Climb to the highest point on Rousay, an excellent viewpoint, passing an impressive chambered cairn on the way. The circuit passes through the Trumland RSPB Reserve and is a good place to spot raptors and short eared owls.
Waymarked moorland path, very boggy in places, navigation skills needed in poor weather, minor road.
Daily ferries to Rousay from Tingwall.
Ferry pier, Isle of Rousay.
Regular ferries run to Rousay from Tingwall on Mainland. Near the pier is a heritage centre with information on the island and toilets. Walk up past this and bear left at the war memorial, following the road as it bends right and then turn left at the B9064 opposite the entrance to Trumland Gardens (if driving follow these instructions and park in the next layby on the right signed for Taversoe Tuick cairn). At the layby follow the sign to climb the rough track, diverting left to visit the cairn which is only one of 2 two-storey burial cairns on Orkney. It is thought to date from around 3000 BC and contained a number of skeletons and pottery items when excavated in the 1890s.
From the cairn head north east to pick up the farm track running up to Trumland Cottages. At the farm gate go through the kissing gate to head up a path running between the fence and wall. The route from here on is marked with white marker posts. At the corner turn right to pass behind the cottage and once through the gate head diagonally northeast over boggy and rough ground to reach a stile near a gate in the fence on the far side of the field.
Once over the stile the path becomes clearer but is wet underfoot in places. Follow it as it heads to the right and slightly uphill over the heather moorland. At a signed junction bear left for the Long Trail following an old peat cutting track uphill. Good views of the neighbouring island of Wyre open up behind as you climb.
Keep following the white-topped posts, forking right and staying on the main path at a junction and then zig zagging uphill with views to the Loch of Knitchen and then climbing steadily northwest to reach the small cairn and post marking the summit of Blotchnie Fiold.
From here the route to the summit of Knitchen Hill aims east to a marker post to descend a short way before traversing the side of the hill and then following the broad ridge - this is a good spot to watch for peregrine falcon, merlin, hen harriers and short eared owls. The path is faint as it winds between peat bogs but the marker posts are clear and soon the cairn and trig point of Knitchen Hill are reached.
This area is also popular with skuas which can make their presence felt very forcefully if you stray too near a nest. The Outer North Isles can all be made out on a clear day from here as well as the nearby islands of Egilsay and Wyre.
A clear path descends SSE with occasional white posts. At a telegraph pole the path aims more diagonally down to the left eventually passing behind a couple of houses (it can get overgrown here in summer) and then turn right to descend directly to the road. Turn right here to return to the pier, turning left opposite Trumland House. There is a cafe/bar near the pier as well as the heritage centre/waiting room.
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