Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland
Mid Hill
Mid Hill is the central summit of the ridge that runs through West Mainland Orkney, between Wideford and Milldoe. At 275m it gives a clean panorama of Scapa Flow, the Pentland Firth and the lochs of Stenness and Harray.
Quick facts
- Height
- 275m/ 902ft
- Grid ref
- HY 33531 08701
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 30% · rocky summit 10%
Approach from the minor road below Rendall or from the track that runs past Wideford, then a short pull onto the broad summit. Gentle gradients and firm tracks make it well suited to a half day.
Terrain
Short Orkney heather and bog cotton across smooth flagstone country. Underfoot stays firmer than in Shetland — Orkney has more grass and less deep peat.
In winter
Wind, not snow, is the main winter problem; the Mainland is too low-lying to hold much white stuff for long. Days are short and the wind funnels strongly between the lochs.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow9h 30m
- Edinburgh8h 47m
Ferry access
Scrabster → Stromness (Orkney)
- Crossing time90 min
- Summer sailings3 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailings2 sailings daily (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead7 days
- Last ferry backCheck NorthLink timetable — last sailing back varies seasonally
Alternative: Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay → St Margaret's Hope (1h, more frequent) or Aberdeen → Kirkwall overnight. Hoy hills are a further short inter-island ferry hop from Stromness.
Book on ferry operator ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 6, OS Landranger 7, OS Explorer 462, OS Explorer 463
Mobile signal: Moderate. EE coverage on Orkney Mainland is reasonable near Kirkwall.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:00
- Sunset
- 22:27
- Civil dawn
- 02:35
- Civil dusk
- 23:52
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Mid Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Thurso station
End of the Far North Line — Dunnet Head, Pentland Firth, Orkney ferry
46km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Highland Park
Kirkwall, Orkney — heather-infused peat; northernmost Scotch distillery proper
12km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Mid Hill — common questions
- How hard is Mid Hill?
- Mid Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Short Orkney heather and bog cotton across smooth flagstone country.
- When is the best time to climb Mid Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Mid Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Mid Hill?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Mid Hill?
- Moderate. EE coverage on Orkney Mainland is reasonable near Kirkwall.
- How do I get the ferry to Mid Hill?
- Scrabster → Stromness (Orkney). 3 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 2 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 7 days ahead. Alternative: Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay → St Margaret's Hope (1h, more frequent) or Aberdeen → Kirkwall overnight. Hoy hills are a further short inter-island ferry hop from Stromness.
- Is Mid Hill safe in winter?
- Wind, not snow, is the main winter problem; the Mainland is too low-lying to hold much white stuff for long. Days are short and the wind funnels strongly between the lochs.
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