A linear walk from Finstown along an old drover's road through a rare patch of Orcadian woodland before emerging onto moorland and passing the Loch of Wasdale. The time and distance given are for the return walk.
Bog Factor
Grass/earth footpaths and farm tracks.
Parking area alongside the A965 at Finstown.
Buses from Kirkwall or Stromness to Finstown.
HY356139
Start from the roadside parking spaces parallel to the A965 in the west end of Finstown, one of the largest settlements on the Mainland. Located on the main road halfway between Stromness and Kirkwall, Finstown was established around the junction of this important thoroughfare and the road to the West Mainland. Walk west along the A965 for a short distance before reaching a kissing gate on the right at the end of the pavement. Pass through this and head across the field following a wide grass track gently downhill into the valley. There are good views down towards the Ouse.
The track eventually reaches another kissing gate at the entrance to a patch of woodland - a real rarity on Orkney where the windswept terrain is not conducive to tree growth. Binscarth Wood - planted in the nineteenth century - occupies a protected position in the valley formed by Hill of Heddle in the south and the Rendall Hills in the north, and consequently is one of the only places outside Kirkwall where fully grown and formed trees can be found.
Enter the woodland to be transported to a different world, where over seven acres of broadleaved species including sycamore, ash, beech, hawthorn and ash provide a home for over 15% of the island's birds, including Orkney's largest rookery. There is a path junction a short distance into the woodland, where a gate in the wall on the left leads down to a narrow footpath following the burn. This path can wet after rain and you can remain on the main track to avoid this; otherwise, follow the burnside path as far as a small bench where it ends.
From here continue either directly uphill to the right to rejoin the main track at a gate, and aim more gradually uphill to reach a kissing gate near the far corner of the woodland, again returning you to the main track. This well-made track once formed the main road to Harray. Turn left along the track once more, soon leaving the main woodland at a gate. Just beyond it meets the access track for Binscarth House. Keep slightly right here, making sure to look up and see how the trees on the windward (left) side of the track have been stunted by the prevailing south-westerly winds to form a canopy over the track.
Continue uphill until the track takes a sharp right turn. Leave the track by bearing left along a footpath marked by a yellow arrow on a post. This path can be quite muddy in places. Look for a 2.5 metre tall burial mound on the hillside to the right - this is known as Howe Harper and rumoured locally to bring a curse upon anyone who attempts to excavate it. Continue along the gorse-lined path to reach a gate overlooking Loch of Wasdale.
A small island in the south-east corner of the loch has evidence of building remains, suggested by locals to be a chapel. When water levels are low the island can be accessed via a series of flat stones, reminiscent of the causewayed island duns of the Outer Hebrides. Go through the gate and descend along the track towards Wasdale Farm, passing through another kissing gate to enter a graveyard for rusting vehicles. Continue along the lochside track, a prime location for birdwatching thanks to the large variety of migratory birds that can be seen on the loch. Mallard, Widgeon and Teal are regular visitors, as well as Mute Swans nesting on the island.
Amble along the track as far as desired before retracing your steps to Finstown. An alternative is to continue to the layby alongside the A986 known as Refuge Corner if return transport could be arranged.
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