Whitemill Bay circuit, Sanday

Summary

Cross the white sands of Whitemill Bay before continuing along the coast, popular with birds and flowering plants, before heading inland past old farm buildings to return along the minor road.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Sandy beach, rough shoreline path (can be overgrown in summer), minor road

Getting there

Start

Whitemill Bay, parking area at road end.

Public Transport

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

Start Grid Ref

HY687465

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 4.5km / 2.75 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 5m (Profile)

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Explorer 465 - Sanday, Eday, Stronsay

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

There is a small parking area and information board at the end of the minor road at Whitemill Bay (turn off the B9068 at Burness). From here either head onto the sand and bear right (or if you prefer head to the right along the top of the dunes where a stile leads to a faint path).

Stage 2

The rocks at Whitemill Point are popular with seals and during the nesting season you may also see fulmars nesting at the edge of the dunes. Just before the point head up from the beach onto the dunes and follow the faint path along the top. There are many flowering plants here which make it very colourful in summer although it can get a little overgrown.

Stage 3

Pass a mound which maybe the one referred to in local folklore as the home of a Hogboon, or imp. He is said to have bullied the inhabitants of Helliehow and caused them to move. However no sooner had they set out than they discovered the Hogboon had hidden in their belongings and was coming with them. Follow the stony ground along at the edge of the pebble bank eventually passing the deserted farm buildings at Helliehow, some barns have their stone roofs intact.

Stage 4

At a fence a slightly clearer track runs on the seaward side of the fence, follow this and turn right to stay on it when it heads inland going through a gate with a stile adjacent. The wide track can be overgrown in summer. Ortie is to the left, built as a model crofting township in the 19th century it once had 15 thriving crofts supporting about 70 people but was deserted in 1876.

Stage 5

Pass to the left of the old crofthouse at Howbell, keeping an ear out for the rasping call of the concrake which has recently returned to breed on Sanday, preferring areas of yellow flag iris. At the gate and stile go straight ahead onto the farm track which soon leads to the minor road. Turn right here to return to the parking area.

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