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Special Winter Offer

2 Nights stay for £50

Book a third night for only £20 

Based on 2 adults & 2 children sharing one room at either the Hoy Centre or Birsay Outdoor Centre

Offer runs until the 25th March 2012 

 

 

 
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Rackwick Outdoor Centre - Local information PDF Print E-mail
Hoy is the most southerly of the inhabited islands in the Orkney Islands.  It is the second largest island in Orkney at 57 square miles.

To the north and west of the island are the spectacular hill and cliffs of Hoy, with the east and south being more typical of Orkney, low lying and fertile.

Rackwick beachWALKING
Hoy offers the walker spectacular hill walking across upland heath, bounded by dramatic high vertical sea cliffs.  The Hoy reserve, managed by the RSPB comprises much of the parish of Hoy in the north of the island and gives the walker the chance to walk in a landscape of outstanding natural beauty.

The islands roads are quiet, therefore walking along them is a enjoyable way of exploring the island.  In spring and summer the verges abound with numerous wild flowers.  

BIRD WATCHING
Much of North Hoy is owned and managed by the RSPB. The reserve comprises 3,500ha of upland heath and cliffs where a large variety of birds live and breed.  Around 175 species of birds have been recorded on the reserve.  Of particular interest are the five species of breeding birds of prey, the Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and Merlin.  On the hill tops there are large numbers of breeding Great Skuas (called Bonxies locally).  The island attracts many winter visitors too. Great Northern divers, Wigeon and Teal can be seen on the waters of Scapa Flow.  To the south of the island in the area of South Walls, large numbers of over wintering Geese, in particular the black and white Barnacle Geese, feed around the low-lying, fertile fields.

CLIMBING
Much of the west coast of Hoy are sheer, towering cliffs of great beauty.  Rising to a sheer drop of 351m St John head is amongst the highest vertical sea cliffs in the UK.  Close to St John Head is the famous landmark of Orkney, The Old Man of Hoy a must for experienced climbers.
For details of other climbing opportunities see Climbing Orkney.  

CYCLING
Cycling is a great way to see more of the island. During the summer the road side verges are packed with wild flowers of all kinds including the stately Northern Marsh Orchid, Red Campion, Grass of Parnassus and many more.  The roads are single track with passing places and generally are quiet.  Enjoy stopping off at the picnic areas and view points along the road that runs down the East coast of the island, with spectacular views over Scapa Flow.

FISHING
The clear offshore waters of Hoy offer the angler many opportunities, as well as inland lochs.  Heldale Water in South Hoy is completely different to all the other lochs in Orkney because of its great depth, up to fifty feet in parts. It also came under the Orkney Trout Fishing Association stocking policy only recently and is now starting to produce quality fish but it is largely under fished due to its location and high sloping banks which make wading downright impossible on most of the loch.  There are no boats for hire at this loch. For further details visit the Orkney Trout Fishing Association website.

Hoy sea kayakingSEA KAYAKING
Sea kayaking is gaining popularity in the sheltered waters of Scapa Flow and the best way to gain access to the base of the sheer cliffs and sheltered bays along the coast.

FLORA AND FAUNA
The island is rich in a wide variety of both flora and fauna, from the artic, alpine uplands of north Hoy to the fertile, lower land of the eastern and southern area of the island.   For the plant enthusiasts, three species of Heather and many Orchids can be seen, including the impressive northern marsh orchid.  Two artic alpine species of note are the purple saxifrage and moss campion.

Hoy also boasts the most northerly native woodland in Britain, located at Berriedale.

The Mountain Hare, which turns pure white during the winter, can be seen on many of the hillsides in North Hoy.  Numerous seals can be seen off the coast at most times of the year, and there has been occasional sighting of several species of whales, dolphins and porpoises.  The elusive Otter inhabits the island frequenting beaches, lochs and burns across the island.