Caves on Orkney?
- Thread starter Lankyman
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Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
Not sure, but be looking to starboard and have a good oggle at The Old Man of Hoy as you go past. Don't miss it. Enjoy
Lankyman
Well-known member
We're taking the other route that goes to South Ronaldsay so won't see it. Hoy is on the wishlist, mainly to climb Ward Hill this time. I did the Old Man on a lightning visit in 1992 but if we're over there it'll be strictly to pay my regards from the clifftop opposite!
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
Oddly enough the last time I was there was also 1992 (April) although non climbing trip, but I have agreed with an old buddy to be there next summer, starting to wonder if that is biting off more than I can chew 
and I should ask if he'll consider the Old Man if Stoer instead 
and I should ask if he'll consider the Old Man if Stoer instead 
British Caves and underground places | A selection of the caves and underground places on my wee trip to Orkney | Facebook
A selection of the caves and underground places on my wee trip to Orkney. Details in captions, fuller posts to come when I've unpacked and done my laundry.
www.facebook.com
Lankyman
Well-known member
'Twatt Air Raid Shelter' - must put that on the list! We're booked into a cottage not far away later in the week.British Caves and underground places | A selection of the caves and underground places on my wee trip to Orkney | Facebook
A selection of the caves and underground places on my wee trip to Orkney. Details in captions, fuller posts to come when I've unpacked and done my laundry.
Lankyman
Well-known member
We're on Westray for a few days and saw some sea caves yesterday at Noup Head but you'd need a kayak (and calm sea) to get a closer look.
According to my guidebook there is something there called Gentlemen's Cave where apparently some of the local gentry hid out after backing the wrong side in the 1745 Jacobite rebellion. We couldn't see any way down to it.
According to my guidebook there is something there called Gentlemen's Cave where apparently some of the local gentry hid out after backing the wrong side in the 1745 Jacobite rebellion. We couldn't see any way down to it.
robnorthwales
New member
Oh Hoy, there was a record of caves found on the hill above the 'Dwarfie Stane' chambered rock tomb/thing from the 19th Century, but not sure if that was legend or if they've ever been found since
Lankyman
Well-known member
Our plan is to climb Ward Hill (above the Dwarfie Stane) in the next few days if the weather holds up. It's amazing how the high hills on Hoy are visible from all round Orkney even miles away further north.
robnorthwales
New member
I'm not a climber, so never done the Old Man, nor had the inclination to aspire to !
But when we were staying in Stromness a few years ago I hired what was possibly the worst MTB ever from a little shop in town, took the ferry over to Hoy, and cycled to Rackwick, stopping off at the Stane on route. Put the bike behind a shed and walked round to the cliffs above the Old Man, then came back. A great day out
There was a nice little cafe by the ferry point at Moyness on Hoy, and an interesting exhibition in an old Kirk up the hill, but I'm going back a few years !
robnorthwales
New member
Might I also suggest the Orkney Brewery (up by Skaill/Twatt area). Nice food and nice beer !
The only really good pub in Stromness (Flatties Bar) closed a few years ago. There are others, but nothing great
The only really good pub in Stromness (Flatties Bar) closed a few years ago. There are others, but nothing great
Lankyman
Well-known member
We're booked on the boat to Hoy tomorrow - apparently it's going to be a toasty 18C so it'll be good to cool off a bit on the heights. I did stay in the Rackwick bothy when tackling the Old Man pretty much exactly 34 years ago. We might make another trip to Rackwick but this time it'll be strictly one old man looking at another. We could see it in the distance today from the cliffs at Yesnaby.
Lankyman
Well-known member
Someone recommended the 'Dragon cake' there. We drove past but it was too close to dinner time for us.
Lankyman
Well-known member
On Orkney Mainland today over on the west side at Yesnaby. Quite a few impressive looking caves and arches but nothing accessible on foot. You'd need to ab in or use a kayak but given the impressive swell I'd imagine an unhappy outcome might be on the cards.
The swells were surging through this one like a river in spate. I'd imagine (as a non-canoeist!) it'd be a pretty wild ride.
The swells were surging through this one like a river in spate. I'd imagine (as a non-canoeist!) it'd be a pretty wild ride.
robnorthwales
New member
Speaking of this, have you seen the BBC article on the bothy refurbishment today ?
I spent the night in the UK's most northerly bothy
Burnmouth on the Orkney island of Hoy has been restored after years of decline.
www.bbc.co.uk
robnorthwales
New member
The path round from Rackwick to the Old Man was very good when I was last there in 2022 - no idea what it was like when you were last there, but it's just a nice walk these days
There was still the old sign there in 2022 with the notice/warning to climbers regarding the lack of local rescue facilities.
A few pics from my walk there - I especially liked the 'dangerous cliffs' sign - like there's a safe type !
Apologies for the pics being sideways - they are the correct way round on screen but are appearing like this when attached
There was still the old sign there in 2022 with the notice/warning to climbers regarding the lack of local rescue facilities.
A few pics from my walk there - I especially liked the 'dangerous cliffs' sign - like there's a safe type !
Apologies for the pics being sideways - they are the correct way round on screen but are appearing like this when attached
Attachments
Lankyman
Well-known member
Yes, I saw it. It's looking a bit more plush than 1992 - obviously today's dirt baggers need their creature comforts more? That sign about the dangers for climbers should be a heritage museum. We've had phone signal virtually all over the place.Speaking of this, have you seen the BBC article on the bothy refurbishment today ?
I spent the night in the UK's most northerly bothy
Burnmouth on the Orkney island of Hoy has been restored after years of decline.
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