Kirkhouse and Grim Ness.

Start. Kirkhouse.

Route. Kirkhouse - Kirkhouse Point - The Grud - West Quoy - Manse Bay - Lime Banks - Cruive - Skipi Geo - Grim Ness - Honeysgeo Farm - Kirk Geo - Taftshurie Bridge - B9044 - Crossroads - Sorquoy - Keikhouse.

Notes. Starting and finishing at St Peter's Kirk overlooking Newark Bay on the east coast of South Ronaldsay, this coastal walk passes some picturesque coastal scenery, the wreck of the SS Irene a reminder of one of Orkney’s most tragic maritime disasters. It then rounded Grim Ness a cliff-ringed headland and nature reserve before returning over pathless ground and quiet lanes.

From St Peter’s Kirk we first made our way to the beach before following a rough track round Kirkhouse Point, first passed a ruined fisherman's store then the circular base of an 18th century windmill, after passing the Millennium Stone a long stretch of coastal walking followed. Passed scenic bays we walked, above high cliffs and crashing waves, on reaching the wreck of the Irene we stopped to don our waterproofs and spare a thought for the men of the Longhope Lifeboat who lost their lives when the boat overturned in a violent storm whilst attempting to rescue the crew of the Irene. The freighter eventually drifted ashore and the crew were rescued from the cliff top.

We continued rounding Grim Ness, old Norse meaning grim headland, it was today with heavy drizzle blowing in from the north. Once round the headland we joined a narrow ribbon of tarmac, this guided us passed Honeysgeo Farm to a small bridge under which passed a narrow burn. We left tarmac here, the next section, just under a mile was hard, long wet tussock grass dragged at our legs, bog plants forced us the ford the burn a couple of times, I’m convinced the Orkney farmers use barbed wire not to keep their stock in but ramblers out, there was four rows on either side of the burn.

After a long wet struggle we reached a narrow lane, of course our escape was blocked by barbed wire, hoping not to upset the locals we climbed a gate, wandered along the edge of a field, climbed another gate to emerge on the tarmac lane. With soaked trousers, boots full of water we squelched our way the two miles over tarmac, turned left at the first crossroads then descended back to Kirkhouse.

view route map.

home.

One of a number of hairy head stones in the cemetery at Kirkhouse, lichen only grow where the air is clean, free of pollutants.

Ruined fisherman's store overlooking Newark Bay.

On Kirkhouse Point another ruin, the base of a 18th century windmill.

Stews Head across Newark Bay with Halcro Head beyond.

Newark Bay viewed from near the ruined fisherman's store.

St Peter's Kirk seen from the coastal path.

Sue stops to soak up the views at Manse Bay.

Oystercatchers a group of waders found on coastal regions world wide, except polar areas and some tropical zones.

Amazing views over the route ahead from Manse Bay.

Ruined cottage overlooking Manse Bay.

In a lonely bay between fingers of rock the wreck of the SS Irene.

Below the cliffs the wreckage of the SS Irene, in 1969 the freighter broke down during a fierce storm in the Portland Firth, after the Longhope Lifeboat was lost in a failed rescue attempt the freighter drifted ashore, the crew was rescued by locals from the cliffs, the wreckage lays here as a poignant reminder of the dangers of the sea and the drowned crew of a lost lifeboat.

Cormorants on the rocks at Grim Ness.

Approaching Kirk Geo.

From the narrow ribbon of tarmac guiding us back views north up the Orkney Mainland coast.

We've been there, Grim Ness.

Rain's washing across the coast again, across a patchwork of farmland on the far horizon Copinsay.

Grey views across Newark Bay.

Just down the hill from Wheems Farm the Sorquoy Stone, at just over 13ft the highest monolith on Orkney.

Safety in numbers.

back to top

back to list