St Magnus Way: Egilsay

Summary

The first stage of St Magnus Way is a brief walk on the island of Egilsay. The route visits the ancient ruins of St Magnus' Kirk, the memorial on the site where St Magnus was martyred, and a beautiful beach on the east coast of the island. The ferry from Tingwall needs to be pre-booked for some services.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Minor road, farm tracks and paths.

Getting there

Start

Egilsay ferry pier.

Public Transport

Ferry from Tingwall via Rousay (some services only with pre-booking request).

Start Grid Ref

HY460302

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.1km / 3.25 miles
Time: 1 - 2 hours
Ascent: 50m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Start from the ferry pier, where there is a waiting room and toilets. The walk begins by walking up the road. After 800m it reaches a cross-roads of routes - you'll return here several times, but first turn left to head to the ruins of Egilsay church.

Stage 2

After 300m take a left turn to visit the church. The ruins date from 12th century and probably sits on the site of a much older church and is mentioned in the Orkneyinga saga. Magnus shared the Viking Earldom with Earl Hakon. In 1115 the two Earls had arranged a meeting on Egilsay but Hakon arrived with boatloads of men intent on killing Magnus. Magnus led his men to pray and was executed. Canonised in 1136 his remains were discovered in one of the pillars of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall in 1919.

Stage 3

Leave the church and retrace your steps back to the crossroads. Once there, turn left passing the old school and community hall which is open for visitors to use and has facilities to make a hot drink and also WiFi, very useful if the weather is poor. Continue down the track, taking a signed detour to the right through the kissing gate to visit the memorial built at the spot where St Magnus was martyred.

Stage 4

Return to the track and continue towards the coast going through a farm gate and following the, sometimes muddy track across the field to a kissing gate giving access to the sandy beach, with views out to Eday.

Stage 5

Return to the crossroads and retrace your steps back to the ferry pier, to return to Tingwall on Orkney Mainland. The next stage of St Magnus Way begins from Gurness broch, which is around 6km by road from Tingwall.

Next stage: Evie to Birsay

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