The Brough of Birsay and Skiba Geo.

Start. Point of Buckquoy.

Route. Point of Buckquoy - Skiba Geo - Skeres Naquer - Banks - Brough Sounds - Brough of Birsay - Brough Sounds - Point of Buckquoy.

Notes. This exploration of the far north west tip of Orkney Mainland features rugged cliffs, a tidal causeway and centuries of history. The walk crosses the causeway to visit the Brough of Birsay, a special tidal island to explore Pictish, Norse and Medieval remains. Possibly of local and regional importance the island hosts the remains of a ruined Romanesque church that was a place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.

We parked on the small car park at the Point of Buckquoy, the tide was ebbing but the causeway was still deep under water. If you intend to visit the island check the tide times, it is only accessible two hours either side of low water.

Rather than waste time waiting we opted to do the second half of this walk first, so over cliff top paths we wandered heading towards Skiba Geo (Skipi Geo). After a short stretch of cliff top walking we arrived at the geo a tidal inlet, at the head of said inlet above the high water line tucked into the hillside some fishermen's huts, over a hundred years old a reminder of a past way of life. It is believed Skiba Geo with it's gently sloping beach has been used as a harbour since Viking times.

The path continued round the geo, our little guide book claimed there was a whales jawbone on the headland but alas it had gone, a sandy pit marked the spot it once occupied. A little further on a grassy track lead to Banks a small scattered hamlet, this we followed into said hamlet then turned right, with tarmac to guide us we wandered towards the Brough of Birsay. Tarmac ended at the fisherman’s huts allowing the cliff top path to guide us back to the Point of Buckquoy.

With the sea just clearing the causeway we headed across Brough Sound to explore the various historic remains, after a look around we ascended a green trod to the very top of the island. Greeted by a lighthouse and wonderful views down the coast we explored a little. The lighthouse dates back to 1925 built and designed by David Stevenson, it also marks the northwestern tip of Orkney. Time to head back, a green path heads north from the lighthouse, this we followed, it looped around then deposited us back in the historic bits and bobs, which were quite busy now, after another look round the causeway safely guided us back to the mainland.

view route map.

home.

Across Brough Sounds the causeway leading to the Brough of Birsay.

Over the rooftops of Birsay the massive cliffs of Marwick Head.

Neatly tucked into the hillside one of the fisherman's huts at Skiba Geo.

Breathtaking topography Skeres Naquer.

Viewing the grassy heights of the Brough of Birsay.

Spectacular coastal scenery.

Soaking up views to the Loop of Crooie.

Furnished with this years crop, fields near Banks.

Back at the Point of Buckquoy, the causeway's almost above water, time to explore the Brough of Birsay.

Sue strides out hoping to cross with dry feet.

Marwick Head as seen from the causeway.

Birsay was a Viking stronghold in the 1000s, possibly home to the powerful Norse Earl of Orkney, Thorfinn Sigurdsson, before that a different culture thrived here. Pictish people lived on the Brough from the 600s, traces of their oval houses have been found beneath later Norse buildings.

Loop of Crooie with the island of Rousay across the horizon views over Brough Sounds.

Seen over Birsay Bay the impressive cliffs of Marwick Head, the tower being the Kitchiner Memorial.

Brough of Birsay Lighthouse guards the headland, a saviour of lives since 1925.

Back amongst the pre history of the Brough.

Amongst the remains of the Viking settlement are houses and a church.

It is believed the island was once connected to the mainland by a land bridge, the Viking settlement is now protected by a concrete wall as evidence shows parts of the village have vanished through coastal erosion.

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