Visit Hoy

Hoy & Graemsay

  • Bay of Quoys
  • Bog cotton
  • Cliffs at Rackwick
  • Clouds over Hoy
  • Costa head cliffs
  • Ferry with Hoy beyond
  • Graemsay Lighthouse
  • Hoy cliffs
  • Hoy cliffs
  • Old Man of Hoy
  • Old Man of Hoy
  • Old Man of Hoy
  • Rackwick
  • Rackwick
  • Rackwick cottage
  • St Johns head cliffs
  • St Johns head cliffs
  • St Johns head cliffs

visit orkney hoy and graemsay map

Hoy means 'High Island' from the Old Norse 'HAEY'. It is the second largest island in Orkney at 57 square miles. The north and west are hilly and more 'Highland' in character where as the south and east low-lying and fertile and more typical of Orkney in general.

Hoy is steeped in history with sites which date from prehistoric times, through the Viking period and into the 20th century. Here you'll find the only rock-cut chambered tomb in Britain and discover Hoy's key role in British maritime history. Many people were stationed in Hoy in the wartime.

The richness of heritage is equalled by a treasure trove of natural history, for example you'll find plant communities normally associated with mountain areas. An ornithologist's paradise, a number of northern species can be seen in a natural setting which has few equals in Britain. Much of North Hoy makes up the RSPB Hoy Nature Reserve.

Hills and stunning sea cliffs offer excellent hillwalking, the west coast in particular is one of spectacular natural beauty. The dramatic summits of Ward Hill and the Cuilags stand in splendid contrast to the rest of Orkney and can be seen from almost anywhere on Orkney Mainland.

  1. The Dwarfie Stane - The only rock-cut tomb in Britain, thought to date back to 3000BC. According to Sir Walter Scott it was the residence of the ‘Trolld', a legendary Norse dwarf.  The stone features some interesting Victorian graffiti including Latin and Persian lettering.

  2. Ward Hill - At 1570 feet (479m) this is Orkney's highest hill and the neighbouring Cuilags has a sub-arctic, glaciated environment attracting geologists, botanists and hillwalkers. Terrific views from the hill look out towards Caithness in the south and to the rest of the Orkney Islands in the north.

  3. Rackwick - This crofting township is considered one of the most beautiful places in Orkney. Bounded by towering 200m cliffs and steep heathery hills, Rackwick Valley rests beside a fine sand and boulder strewn beach. It has a beauty and climate all of its own. The walk to the Old Man of Hoy starts here. Rackwick is a good place for campers with a traditional bothy building open to the use of the public. The kind of life lead by people in the isolated valley has been captured in one of the old crofts, which has been left in its original condition and is now open as a museum called the Crow's Nest.

  4. Berriedale Wood - The most northerly woodland in Britain; pollen analysis suggests that woodland of this type was more widespread in Orkney around 5000BC. This sheltered ravine with its cascading burn holds many species of plants otherwise uncommon or extinct in Orkney.

  5. HoyThe Old Man of Hoy - Famous 450 foot sea stack, first climbed in 1966 in a televised assault, is perhaps Orkney's most famous landmark. Allow 3 hours for the round trip walk from Rackwick to the Old Man of Hoy. Please take note that the walk follows a rough track and is moderatley demanding.  The Old Man can also be seen from the daily Scrabster-Stromness ferry route.

  6. Cliff Walking on HoySt John's Head - The highest vertical sea cliff in Britain. The first direct ascent was made in 1970 by Edward Ward Drummond and companion who spent six nights on the face sleeping in hammocks.

  7. Broch of Braebister - This promontory provided protection for an Iron Age fort built some 2000 years ago. Remains are still visible in the form of a six to nine foot high mound.

  8. Graemsay - Graemsay is quite different to any other island in Orkney and has a charm all to itself. Covered in wild flowers in summer it makes for a very pleasant visit. Graemsay has a lovely, sandy beach which faces the Orkney mainland.  The ferry which serves Moaness in North Hoy, also serves Graemsay.

  9. LighthouseHoy High & Hoy Low Lighthouses - In the late 1840’s 2 lighthouses were built to act as leading lights to the western approaches of Hoy Sound to clear submerged Bow Rock of Hoy and Kirk Rocks of Warbeth.     

  10. Betty Corrigall's Grave - A young girl from Lyness abandoned, pregnant, by a visiting sailor last century, took her own life and was buried away from hallowed ground on the parish boundary. In the 1930’s peat-cutters found the burial and during the war soldiers put a fence round the grave and tidied it up. Surely one of Britain's loneliest graves.

  11. Scad Head Viewpoint - A wonderful panorama of Scapa Flow and Orkney Mainland.

  12. Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery - Here rest the heroes from some of the most famous incidents in modern naval history - the Battle of Jutland (1916]; HMS Hampshire sunk by a mine off Birsay (1916); explosion of the Vanguard off Flotta (1917) and the Royal Oak torpedoed in Scapa Flow (1939). There are also graves of German submariners from WWI and aircrew from WWII.

  13. Lyness Naval Base & Scapa Flow Visitor Centre - Scapa Flow was a key anchorage for the Royal Navy in both World Wars. The Oil pump house at Lyness naval base has been converted into an interpretation centre reliving the history of the base.  This popular centre also has a café and is next to the Lyness Ferry Terminal. Open Mon - Fri all year round (also weekends May - September). Entry to the museum is free, but donations are accepted.

  14. Martello Towers and Longhope Battery - The Martello Towers were constructed between 1813 and 1815 and built as protection for the Baltic convoys. Renovated in 1866 they were used during World War I as a signal station, while in WWII a radar scanner was built on top. The 10m towers contain living accommodation for the gun crew, a magazine below and a revolving gun carriage on top. The gun had a 360 degree arc of fire and a very good view of any approaching ships.

    The battery had 8 pounder guns and was protected by an embankment and stone parapet. Behind the guns were the barracks and stores. The site is now maintained by Historic Scotland and is open to the public April - October.  t: 01856 701727. There is an entry charge, but owners of an Historic Scotland Explorer Pass can use their pass for entry.

  15. Melsetter House - Largely constructed in 1898 by the famous architect W. R. Lethaby in the Arts and Crafts style. It has one of the oldest gardens in Orkney. A private house with visits by appointment. Tel: 01856 791352.

  16. Osmondwall - This was a favourite Viking anchorage where in 955 Jarl Sigurd the Stout was given his famous choice - baptism into the Christian faith or decapitation. He chose baptism!

  17. Longhope Lifeboat Memorial - At Osmondwall the Kirkhope burial ground is dominated by the lone bronze figure of a lifeboatman, erected in honour of the eight-man crew of the TGB which capsized in violent seas, with the loss of all 8 crewmen, March 17, 1969.

  18. Moodie Burial Place - The Moodie family owned most of Walls parish from the late 16th century until 1820.

  19. Cantick Head Lighthouse - First lit in 1858 it was built by David Stevenson to mark the southern entrance to Scapa Flow. The Lighthouse and accommodation at grade B listed for their architectural and historic interest.

  20. Green Hill of Hesti Geo - This large green mound, not far from the Candle of Snelsetter, contains an unusually large broch. There are two gloups nearby.

  21. Longhope Lifeboat Station - Situated at Brims in South Walls, Longhope Lifeboat station opened in 1834 and has saved over 500 lives. The station is now a museum. For more information phone 01856 701332.  The museum is free to visit.

  22. Wee Fea Viewpoint - Great for views of the whole of South Hoy, Scapa Flow and the Pentland Firth.

Ferry timetable

Ferry TimetableVisit the Orkney Ferries website for a comprehensive list of the latest published island ferry timetables. Alternatively you can call the free Orkney Ferries travel hotline on +44 (0)800 011 3648 for up-to-date sailing information.

Island guide

Island GuideDownload the Hoy and Graemsay island guide here - 351kb