Can I walk on Orkney Mainland while staying on Rousay?
Yes. Take the ferry to Tingwall and arrange onward transport to your chosen walk, with a return connection booked. Scapa and Stromness offer shorter outings; Earl’s Bu, Birsay, Marwick Head and Yesnaby give other options. Choose one route for the day and allow for travel as well as walking time.
Six walks on Orkney Mainland
These six walks include beaches, cliffs and a wander through town. Distances start at each route’s starting point. The journey from the cottage and ferry crossing are in addition.
| Walk | Published length or time | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Crantit Trail to Scapa | About 1 mile each way | Town-to-beach path |
| Earl’s Bu, Orphir | 3.5 km · about 1½ hours | Coastal grass, lanes and optional woodland |
| Birsay Circular | 5.9 km · about 2 hours | Coastal track and minor roads |
| Marwick Head | 4 km circular | Steep grassy climbs and exposed cliffs |
| Yesnaby coast | Out and back; variable length | Uneven, exposed coastal ground |
| Stromness to Point of Ness | About 30 minutes each way | Historic streets and harbour views |
Each walk has a link to a fuller route guide. Walking times are approximate and exclude travel and stops along the way.
An easy day trip from the cottages
You can stay on Rousay and take the ferry to Tingwall for a day walking on Mainland. There may be time to look around town before the ferry home too.
A car gives the most flexibility for rural starting points. Vehicle spaces for both crossings are bookable through Orkney Ferries’ current Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre timetable. Sailing times and durations vary by day and season.
The operator currently asks for vehicles to be ready to board 20 minutes before departure, and foot passengers at least 10 minutes before. Its boarding information has the details. Our Rousay ferry guide and car-hire advice help with the practical arrangements.
Without a car, you’ll need transport to Rousay Pier and from Tingwall to your walk. Service 6 links Tingwall and Kirkwall; connections depend on the ferry chosen. A rural walk may need an onward bus or a pre-arranged taxi.
Crantit Trail to Scapa Beach
This is a good shorter walk, with time for a look around Kirkwall as well. The path leads towards Scapa Bay, where the beach looks out across Scapa Flow.
- Distance
- About 1 mile each way; about 2 miles return.
- Terrain
- Town-to-beach path; beach walking is optional.
- Starting point
- Crantit Trail in Kirkwall; reaching the trail is extra.
- Seasonal notes
- Check tide and weather before adding time on the beach. The clifftop route west of Scapa is a separate extension.
The trail is about two miles out and back. The walk to the start in Kirkwall and time on the beach are in addition. The linked guides describe the surfaces and access.
The council’s Core Paths Plan (PDF, Kirkwall and St Ola) lists the route. Read Orkney.com’s Scapa Beach guide for the beach and its surroundings. The clifftop walk west of Scapa is a separate extension, with different terrain.
Earl’s Bu Circular, Orphir
This is a fairly gentle walk, with Norse ruins and views across Scapa Flow. The route begins at the Orkneyinga Saga Centre car park, passes the Earl’s Bu remains and Round Kirk, then follows the coast and returns by quiet lanes.
- Distance
- 3.5 km circular; allow about 1½ hours.
- Terrain
- Coastal grass and tarmac lanes, with optional woodland.
- Starting point
- Orkneyinga Saga Centre car park, Orphir.
- Seasonal notes
- Grass can be wet after rain; allow for wind on the coastal section.
The route covers grass and tarmac, with a short optional woodland section. The route guide includes shoreline access notes.
Birsay Circular and the coast beyond the village
Starting near the Earl’s Palace, this northwest Mainland walk follows the coast towards Skiba Geo and Northside before returning on minor roads. There’s plenty to see along the shore and in the village.
- Distance
- 5.9 km circular; allow about 2 hours.
- Terrain
- Coastal grassy track and minor roads without pavements.
- Starting point
- Near the Earl’s Palace in Birsay.
- Seasonal notes
- The track can be wet. A visit to the tidal Brough is separate from this circuit and needs its own tide and access check.
The grassy track can be wet, and road sections do not have pavements. The current Birsay Circular route has the details.
The Brough of Birsay is a separate, tidal visit
The 5.9 km circuit does not include crossing to the Brough. The causeway is accessible only at low tide and can be rocky and slippery. Historic Environment Scotland’s visitor information covers crossing times and access.
Marwick Head and the Kitchener Memorial
This is a more energetic walk, with cliffs, seabirds and the Kitchener Memorial above the sea. The route climbs along the coast and returns using single-track roads.
- Distance
- 4 km circular
- Terrain
- Steep grassy climbs, exposed cliffs and a road return; narrow kissing gates.
- Starting point
- Marwick Bay.
- Seasonal notes
- Ground can be wet and slippery. Summer brings nesting seabirds; allow for wind on the exposed headland.
The RSPB’s route and facilities information describes steep grassy inclines, ground that can be wet and slippery, and narrow kissing gates. A shorter approach from Cumlaquoy is 0.8 km one way, but it still involves the hill. Parking is limited and there are no toilets or shelter at the reserve.
There are lovely views from the headland, with seabirds along the cliffs. Orkney.com’s Marwick Head guide has more about the headland and route.
Yesnaby: sea stacks and Atlantic cliffs
The path heads south towards the Brough of Bigging, with a longer option continuing towards Yesnaby Castle, a sea stack with a natural arch.
- Distance
- Flexible out-and-back route; length depends on where you turn.
- Terrain
- Uneven, exposed coastal ground beside cliffs.
- Starting point
- Yesnaby car park.
- Seasonal notes
- Choose the route length to suit wind and weather, and keep well back from cliff edges.
You can turn back when you like, so the length of the walk is up to you.
The route crosses exposed, uneven coastal ground. Orkney.com’s Yesnaby visitor guide has route and access details.
Stromness harbour streets to Point of Ness
You can easily combine this walk with a look around Stromness. It follows the main street past the harbour and continues to the shore at Point of Ness.
- Distance
- Flexible distance; about 30 minutes each way to Point of Ness.
- Terrain
- Town streets and shoreline; the narrow main street is open to traffic.
- Starting point
- Stromness pierhead.
- Seasonal notes
- Allow for weather and available daylight on the shore section, and leave time to reach your return ferry.
The walk out and back takes roughly an hour, plus any stops. The narrow main street is open to traffic. You can turn back whenever you like if you fancy a shorter walk.
Orkney.com’s Stromness guide has more ideas for time in the town.
More for a day on Mainland
The Crantit Trail and Scapa Beach are close to Kirkwall, with its cathedral, museum and shops. Birsay, Marwick Head and Yesnaby offer coastal scenery and different lengths of walk.
The linked guides have fuller route descriptions, maps and access information for each outing.
Back on Rousay, you’ll have your own kitchen, sea views and a comfortable place to relax. One well-behaved dog is welcome in each property, on a lead around the farm. A dog cleaning fee applies. Our dog-friendly holiday guide has the details, and our Rousay walking guide covers routes closer to the cottages.
A few more questions
Can I visit Orkney Mainland for the day from Rousay?
Yes. The Rousay–Tingwall ferry takes you to Mainland, with onward travel from Tingwall to your walk. The sailing times and onward journey determine how much time you’ll have.
Which Mainland walks are good for a shorter outing?
The Crantit Trail towards Scapa Beach and a walk through Stromness offer shorter options. Earl’s Bu is a 3.5 km circuit. The linked route guides describe surfaces and access.
Do I need to cross the causeway for the Birsay Circular?
No. The published 5.9 km Birsay Circular stays on Mainland. Crossing to the Brough of Birsay is a separate visit, possible only at low tide when conditions allow.
Can I do these walks without taking a car on the ferry?
Yes, for some walks, using buses or a pre-arranged taxi. You’ll need transport between the cottage and Rousay Pier, and between Tingwall and your walk in both directions.
Find out more
From Stay Rousay. Practical information checked 17 September 2026. The links go to the operators and local organisations for the latest details.