Hoy

Discover Hoy – a wild landscape that ranges from sweeping moorland to dramatic clifftops. An array of fascinating birds, from Fulmars, Puffins and Red-throated Divers, to Great Skuas, Hen Harriers and Stonechats make this their home. Wrap up warm and don't leave without a nod to the Old Man.

The towering sandstone cliffs are spectacular at any time of year, particularly when slanting sunlight highlights the glorious shades of pink, orange, yellow and purple. In June, the calls of thousands of Fulmars, Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins echo around the rugged coast from the world-famous Old Man of Hoy sea-stack to the highest vertical sea cliff at St John's Head.

Visit the high island of Orkney, where the harder sandstones have been ice-shaped to form the dramatic hills and valleys we see today. The second biggest island in Orkney boasts a surprising range of habitats. Take a stroll through the wild moorland where you might spot Hen Harriers floating above the delicate summer wildflowers. Enjoy a coastal walk where the awe-inspiring coloured sandstone cliffs along the west coast are home to thousands of wheeling seabirds and precious maritime wildflowers.

The dramatic beach at Rackwick is a local favourite with golden sand and huge, coloured sandstone boulders overlooked by the pink cliffs. Perhaps surprisingly, there is ancient woodland here too – the atmospheric woodland at Berriedale is the most northerly native woodland in the UK.

We are working to maintain a mosaic of moorland habitats, including blanket bog, dry heath and wet heath. This provides suitable conditions for breeding White-tailed Eagles, Hen Harriers, Merlins and Red-throated Divers and allows us to safeguard important plants, including great sundew, alpine bearberry, fragrant orchid and dwarf cornel. We are also maintaining wildfire control measures.

We monitor the annual breeding populations of our White-tailed Eagles, Hen Harriers, Merlins and Red-throated Divers, as well as monitoring set areas for other wildlife, including wading birds, Great Skuas, Mountain Hares, Mining Bees and seabirds. We also keep tabs on any invasive mammal and plant species, survey under-recorded groups and contribute to national surveys.