St Magnus Way: Dounby to Finstown

Summary

The fourth stage of St Magnus Way crosses the heart of western Mainland Orkney, with a landscape of farm fields and freshwater lochs. It begins with a long section of walking on tarmac, albeit on quiet minor roads. Later the route heads through Binscarth Woods - a rare Orkney woodland - to reach Finstown.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Most of the stage on tarmac; some grassy tracks. Boggier going around the Loch of Wasdale.

Getting there

Start

Dounby.

Public Transport

Dounby and Finstown are both served by bus.

Start Grid Ref

HY295207

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 16.5km / 10.25 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 120m (Profile)

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Explorer 463 - Orkney West

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

From the cross-roads at the centre of Dounby, begin by walking northeast along Hillside Road (B9057), signed for Evie. After 750m turn right onto a minor road signed for North Bigging.

Stage 2

This road usually has little traffic, winding a zig-zagging route with many sharp bends. After 1.5km it passes the fine house at Holodyke, and then turns right shortly after (stay on the road - don't take the track ahead).

Stage 3

When the route meets the A986, go straight across onto the road opposite. Follow the road for another 800m until it ends at a t-junction, then turn left along a track, passing between a house and some ruins. The track becomes grassy and leads between fields, emerging on another minor road after around 1km. Turn right onto this road.

Stage 4

The road leads down to the Merkister Hotel, then curves left to run briefly by the shores of Loch Harray. Ignore two minor roads off right, continuing for 1.7km from the hotel, then take a left turn onto a track to the left of a house (St Magnus Way marker). Keep ahead when a track joins from the left.

Stage 5

Keep straight ahead ignoring a track to the right and at some farm buildings turn left onto a signed grassy path between fences. This soon leads to St Michael's Church, Harray. The church is now private, but was built on the site of an unexcavated broch; it is worth making a detour to the top of the graveyard on the left for its extensive views. To continue the walk, take the road ahead, then turn right at the t-junction. Turn left after 250m, emerging on the A986 once more, and again go straight across. After just over 100m take the minor road off right, signed for Howe.

Stage 6

Follow the road for 1.5km to Howe Farm; it then turns right after another 500m, and reaches the A986 again after a further 600m. Turn left along this main road for 1km until it bends right, then go straight ahead on a surfaced track. Keep right when this forks; it then leads around the far side of the scenic Loch of Wasdale. Keep ahead (by the loch) at two junctions when the main track heads off left. The track now becomes quite boggy.

Stage 7

After a pedestrian gate the route leads through gorse, and then joins a better track (coming in from your left). Keep ahead, following the track into Binscarth Woods, which were planted in the nineteenth century - a real rarity on the island. When the main track swings right leave it and stay on the path ahead, through a gate and then continuing through the trees.

Stage 8

Eventually the route leaves the woods through another gate. Keep ahead through the pastures, bearing slightly right to follow the green ramp that eventually climbs up to the road in Finstown. Turn left to head through the village, keeping ahead to reach the parking area and the end of the stage.

Next stage: Finstown to Orphir

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