Vat of Kirkbuster & Bay of Houseby

Orkney Islands Walk

Maps

Ordnance Survey Explorer 465	Sheet Map	1:25k	BUY
Anquet OS Explorer 465	Digital Map	1:25k	BUY

Walk Route Description

Click image to see photo description.

The island of Stronsay lies in the eastern sector of the Orkney Islands. This walk explores the east coast of Stronsay, and the highlights include the Vat of Kirkbuster, a rugged coastline, the Bay of Houseby and, in season, abundant birdlife. The route follows the coastal path and uses quiet lanes for the inland section of the walk.

The start is the small parking area for the Vat of Kirkbuster (grid ref. HY682241). After parking pass through the gate and follow the enclosed path east to the coast. Turn right and follow the grassy path along the cliff tops to reach the Vat of Kirkbuster a blowhole cut into the cliffs. Continue along the coast path to reach Burgh Head where the path veers south for a two-kilometre section to Lamb Head.

Continue along the coast path (indistinct in places) for a further 1.5 kilometres around the Bay of Houseby. Reaching the Pow, a rocky area of foreshore, turn right up a concrete track (grid ref. HY676221). After just under a kilometre the track leads into a tarmac lane. Continue ahead to reach a junction with the B9060 at the South Schoolhouse. Again, continue ahead soon reaching a bungalow where the lane bends left. Continue along the lane for 600 metres to the next junction (grid ref. HY674276). Turn right (brown sign to Vat of Kirkbuster). At the next junction turn right and continue along the lane to the parking area.

Walk GradingMore Orkney Islands Walks

Other walks nearby

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Walk 3651	Noup Head from Backarass Farm, Westray	easy	4.5 miles
Walk 3648	Old Man of Hoy & Glens of Broadiface	moderate	10.0 miles
Walk 3649	Old Man of Hoy from Rackwick	easy/mod	5.4 miles
Walk 3650	Rackwick, Old Man of Hoy & Cuilags	mod/hard	9.6 miles
Walk 1666	Stacks of Duncansby	easy	3.0 miles
Walk 3287	Morven, Smean & Maiden Pap	hard	10.2 miles
Walk 3101	Ben Bhraggie traverse	easy/mod	4.7 miles
Walk 2530	The Foinaven & Arkle Traverse	very hard	16.5 miles

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