Cata Sand and Tres Ness, Sanday

Summary

Tres Ness is a peninsula linked tenuously to Sandy by a long spit of impressive dunes dividing Cata Sands from the Bay of Newark. This walk heads out over the sands to visit the furthest point - it is best avoided at high tide when the easiest walking below the dunes would be covered. Prepare to be dive-bombed by arctic terns in nesting season.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Grassy track and sandy beach. Final section more overgrown with some boggy patches.

Getting there

Start

Car park on south side of B9069 1.5km east of Lady.

Public Transport

Daily, ferries and flights to Sanday from Kirkwall, local bus meets ferry in summer and by arrangement in winter.

Start Grid Ref

HY703413

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 9.5km / 6 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 10m (Profile)

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Explorer 465 - Sanday, Eday, Stronsay

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk begins from a grassy parking area with a picnic bench overlooking Cata Sand, 1.5km east of Lady village. The sands are covered to resemble a lake at high tide, but at low tide they form a vast expanse. Begin by following the grassy track that heads southeast, keeping above the left edge of the sands.

Stage 2

After just under 1km the track ends and the walk continues instead along the sands themselves, always keeping to the left edge beside the dunes. The dunes become progressively higher and culminate in a final tower of sand before a section where they are almost broken through by the sea.

Stage 3

Continue across the sands - often marked by tyre tracks - until the grassy Tres Ness peninsula is reached. Watch out for arctic terns in the breeding season - they are very territorial so pass through quickly. A track here forks - keep left to keep on the east side of the complex of old farm buildings, some of which are being restored. One hexagonal building was once a horse-engine - horses inside the building would walk round to power a threshing machine. Beyond the buildings a grassy track - fairly overgrown - continues, keeping to the east side of the peninsula.

Stage 4

After another 1km a short boggier stretch is reached by a tiny lochan. The grassy mound visible to the west is all that remains of the Broch of Wasso - an iron-age fortified dwelling. Continue on the track to reach the furthest point, where there is a trig-point beside the stone wall. The low mound by the sea here is the remains of a chambered cairn - a good place to look out over a vast expanse of sea.

Stage 5

The return walk is back the same way - enjoying good views across the Bay of Newark on the first stretch, and of the towering dunes.

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