Bay of Skaill
The Bay of Skaill offers one of Orkney’s most impressive sandy beaches, with over a mile of pristine white sand facing the Atlantic Ocean. The sweeping bay is perfect for leisurely walks and beachcombing, especially at low tide when the expansive sands are fully revealed.
Visitor Information:
- Location: Approximately 13 miles north of Stromness
- Best time to visit: Low tide reveals the full expanse of the beach
- Facilities: Limited parking at Skara Brae visitor center
- Highlights: Spectacular sunsets, diverse shorebirds, and potential seal sightings
- Nearby: Skara Brae is located just beside the bay
The powerful Atlantic waves that crash onto this shore have been known to uncover archaeological treasures after storms, including the nearby Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, which was exposed following a severe storm in 1850.
Yesnaby Cliffs
Yesnaby presents some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in all of Orkney. These impressive red sandstone cliffs rise majestically from the Atlantic Ocean, sculpted over millennia by the power of the sea into spectacular formations.
Visitor Information:
- Location: Approximately 7 miles north of Stromness
- Access: Small car park and cliff-top path (take care in high winds)
- Best time to visit: Clear days for best views, spring for wildflowers
- Highlights: The Yesnaby Castle sea stack, Primula scotica (Scottish primrose)
- Photography: Particularly stunning at sunset
Look out for the “Yesnaby Castle” sea stack, a striking natural archway and rock formation reminiscent of the Old Man of Hoy. During spring and summer, this area is also one of the few places where you might spot the rare Scottish primrose (Primula scotica), a tiny purple flower unique to northern Scotland.
Happy Valley
Happy Valley is a charming woodland garden and one of Orkney’s most unusual attractions, especially remarkable in a landscape otherwise characterized by open, treeless terrain.
Visitor Information:
- Location: Near Stenness, approximately 6 miles northeast of Stromness
- Opening: Open year-round from dawn until dusk
- Access: Free entry; limited parking
- Best time to visit: Late spring and summer for flowers, autumn for colors
- Facilities: Walking paths, benches
This unexpected oasis was created by Edwin Harrold in the 1940s, who transformed a barren valley into a lush garden filled with trees, shrubs, and winding paths. The contrast between Happy Valley’s sheltered woodland and the surrounding open landscape makes it a refreshing and peaceful retreat. The garden features mature sycamore, rowan, and willow trees, along with colorful rhododendrons and other flowering plants that bloom throughout the seasons.