This short walk leads from the small Orkneyinga Saga heritage centre to 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.
Grassy clifftop path; return on minor road.
None to start; bus service to Houton.
Orkneyinga Saga Centre, on Gyre Road east of Houton.
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. Head into the cemetery beyond to find the more imposing remains of the Round Church, which was also featured in the saga.
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.
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.
Soon the path continues once more along the grassy clifftop. 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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