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Hiking trails & Routes

Brough of Birsay and Earl's Palace loop — Orkney Islands

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Brough of Birsay and Earl's Palace loop — Orkney Islands

Moderate

5.0

(2)

hikers

Brough of Birsay and Earl's Palace loop — Orkney Islands

02:53

11.0km

80m

Hiking

Embark on a moderate hike around the Brough of Birsay and Earl's Palace loop, covering 6.9 miles (11.0 km) with a modest 261 feet (79 metres) of elevation gain. This route typically takes about 2 hours and 52 minutes to complete. You will experience a rugged Atlantic coastline, dramatic sea…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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2.13 km

Earl's Palace Birsay

Highlight • Castle

Built between 1569 & 1574 this was the palace, castle and home of the Earl of Orkney in the late 1500's. Its use was short lived however with the overthrow …

Tip by

3.02 km

View of the Brough of Birsay

Highlight • Natural Monument

Great views from the point. To the South you will see the high cliffs of Marwick Head, and can probably just make out the stone tower of the Kitchener Memorial. …

Tip by

3.15 km

Brough of Birsay Causeway

Highlight • Bridge

It's a tidal island so only accessible for around two hours either side of low tide, and it's linked to a headland by a concrete causeway (240 meter - 790 feet) visible only when the sea retreats.

Tip by

4.07 km

Cliffs and Brough of Birsay Lighthouse

Highlight • Monument

Fantastic cliffs, including the spectacular and narrow inlet of Birsay Geo, enroute to the Birsay lighthouse.

Tip by

6.84 km

Whalebone at Point of Nether Queena

Highlight • Natural Monument

The whalebone is found on the Point of Nether Queena, North of Skipi / Skiba geo.

The lichen covered bone is from a baleen whale washed ashore in about 1876.

Tip by

11.0 km

Birsay Bay Tearoom

Highlight • Cafe

A great little tearoom with wonderful views over the Brough of Birsay. They sell a good selection of drinks, snacks, cakes and meals. The menu changes to reflect the seasons …

Tip by

11.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.33 km

2.52 km

1.50 km

1.36 km

332 m

Surfaces

3.97 km

2.72 km

2.26 km

1.61 km

473 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Saturday 5 September

18°C

12°C

98 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 33.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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This route was planned by komoot.

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Brough of Birsay and Earl's Palace loop — Orkney Islands

Earl's Palace Birsay

View of the Brough of Birsay

Brough of Birsay Causeway

Cliffs and Brough of Birsay Lighthouse

Whalebone at Point of Nether Queena

Birsay Bay Tearoom

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