Marilyn · islands
Ward Hill
Ward Hill on Hoy is the highest point in Orkney, a great whaleback of Old Red Sandstone rising 481m above the western edge of the islands. From the summit the view stretches from Cape Wrath to the cliffs of St John's Head and across the Pentland Firth to Caithness.
Quick facts
- Height
- 481m/ 1578ft
- Grid ref
- HY 22863 02238
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 50% · rough grassland 35% · Old Red Sandstone 15%
Most parties start from Rackwick or from the road end at Sandy Loch above Moaness, climbing through heather and bilberry onto the broad north-east ridge. The walk often pairs with the path to the Old Man of Hoy for a memorable day.
Terrain
Heather, crowberry and sandstone scree, with sections of bare red rock near the summit. Drier and firmer underfoot than the Shetland hills but the upper slopes are steep enough to need care.
In winter
Hoy holds snow more often than the rest of Orkney, and ice on the summit scree is the main winter hazard. The Stromness-to-Moaness ferry runs year round but is exposed to Scapa Flow gales.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow8h 13m
- Edinburgh8h 39m
OS maps: OS Landranger 6, OS Landranger 7, OS Explorer 462
Mobile signal: Moderate. EE on Hoy is patchy; better on the Stromness side.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:44
- Sunset
- 21:36
- Civil dawn
- 03:45
- Civil dusk
- 22:34
NOAA Solar Calculator · 15 May 2026