Orkney Countryside Attractions
Virtually all of Orkney could fit into this category, so I have had to exercise a bit of restraint in these listings. Here you will find bird sanctuaries, walks we have enjoyed, and nature reserves. See also our overview of Birdwatching in Orkney >>
Birsay Moors is a moorland habitat for Arctic skuas, hen harriers, red-throated divers, and - on the ground - Orkney voles. Best in summer.
nr Finstown,
Finstown,
Mainland,
Orkney,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland
Heritage Rating: 
Nearest: Self Catering
An RSPB nature reserve is located in a spectacular setting beside the Ring of Brodgar stone circle, with Harray Loch on one side and Stenness on the other. This reserve is best for seeing Orkney waders, curlews, snipe, lapwings, dunlins, redshanks and oystercatchers. Best in summer.
Stenness,
Mainland,
Orkney,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland
Attraction Type: Countryside - Nature reserve
Heritage Rating: 
Nearest: Self Catering
Copinsay is an uninhabited island in the Orkneys, famous for its large colonies of kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills. Fulmars and puffins also breed along the cliffs of Copinsay. The RSPB purchased the entire island as a memorial to naturalist James Fisher.
Copinsay,
Isle of Copinsay,
Orkney,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland
Heritage Rating: 
Nearest: Self Catering
Cottascarth and Rendall Moss is an RSPB nature reserve north of Finstown. The reserve is a fantastic place to see breeding curlews and a good spot to spot hen harriers, merlins, and short-eared owls.
Finstown,
Orkney,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland
Heritage Rating:
Nearest: Self Catering
A path leads from a small parking area along the cliffs above a narrow geo, or inlet, where a multitude of birds nest. The path joins the coastal walk towards Birsay to the east, or you can descend to the rocks along the shore and look for seabirds and seals. The rock formations are wonderful and the going is quite easy.
Longaglebe,
Birsay,
Mainland,
Orkney,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland
Heritage Rating:
Nearest: Self Catering
On Marwick Head is an RSPB nature reserve featuring thousands of breeding seabirds in a clifftop location. The views are spectacular. Also on Marwick Head is the Kitchener Memorial, a tower dedicated to the memory of Lord Kitchener who was killed in the wreck of the HMS Hampshire off this coast in 1916.
Birsay,
Mainland,
Orkney,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland
Heritage Rating:
Heritage Highlight: Kitchener Memorial atop the cliffs
Nearest: Self Catering
Mull Head is a nature reserve extending to over 200 acres, taking in coastal grassland, heather moorland, spectacular cliffs and coastal scenery. Paths through the reserve provide for circular walks ranging from 3-5 miles.
Deerness,
Deerness,
Mainland,
Orkney,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland
Heritage Rating:
Heritage Highlight: Brough of Deerness ruined chapel
Nearest: Self Catering
Probably the best-known RSPB reserve on Orkney - an absolute paradise for bird lovers. Noup Cliffs reserve is the largest seabird colony in Orkney, featuring Guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars, and puffins. Free entry, but donation requested.
Noup,
Pierowall,
Westray,
Orkney,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland, KW17 2DW
Heritage Rating:
Nearest: Self Catering
A short - and lovely - walk from Birsay brings you to a restored 19th-century fisherman's hut built into the side of a cliff. Deep grooves in the ground called 'nousts' or 'noasts' show where fishermen drew their boats up high onto the shore for protection.
Birsay,
Mainland,
Orkney,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland
Heritage Rating:
Nearest: Self Catering
The single track road through Yesnaby ends at the abandoned WWII military establishment on the coast. From here a path leads south along the coast toward Stromness. The cliffs are truly spectacular, encompassing some of the finest coastal scenery you will ever see.
Yesnaby,
Mainland,
Orkney,
Highlands and Islands,
Scotland
Heritage Rating:
Heritage Highlight: WWII anti-aircraft station on the cliffs
Nearest: Self Catering
