This short walk explores part of the west coast of Eday with a chance to visit the sandy Bay of Doomy and the Bay of Newark.
Bog Factor
Coastal and moorland path, can be very boggy in places, stiles and one gate that may have to be climbed.
Eday Heritage & Visitor Centre, B9063.
Request bus runs on Thursdays, book on 01857 622206 .
HY564350
Start from the imposing old Baptist chapel on the main road north which now houses Eday's Heritage and Visitor Centre (open summer only), found on the B9063 north of the youth hostel and Eday's London airport. Start by going over the stile at the back of the building (signed coastal path), near the wind turbine, and follow the faint path west through the heather as it stays close to the fence.
Cross the next stile and turn left to reach a gate in the corner of the fences and stone wall, skirting round a pool to reach the gate. Go through this and straight ahead staying close to the stone wall and go through the next gate and continue ahead to the coast. Here the walk turns right but you can detour over rough ground to the left to visit the Sands of Doomy. You may also be able to make out a turf bank that runs from the bay to the youth hostel building, a legacy from the 19th century when Eday was owned by two different lairds.
Heading north along the coast there is only a faint path. The first gate may have to be climbed and then there are stiles that keep you near the sea. The remains of a couple of boat nousts can be seen near the shore. Noust is a Norse word used to describe recesses with stone walls built to house fishing boats hauled out of the water. There are also good opportunities to watch birds, spot seals or perhaps an otter.
Continue along the coast as far as the Bay of Newark. From here the island of Faray can be seen across the water. It was inhabited until 1947 and although now only lived on by sheep its population is swelled in the autumn by a large breeding colony of grey seals. Return along the coast and the path to the Heritage Centre to retrace the outward route to the start.
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