Orphir Bay, near Houton

Summary

This short walk begins at the small Orkneyinga Saga Heritage Centre and visits the remains of the Earl's Bu, where a great feast was held (according to the Saga). The route then runs along low coastal cliffs with views across Scapa Flow before returning along minor roads.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Grassy clifftop path; return on minor road.

Getting there

Start

Orkneyinga Saga Centre, on Gyre Road east of Houton.

Public Transport

None to start; bus service to Houton.

Start Grid Ref

HY334044

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.25km / 2 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 32m (Profile)

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Explorer 463 - Orkney West

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

Park at the Orkneyinga Saga Centre. The modern building houses information about the great Norse saga, and has an audio-visual display. Begin the walk by heading through the gate signed for Orphir Church and the Bu. The Earls' Bu was a twelfth century manor house - and featured in the saga as the setting for a murder. The foundations are still visible amidst the grass. Head into the cemetery beyond to find the more imposing remains of the Round Church, which was also featured in the Saga.

Stage 2

Leave the cemetery via a gate half way along the wall on the left side. From here bear right on a grassy path that runs towards the sea. Pass through another gate and over a makeshift footbridge to pick up a grassy path running left along the grassy banks behind Orphir Bay.

Stage 3

The path continues atop low cliffs, with views across Scapa Flow to the hills of Hoy. When there is a farm gate in a stone wall, do not pass through but instead go through a wooden gate alongside to follow a path between the wall and a fence, still parallel to the coast.

Stage 4

Soon the path continues once more along the grassy clifftop itself. Shortly before some stone storage buildings are reached a marker post indicates where to turn inland, with a fence on your left. This soon leads to a tarred lane. Turn left along this, following it for around 800m to a road junction. Turn left again here to head back along the road to the start.

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