Mull Head and the Brough of Deerness

Summary

Mull Head is a wild headland at the tip of Deerness and offers one of Orkney Mainland's finest coastal circuits. The route begins with a dramatic gloup, has impressive cliffs and wonderful sea views - but the highlight is the narrow path leading out onto the historic Brough of Deerness. The walk can be extended by linking with the Covenanters' Memorial route.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Grassy clifftop path, boggier on return. Slightly exposed path with chain to Brough of Deerness can be omitted.

Getting there

Start

Mull Head reserve car park.

Public Transport

Bus from Kirkwall to Deerness is 2km from start of the walk.

Start Grid Ref

HY589078

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 6.8km / 4.25 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 230m (Profile)

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Explorer 461 - Orkney East

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

There is a car park for the Mull Head local nature reserve at the very end of the road through Deerness. Before starting the walk proper, it's worth visiting the reserve interpretative centre by walking along the track ahead and then taking a left. Return to the car park, then take the improved path that leads from the information board directly towards the sea. Soon the Gloup is reached - Gloup is a word of Norse origin describing a collapsed sea cave or large blow hole. The Gloup here has a viewing platform at each end - the inland one giving a view of the archway that links the Gloup to the sea.

Stage 2

At the coast pass through a gate and then bear left to continue just back from the clifftop (there's an alternate path slightly more inland). After around 800m the coast changes direction and there are views ahead to an almost detached headland - the Brough of Deerness. Continue on the path until a signpost indicates the route out onto the Brough - first down steps to the shore, then up a narrow exposed path climbing across the southern cliff. Although exposed, there is a chain handrail against the cliffs to aid passage - though care is needed.

Stage 3

The extensive grassy top of the Brough was once a Viking settlement, and various faint mounds can still be seen. The most obvious ruin now is that of a chapel. Built in the 10th century, though it later fell into disuse and was refounded in the 11th or 12th century, before falling into disrepair by the 16th century. As well as its archaeological remains, the Brough offers views of some superb cliff scenery.

Stage 4

Retrace your steps back to the main path before continuing the walk along the coastline. Soon the route passes through a kissing gate and runs around the back of a bay and Lang Geo. After a second kissing gate the path leads behind a very narrow geo before continuing to the Chip of the Mull, from where views extend to the northern Orkney isles.

Stage 5

From the Chip the path switches west and climbs up to Mull Head itself - bypassing the trig point, which is set just back from the cliffs. Back on the coast path, the path heads down the other side of the peninsula, passing round the back of Ramna Geo.

Stage 6

The path is a little less distinct and boggier on this stretch of coast. Continue along the clifftops, now with views towards the Covenanters' Memorial further along the coast. This can be done as an extension to this walk.

Stage 7

Just before a boardwalk, a sign ('Mull Head footpath') indicates where to turn left away from the coast. Follow a path uphill, keeping to the left of a fence. Further up the path turns right through a kissing gate, then left onto a track (with an old mill visible to the right). When the track reaches a junction, go through a gate directly ahead and continue between two fences - it can be boggy. The route then cuts left, soon rejoining a track. When this turns right, go left through a kissing gate onto a path. Further on this bends right to return to the car park.

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