911 HOY THE HOY HOY ATTRACTIONS JMF GROAT SERVICES & SONS LTD HOTEL HOY Getting to Hoy The Orkney North Hoy Nature Reserve Lyness, Hoy Ferries car ferries Hoy Head and Ward Hill Licensed General Thorsvoe run numerous services Whaness Burn every day from Houton in . Merchants, Post Office, Centrally located near Dwarfie Stone Fuel and Gas, Haulage Advance booking is essential for Berrie Dale the Lyness ferry termi- and Delivery Service vehicles, Tel (01856) 811397. See Rackwick current timetable for details. Supplying your needs nal. Five bedrooms all Rora Head Old Man of Hoy during your visit to Hoy en-suite. Where to Eat and Drink St John’s Head Bar and Restaurant Stromabank Hotel, in Longhope - Cuilags Anchorfast Buildings, small family-run hotel serving South Road, Lyness, Braebuster Broch Longhope, HOY evening meals and lunches at The Witter Hoy, Orkney KW16 3NT weekends in summer Tel (01856) Tel (01856)701272 Chapel & cemetery, Bu Tel (01856)791386 701494 Royal Hotel, Longhope - Greenhill Broch, Whaness Fax (01856)701251 Tel/Fax (01856) 791377 traditional pub serving meals Tel (01856) 701276 Scapa Flow WEST COAST Longhope Pier is home to a variety of boats including there Orkney yoles [email protected] Visitor Centre Cafe, Lyness (sum- Mel-Fea 68-pounder guns firing the island. The walls of the Wildlife There are several mer only) War II sites of interest Lyrie Geo through embrasures and towers are 3m thick on the interesting areas around the Summer of Hoy Tours and Local Transport extra accommodation was seaward and 2m thick on the shore, especially from including anti-aircraft posi- Candle of the Sneuk tions, and the remains of a Several operators run taxis, Little Rackwick provided at the battery. landward side. The Cantick Head along the minibuses and tours. See the latest Low radar sta- Heldale Water During World War I the Hackness Tower and Battery south coast to Aith Hope and “Islands” brochure for details. Hoglinns Water tion near the Stromabank The Berry tower was used as a signal are now under the care of the west side of Brims Ness. Shops & Fuel JMF Groat in station, while in World War Historic , and con- Now owned largely by the Hotel. This was one of sev- Ha Wick eral such sites around Longhope is the main general store Torness II a radar scanner was siderable renovation has Scottish Wildlife Trust and and petrol station. Tel (01856) Melberry& Sands Geo Orkney which could detect 701272 There is no shop in the mounted on top. Stone for taken place, including the managed to preserve the NORTH WALLS the fortifications came from reinstallation of a 68- maritime heath, the Hill of low-flying aircraft and north of the island. ships. Water of Hoy Bring Head in the north of pounder gun on the parapet. White Hamars is a blaze of Betty Corrigall’s Grave colour in early summer. Lyrawa Hill viewpoint is one of the Scad Head Lyrawa Burn and Bay many plants to be seen in the STROMABANK HOTEL Pegal Burn and Bay maritime heath here. Lyness Scapa Flow Visitor Centre Brochs At The Green Hill Lyness Naval Cemetery Wee Fea viewpoint of Hesti Geo (ND337890) a Crockness Martello Tower mound covers a large broch, Binga Fea viewpoint some of which has been Melsetter House North Bay Spring Squill Primula scotica eroded by the sea. The Brims Green Hill of Hestigeo is a large broch mound near Cantick Head remains of an outer bank and Lifeboat Museum outbuildings can be made Duncan’s Geo chambered cairn out. Further small brochs at Situated ear Longhope Village with expansive views of The Skeo Broch Chapel of Brims Outer Green Hill on the the islands and the Pentland Firth. Conservatory SOUTH WALLS way to Cantick Head and Restaurant and four en-suite bedrooms - one suitable for the disabled. The Stromabank Hotel is an ideal and com- Green Hill, Longhope show Longhope fortable base from which to explore Hoy. Hill o'White Hammars Reserve the importance of the area in Green Hill Broch Iron Age times. Stromabank Hotel, Longhope, Orkney KW16 3PA Outer Green Hill Broch Tel (01856) 701494 Hackness Martello Tower & Battery [email protected] Osmondwall Cemetery WWII sites South Walls Green Hill of Hestigeo Broch has several remaining World www.stromabank.co.uk Cantick Head Lighthouse

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