West Mainland
The West Mainland of Orkney can offer the visitor a richness and variety of attractions that few other places can match. Here you will find the parishes of Birsay, Evie, Firth, Harray, Orphir, Rendall, Sandwick and Stenness and the villages of Dounby and Finstown.
Running through the rich farm land, there is also hill and moorland scenery to compare favourably with anywhere else in Britain. Here, there is a wide variety of plant and birdlife of interest to naturalists and ornithologists from many parts of the world. Spectacular cliff scenery along the Atlantic coastline, again full of birdlife during the summer months, contrasts with sheltered sandy bays -ideal for artists, photographers, walkers and sightseers. Well-preserved prehistoric settlements provide a stark reminder that early settlers of these islands lived in circumstances differing greatly from today's inhabitants who live in very up-to-date dwellings. The West Mainland also contains some of the best-known wild brown trout fishing lochs in Northern Scotland.
Brough of Birsay – Cross the causeway at low tide to visit the Brough of Birsay. Explore the remains of a Norse settlement and church. Walk to the far side of the islands to Brough Head where a lighthouse stands tall and its also a great view point for sea watching during bird migration times also keep and eye open for whales passing by. The Brough can also be a great place to find puffins from May – July. Check with Tourist Information Centre for tide times.
St Magnus Church - Built in 1064 and rebuilt in 1664 and 1760; believed to be where St Magnus's body was taken, after his murder, by his cousin Hakon in 1115. (His remains were later re-interred in St Magnus Cathedral).
Earl's Palace - Built late 16th century by Earl Robert Stewart.
Boardhouse Mill - Last example of a meal mill in working order.
Stone o' Quoybune - A standing stone which folk-lore says went to the loch every New Year's - morning for a drink - not a bad idea, even today!
Marwick Head - Walk from the car park up to the stone-built memorial commemorating the loss of HMS Hampshire, which sank here in mysterious circumstances with the loss of all but 12 men, including Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Minister of War, reputed to be on a secret mission to Russia. This is a great spot for birdwatching during the breeding months.
Bay of Skaill – Large sandy beach below Skara Brae.
Skara Brae – This is an incredibly well preserved stone village containing an intricate maze of dwellings, with stone beds, lintels and cupboards all intact, and dates back some 5,000 years. The site was revealed in 1850 by a violent storm and is now one of the most famous Neolithic sites in Northern Europe.
Hole o' Rowe – on the south side of the Bay of Skaill you’ll find a large cave which has pierced right through the headland, and through which the sea breaks in rough weather.
St Peter’s Kirk – At the north end of the Bay of Skaill you’ll find a Kirk that dates back to 1837.
Orkney Brewery – located at the old school in Quoyloo. The brewery makes popular Orkney ales including the award wining Dark Island. Visitor Centre planned for 2008.
Yesnaby - A must for unforgettable views of cliffs, stacks ("castles"), and geos, and Primula Scotica in season.
Skipi Geo and Sandgeo - Recently restored fishermen's huts.
Longaglebe Geo - A deep gorge eroded by the sea, 200 metres inwards.
Kirbister Farm Museum - A well-kept example of an early 19th century farmhouse and steading, with central fireplace, stone neuk beds and collection of farm utensils of yesteryear.
Dounby - A small village settlement where Birsay, Harray and Sandwick meet.
Burgar Hill - Site of several aero generators, the largest with a diameter of 50 metres and a capacity of three megawatts.
The Roost - Often wild strait separating Evie from the island of Eynhallow.
Mill of Harray - 19th century meal mill which, before 1875, had no drying kiln; farmers had to dry their own oats and barley before taking it to be milled.
Click Mill - A simple type of wheel mill with horizontal wooden waterwheel of early 19th century design.
Corrigall Farm Museum - Commemorates a bygone age, recreating a mid-19th century farmstead, with household artefacts and farm tools.
Quoyer Viewpoint - An ideal stopping place for panoramic views of the Harray and Stenness Lochs, the Ring of Brodgar and the distant Hoy hills
Aikerness Beach - Probably the longest stretch of sandy beach in the West Mainland -perfect for bathing, picnicking or beachcombing for shells, especially cowries (groatie buckies).
Broch of Gurness - One of Orkney's best-preserved Brochs, from about the 1st century BC and occupied by both Picts and Vikings.
Tingwall Ferry Terminal - Provides link with Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre. Evidence of another broch here.
Doocot - Interesting home for pigeons at the Hall of Rendall. Recently restored, it is unique in Orkney.
Finstown - Possibly named after an Irish soldier, Phin, who retired here after the Napoleonic Wars and set up an Inn called 'The Toddy Hole".
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Old Mill - No longer in use, but the machinery dating from the early 19th century is still there, including the overshot wheel which provided the power.
Langalour - Notable 19th century farm, complete with neuk beds - originally a longhouse, shared by family and animals.
Ingashowe Broch - Human remains and red deer bones were found when it was excavated. Inhabited 500-60 BC.
Rennibister Earth House – Located below Wideford Hill, remains of a Neolithic House similar to Knap of Howar on Papay.
Brig o'Waithe – The Brig crosses the mouth of the Loch of Stenness at The Bush and is a favourite sea trout fishing location.
Unstan Cairn Chambered tomb – this cairn in located beside the Stenness Loch and was excavated in 1884. The chamber is divided by large flagstone in which crouched skeletons were found.
Ring of Brodgar – One of the finest stone circles in the world. The stone ring was built in a true circle, 104 metres wide and originally contained 60 megaliths, today only 27 of these stones remain.
Barnhouse Village - Stone-age village that lies on the shore of the Harray Loch, located only 100m from the Standing Stones of Stenness. A bird hide is located beside the loch.
Standing Stones of Stenness - A small circle dating from the third millennium BC and consisting originally of 12 stones, with, nearby, the Watchstone and the Bamhouse stone.
Tormiston Mill - Refurbished mill where you buy tickets for Maeshowe.
Maeshowe - The finest chambered tomb in Western Europe. Built before 2700 BC, it was raided by the Vikings in the mid-12th century and plundered of its 'treasures'. Timed tours at 45 minute intervals. Open daily throughout the summer 9.30am – 5.30pm (last tour 4.15pm). Winter open daily 9.30am – 4.30 (last tour 3pm). Booking advisable.
Buckle's Toor - Small tower built last century by a local lad while he herded sheep on the hillside.
Binscarth – Binscarth Woods is Orkney’s largest woodland area which were planted last century. There is a lovely walk through the woods and past Wasdale loch – download map from www.visitorkney.com/walking.
Cuween Chambered Cairn - Built around 2800-2000 BC. When it was entered in 1901, 24 dog skulls were found, thought to be tribal emblems of the stone-age builders.
Site of Battle of Summerdale - Where the last pitched battle in Orkney was fought. The army of King James V, led by the Earl of Caithness, was defeated by the islanders who were rebelling against taxes and feudalism.
Ward Hill - The highest point on the Orkney mainland - 268 metres. Great views of Scapa Flow and Hoy as well as Stromness and the West Mainland.
Houton - This is the departure point of the car ferry to Hoy (Lyness) and Flotta.
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St Nicholas Round Kirk and Orkneyinga Saga Centre – The Orkneyinga Saga Centre beside the Round Kirk tells the story of the Norse Earls of Orkney with interpretation boards and an audiovisual display. Free entry.
Built in the late 11th or early 12th century, the Orphir Round Kirk is thought to have been built by Earl Haakon. The Kirk is the only remains of a circular medieval church in Scotland. Earl's Bu - The remains of a Norse farmstead, at one time home to some of the Norse Earls who were so important in Orkney's history.
Waulkmill - A beautiful sheltered shallow inlet with stunning sandy beach. This beach was voted Orkney best Kept Beach in 2006. Toilet facilities available above the beach. * please note that there are steps down to the beach so it may not be suitable for people with buggies and wheelchairs.
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