SC 35 · RSPB reserve guide
RSPB Hoy
Rackwick and North Hoy, Orkney
Seabird cliffs around the Old Man of Hoy
Decide if the visit fits.
RSPB Hoy at a glance
Last checked 18 October 2026.
- Best time
- Seasonal wildlife throughout the year
- Opening & entry
- Hours, admission and parking: see Entry below.
- Trails & visit length
- The Old Man of Hoy walk starts at Rackwick and is described by the RSPB as a three-hour return outing.
- Accessibility
- The RSPB describes the Old Man route as moderate terrain with an initially steep climb, rough rocky sections and stone steps.
- Facilities
- There is no reserve visitor centre, café or on-site staff base.
- Dogs
- Dogs should be kept on a short lead from 1 April to 15 August and in livestock areas, as requested by RSPB Scotland.
- Public transport
- Orkney Ferries operates a passenger route from Stromness to Moaness in North Hoy and a separate vehicle route from Houton to Lyness.
Reserve overview
RSPB Hoy reserve and habitat
Seabird cliffs around the Old Man of Hoy
Eight checks for a smoother visit.
Planning your visit to Hoy
Conditions change: check the operator and transport notices before travelling.
Hoy best time to visit and seasonal birds
Jan–Feb: use the middle of a settled day for a short public-path watch around Rackwick rather than committing to a long cliff walk. Fulmars and other seabirds may be visible along the coast, but typically most auks are away at sea. The island's colours and exposed landscape are a major part of a winter visit. Mar–Apr: a morning on the Old Man of Hoy route can reveal returning fulmars, guillemots and razorbills as the breeding season builds. Typically colony attendance varies through spring, so work across the cliffs patiently from a safe position. The public paths also offer a broad view of the changing moorland without entering breeding habitat. May–Jun: make the Old Man route the main daytime watch for puffins, guillemots, razorbills and fulmars. June is highlighted by the RSPB for the busy seabird cliffs. Pause well back from the edge and use binoculars to follow traffic between sea and ledges. Sensitive raptors and divers should be enjoyed only if encountered from the established path, without tracking them towards breeding sites. Jul–Aug: July can still offer substantial auk activity at the coastal viewpoints, while fulmars remain an important part of the scene later in summer. Typically colonies quieten as young birds depart. A morning outing leaves time for a comfortable return, with the ferry or booked island transport determining how much walking is realistic. Sep–Oct: the Post Road or a shorter Rackwick outing suits a daylight landscape and birding visit. Fulmars and passing seabirds are usually a better focus than summer puffin expectations. Choose visibility and ground conditions carefully, and keep the possibility of deteriorating weather central to the day's distance. Nov–Dec: look for coastal birds around Rackwick during the best central daylight period, with fulmars among the possibilities. Typically a brief low-level outing is more manageable than the full Old Man route in winter. An overnight island stay gives flexibility to wait for a better weather window without forcing a walk between ferry connections.
RSPB Hoy opening times, entry and facilities
The RSPB tariff checked on 18 October 2026 lists free adult and child admission for members and non-members. The current calendar shows the reserve open 24 hours. Ordinary visitors should choose a daylight walking window appropriate to conditions rather than reading continuous access as advice for a night-time cliff outing. Parking at Dwarfie Stone and Rackwick beach is not operated by the RSPB. No current parking price for those areas was established from the official reserve pages checked. Ferry fares are separate and depend on which Orkney crossing is used; the passenger and vehicle routes serve different ports. Check the RSPB's current guidance, Orkney Ferries service information and the weather before beginning the journey. Your return booking should leave a substantial margin for the walk and transfer, particularly when travelling without a vehicle.
Hoy trails, hides and visit length
The Old Man of Hoy walk starts at Rackwick and is described by the RSPB as a three-hour return outing. It is the natural choice for a coastal birdwatch, with the sea stack and surrounding cliffs as the main destination. Adding frequent birding pauses makes the trip longer, so do not compress it into a nominal two-hour visit. The Post Road is another published route, around 2.5 miles and two hours in the operator's description. It gives a different experience of the island's moorland and historic connections. Experienced hillwalkers can continue on a rough cliff-top track from the Old Man towards St John's Head, but the RSPB specifically advises a map and compass; it is not a casual extension for every visitor. Two-hour plan: choose a modest Rackwick-area out-and-back with time for coastal watching, or a suitable section of the Post Road. Set the turning point by your own pace and transport deadline. The full Old Man return is not promised within this shorter plan. Full-day plan: arrange an early island arrival and transfer to Rackwick, then devote the best part of the day to the Old Man walk and unhurried seabird watching. Take a meal break away from the cliff edge and return with time to spare for the onward transfer. A second moorland route belongs in the day only if daylight and energy remain ample. Stay on established public paths and do not follow eagles, harriers or divers towards breeding locations.
Hoy accessibility and step-free routes
The RSPB describes the Old Man route as moderate terrain with an initially steep climb, rough rocky sections and stone steps. The Post Road also has rough ground and boardwalks and can become very muddy after wet weather. Some paths are narrow, and the coastal routes are exposed. These details make a full walk unsuitable for some wheelchair users, pushchairs and visitors with limited stamina. Use the linked accessibility guide and discuss the specific route with the RSPB before committing to travel. The reserve is a large landscape, so an accessible ferry or vehicle transfer does not make the final walking surface accessible. A shorter visit around an appropriate public stopping place may be more satisfying than a difficult attempt at the sea stack. Ask Orkney Ferries separately about boarding assistance, vessel arrangements and the terminal you will use. Plan the island road transfer with any necessary equipment space confirmed. At an open coastal watch, cold and wind can matter as much as distance, particularly when seated. Choose a turning point that still feels comfortable on the return, and do not rely on the availability of a bench or shelter at the moment you need to rest.
Hoy visitor facilities
There is no reserve visitor centre, café or on-site staff base. Carry food, water and a bag for rubbish. The RSPB identifies toilets at Rackwick and accessible toilets at Hoy Kirk, with the latter not open continuously. Summer refreshments may be available around Moaness, while Lyness is another separate village stop. These are island facilities rather than services beside every trail. There is no formal shelter on the exposed walking routes, and barbecues are not permitted.
Hoy dog rules
Dogs should be kept on a short lead from 1 April to 15 August and in livestock areas, as requested by RSPB Scotland. Collect waste and prevent a dog approaching birds or the cliff edge. Visitors with assistance dogs are welcome at RSPB Hoy. Discuss carriage and waiting arrangements with the ferry operator before booking the sea journey.
Hoy public transport and getting there
Orkney Ferries operates a passenger route from Stromness to Moaness in North Hoy and a separate vehicle route from Houton to Lyness. Moaness is the relevant northern arrival for many walkers; a vehicle landing at Lyness involves a further road journey on Hoy. Use the operator's current timetable and booking instructions for the chosen route, not an assumed daily pattern from an old leaflet. A car-free visit needs a prearranged island minibus or taxi connection if the walk starts at Rackwick. The RSPB links local transport information at hoyorkney.com/travel; confirm the actual service and return before choosing a ferry. No unverified numbered bus is presented here as a connection to the cliff walk. The three stay-base measurements below end at the Stromness mainland passenger departure point. They exclude the crossing, island transfer and walking time. Travellers coming to Orkney from mainland Scotland must also allow for that separate ferry or flight before the Hoy excursion.
Useful bases for an early start.
Where to stay near Hoy
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- 01
Stromness
About 0.8 miles by road, roughly 3 minutes’ drive to Stromness mainland passenger ferry departure (OSRM, measured 18 October 2026; estimate without live traffic). Ferry and island transfer are additional.
Measured driving route · 18 October 2026. Map estimates exclude live traffic.
A stay in Stromness with time for the wider areaFind places to stay in Stromness on Booking.com - 02
Kirkwall
About 15.2 miles by road, roughly 23 minutes’ drive to Stromness mainland passenger ferry departure (OSRM, measured 18 October 2026; estimate without live traffic). Ferry and island transfer are additional.
Measured driving route · 18 October 2026. Map estimates exclude live traffic.
A stay in Kirkwall with time for the wider areaFind places to stay in Kirkwall on Booking.com - 03
Finstown
About 9.0 miles by road, roughly 16 minutes’ drive to Stromness mainland passenger ferry departure (OSRM, measured 18 October 2026; estimate without live traffic). Ferry and island transfer are additional.
Measured driving route · 18 October 2026. Map estimates exclude live traffic.
A stay in Finstown with time for the wider areaFind places to stay in Finstown on Booking.com
Hoy official sightings, safety and contact
Contact the RSPB Orkney office at orkney@rspb.org.uk or 01856 850176 for reserve questions, organised walks and route suitability. Orkney Ferries provides the authoritative sailing and booking information for Moaness and Lyness. The local Hoy transport page is useful for arranging the remaining transfer, but confirm it with the actual provider. Keep enquiries specific to the route and port you intend to use so that advice does not assume a vehicle or a different arrival point.
Best months for this reserve
Nearby complete guides.
Bird reserves near Hoy
Stops with a purpose: use one as a contrasting habitat or weather-proof Plan B. Distances are straight-line estimates, not road journeys.
- About 13 miles away · A useful habitat changeRSPB Cottascarth and Rendall MossSpring and autumn passage; seasonal breeding and winter birds
- About 14 miles away · A useful habitat changeRSPB Marwick HeadSpring and summer seabird colony · winter coastal birds
- About 16 miles away · A useful habitat changeRSPB Dunnet HeadSeasonal wildlife throughout the year