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Rackwick Bay

Photo of Rackwick Bay, a beach in Hoy and West Mainland, the Orkney Islands, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Rackwick Bay

© Chris Downer / Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

© Chris Downer / Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Rackwick Bay

Local highlight
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Rackwick is a wild bay on the west side of Hoy, a beach of huge sea-worn boulders and sand shut in by steep hills — for many the most beautiful spot in Orkney. It’s also the starting point for the walk out to the Old Man of Hoy. Reach Hoy by ferry from Stromness, then it’s a road across the island to the bay.

More places to visit near Rackwick Bay

Photo of Hoy and West Mainland, a National Scenic Area in the Orkney Islands, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Hoy and West Mainland

You’re inside itNational Scenic Area near Stromness

Orkney's tallest hills and biggest sea cliffs on Hoy, with ancient stone and Atlantic weather across the West Mainland

Photo of Old Man of Hoy, a rock formation near Rackwick in Hoy and West Mainland, the Orkney Islands, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Iconic

Old Man of Hoy

Rock formation near Rackwick

A 137-metre red sandstone sea stack, taller than the towers of the Forth Bridge and first climbed on live television in 1967.

2.8 km NW

Photo of Dwarfie Stane, Hoy, a chambered tomb near Rackwick, the Orkney Islands, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Dwarfie Stane, Hoy

Chambered tomb near Rackwick

Dwarfie Stane, rock-cut tomb, Hoy

4.7 km E

Photo of Orkney Mainland, an island in the Orkney Islands, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Iconic

Orkney Mainland

Island near Finstown

Orkney's main island, home to Kirkwall's St Magnus Cathedral, Stromness and the Neolithic sites of Skara Brae, Maeshowe and Brodgar

9.9 km NE

Photo of Stromness Museum, a visitor attraction in Hoy and West Mainland, the Orkney Islands, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Stromness Museum

Attraction near Stromness

A characterful town museum in Stromness covering maritime, natural and Hudson's Bay Company history.

10.9 km NE

Photo of Stromness, a village in Hoy and West Mainland, the Orkney Islands, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Stromness

Village

Orkney's second town, a stone-built harbour community of winding lanes and flagstone streets on the west Mainland.

11.2 km NE · Orkney Islands