Skelday Hill, Mid Hill and Loch of Hundland Loop

This easy-going loop in Orkney’s West Mainland explores a broad, open landscape of low hills, rough pasture, moorland and freshwater loch shore, with only around 16 km / 10 miles of walking and roughly 100 m / 330 ft of ascent overall. Although the climbing is modest, the route feels wonderfully spacious, with long views rather than steep effort, and it suits hikers looking for a quieter inland outing away from the better-known coastal sites. The walk lies in the parish of Birsay, near the Loch of Hundland, a shallow freshwater loch in north-west Mainland, Orkney. (en.wikipedia.org)

The start is best understood as being near Kirbuster Museum, Hundland Road, Birsay, Orkney, KW17 2LR, which is one of the clearest nearby named landmarks and sits close to the roads leading into the Hundland area. (orkney.com) If you are driving, access is typically via the minor roads off the Birsay area road network, and a car is by far the simplest option for this walk because public transport in West Mainland generally stays on the main roads rather than reaching the quieter interior lanes and hill access points. (orkney.com)

If using public transport, the nearest practical bus access is usually via Birsay on Service 7, which links Birsay and Dounby and connects into the wider Orkney bus network; however, you should expect an additional road walk to reach the start area, and timetables should be checked carefully in advance because services are limited and can change seasonally. (orkney.gov.uk)

Terrain and route character

Expect a mixture of quiet single-track roads, farm access tracks, grassy hill ground and open moorland. In dry weather the walking is straightforward, but in wet or windy conditions the exposed sections can feel much more serious than the “easy” rating suggests. Orkney’s hills are not high, yet they are very open to Atlantic weather, so strong winds, low cloud and saturated ground can all affect comfort and pace. The route’s low total ascent means it is not especially strenuous, but some sections may be pathless or faint on the ground, so careful route-finding is still useful. For navigation, it is sensible to have the route loaded in HiiKER before setting out.

The first part of the loop typically eases out through pastoral ground toward the lower slopes of Skelday Hill, where the landscape begins to open and the views widen across Birsay’s patchwork of fields and lochs. The gradients here are gentle, and the gain is spread out rather than concentrated in one climb. Because the hills in this part of Orkney are rounded and smooth-sided, the walking often feels more like crossing a high, breezy shoulder than making a defined summit push. NatureScot describes West Mainland hill land as generally smoothly undulating and mostly below 200 m, with lochs such as Hundland sitting within the basin landscape. (nature.scot)

From there the route continues over or around Mid Hill, maintaining a broad upland feel. This middle section is where the sense of space is strongest: wide skies, open moor, and long sightlines over the surrounding farmland and water. The elevation remains modest, so this is a walk where exposure and footing matter more than steepness. On a clear day, the low relief allows expansive views rather than dramatic drops, and that makes the loop especially appealing for hikers who enjoy landscape watching, birdlife and a slower-paced day.

Lochside scenery, wildlife and what to watch for

As the route swings toward the Loch of Hundland, the character changes from open hill to quieter waterside country. The loch is a notable freshwater feature in Birsay and adds a strong sense of place to the walk. (en.wikipedia.org) Around the loch and adjacent marshy ground, expect wetter underfoot conditions, especially after rain. Waterproof footwear is a good idea even on an otherwise easy day.

This area is rewarding for wildlife watchers. Freshwater lochs and