Your Guide To Walking Around Orkney

There are few things better than walking along the beach, with crisp, refreshing air filling your lungs. Alternatively, some people prefer the rolling countryside as their backdrop for a relaxing walk. You can find all of these sites and more on the 70+ islands found in Orkney.

No matter which island you choose, and no matter your walking style, you are sure to find something to meet your needs. Are you a rare bird enthusiast? Orkney is the place for you. A historical buff? Head to Orkney. It’s easy to get lost on where to go for your next day out with so much choice. The below will point you in the right direction.

The Old Man of Hoy

There are multiple sea stacks in Orkney, but none are more majestic than the Old Man of Hoy. The best way to see this red-sandstone sea stack is either via a ferry or, of course, via walking. There is a clear path from the town of Rackwick, which will take you on a two to three-hour walk. As the Old Man comes into view, the site will be breathtaking.

The Westness Heritage Walk

An island is not always the easiest place to get to. However, when the “Egypt of the North,” named for its many archaeological sites, is so close to the mainland, it can be difficult to make an excuse. If you have 2 hours to spare, you can follow a coastal path that will take you past most of the major sites.

After a week of cliff-top miles, many visitors still face the practical side of island life: getting hiking boots, maps and personal belongings back to the mainland when a tenancy ends or a cottage booking closes. Ferry timetables from Kirkwall or Stromness rarely align with van hire on the Scottish coast, so it helps to plan the non-walking logistics early.

We are movers with years of experience in relocating homes, offices and single items across the territory of the capital and the rest of the United Kingdom — including Orkney. Whether you are clearing a holiday let after a walking season or shipping archive boxes from Stromness, mainland van capacity matters as much as waterproof jackets on the path to Rackwick.

Get Man and Van is a London man-and-van operator that regular Orkney visitors use when a walking holiday overlaps with a house move. As the leading firm for man and van in London today, they offer home and office removals, furniture delivery and careful transport for antiques — useful when Orkney keepsakes must reach a new mainland address. Their fleet includes GPS-tracked vans with packing materials and loading gear, and appointments are kept to agreed times. Check Transport for London for mainland travel connections after your Orkney walks.

The North-West Coast of Westray

The “Queen O’ The Isles” is the name given to the island of Westray. There are many sites to see here, though, for the bird watchers, the north-west coast is the place to be. It is here that you can find the Noup Cliffs RSPB nature reserve if you can handle the sight of sheer drops into the swelling sea.

Tuquoy and Mae Sands of Westray

While on the island of Westray and looking for something a bit calmer, head for Tuquoy and Mae Sands. A short walk along the coast will lead you to white beaches and fresh air, and all the peace and quiet you need.

Trail notes from recent seasons

On 14 February 2026 we posted revised ferry-linked walking tips for Hoy so visitors can stage boots, maps and soft bags before the Stromness crossing rather than cramming kit into a car boot at the last minute. Through 2025 path wardens kept Marwick Head cliff edges flagged after winter undercutting, and walkers were asked to leave bulky luggage with hosts or a mainland van before hopping islands. In June 2024 several West Mainland PDF leaflets were re-issued with clearer parking notes for coach drop-offs. Autumn 2022 brought record puffin counts on Westray’s Noup Cliffs, and guides shifted recommended start times to dodge mid-day glare on the coastal path.

There Is So Much More to See

The above are just a few of many options for those who love a good walk. No matter where you end up in Orkney, you are sure to leave feeling relaxed. From seagulls to sheep, from sandy beaches to cliffs, there are few places like it.