Tor Ness is the southernmost point of Stronsay; the walk out to it also gives the opportunity to watch birds on Lea Shun, spot seals, or continue to the beach at Sand of the Crook.
Bog Factor
Grassy clifftop path, some tussocky sections; track and some boggy ground in fields.
Holland Farm and cemetery.
None to start.
HY660221
The impressive farmhouse at Holland Farm is at the end of the public road at the southern end of Stronsay, opposite a cemetery. Park carefully here, taking care not to impede any access. The walk begins through the gate adjacent to the cemetery, and heads straight down the field along a faint track.
Go through another gate at the end of the field, keeping right of a sometimes boggy, sometimes flooded area. At the coast cross the stile and turn left to walk along the coastline between the wall and shore. The route soon reaches an old wartime building - repurposed as a 'seal hide' (though not the best spot to watch seals). Continue along the coast beyond it.
A stile on the left is used on the return route. To visit Tor Ness, continue between the wall and shore; the walk is forced onto the shore briefly at one point. The going is a little tussocky in places.
Tor Ness looks south towards the prominent lighthouse on the small island of Auskerry. Round the point; if you wish, you can continue the walk to reach the beach at Sand of the Crook before beginning the return.
Retrace your steps as far as the stile mentioned earlier, then cross it and head inland beside the wall to reach the bird hide overlooking the Lea Shun, a lochan. From here head left to a stile.
Holland Farm is now visible across the field, but the direct route to it leads through boggy ground so it may be necessary to bear left to avoid this on the return.
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