28 outstanding walks – 23 circular and five there-and-back routes visiting eleven islands across both archipelagos. The size and nature of the islands lend themselves best to short and half-day walks where unhurried and free-range walking is encouraged and the endless distractions of scenery, seabirds, wildflowers and sea watching are best appreciated and enjoyed at a relaxed pace.

In Orkney, the first walk is a short stroll around Hoxa Head with its extensive views across Scapa Flow and subsequent routes go on to explore more widely over Mainland Orkney and take in the islands of Hoy, Rousay and South Ronaldsay, concluding with a ramble along the breathtaking clifftops of Yesnaby to enjoy the Yesnaby Castle and North Gaulton sea stacks, in addition to the fine 2,500-year-old Broch of Borwick.

Among the other walks on Orkney you are guided round the sights of Kirkwall, taken to prehistoric Mid Howe Chambered Cairn, lead across a tidal causeway to Birsay, and to a good whale watching point overlooking the Pentland Firth from Cantick Head.

In Shetland, the first walk sets out from Sandsayre jetty to the tiny island of Mousa, renowned for two outstanding marvels – a very distinctive Iron Age broch and an RSPB reserve of international importance for petrels and other seabirds.

Walks range across Shetland from wild and remote Hermaness, on the far northern tip of Unst, down to Sumburgh Head, its most southerly point, where in addition to visiting the lighthouse, the itinerary also includes the historically fascinating multi-period settlement complex of Jarlshof. In between, you can walk on the extensive silver sands of Banna Minn and St Ninian’s Isle, enjoy cultural heritage in Lerwick and Scalloway, and experience the rich natural beauty and airy peacefulness of Fethaland and the Sands of Breckon.

28 outstanding walks across Orkney and Shetland: walks range from 1¾ to 6¾ miles with clear, large scale Ordnance Survey route maps, GPS waypoints, where to park, and places of interest en route. These all-new routes have been researched and written by expert outdoor writer Terry Marsh and showcase beautiful photography of scenes from the walks. Pathfinder® Guides are Britain’s best-loved walking guides.

Printed with weather-resistant covers featuring durable rounded corners, they are the perfect companion for country walking throughout Britain.

List of Walk Locations

Orkney
Hoxa Head (South Ronaldsay) - 1.75 miles
Kirkwall Town Trail (Mainland) - 2 miles
Orphir Bay (Mainland) - 2.25 miles
Cantick Head (Hoy) - 2.5 miles
Cuween Chambered Cairns and Hill of Lyradale (Mainland) - 3 miles
Binscarth Woods and Loch of Wasdale (Mainland) - 3.5 miles
Bur Wick and Brough Ness (South Ronaldsay) - 3.5 miles
Mid Howe Broch (Rousay) - 3.5 miles
Brough of Birsay, Skipi Geo and the Earl's Palace (Mainland) - 4 miles
Marwick Head (Mainland) - 4 miles
Stromness and Warebeth Beach (Mainland) - 5 miles
Mull Head (Mainland) - 5.5 miles
Old Man of Hoy (Hoy) - 5.5 miles
Yesnaby (Mainland) - 6 miles

Shetland
Mousa (Mousa) - 2 miles
Eshaness (Mainland) - 2 miles
Scat Ness and the Ness of Burgi (Mainland) - 3 miles
Lerwick Town Trail (Mainland) - 3.5 miles
Jarlshof and Sumburgh Head (Mainland) - 3.5 miles
St Ninian's Isle (Mainland/St Ninian's Isle) - 3.75 miles
Scalloway and Burwick (Mainland) - 4.5 miles
Aith Ness (Bressay) - 5 miles
Kettia Ness (West Burra/Mainland) - 5 miles
Hermaness National Nature Reserve (Unst) - 5.5 miles
Fethaland (Mainland) - 5.5 miles
Sands of Brekon and Gloup Ness (Yell) - 6 miles
Ronas Hill (Mainland) - 5.5 miles
Muckle Roe (Muckle Roe/Mainland) - 6.75 miles