Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland
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
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
Mobile signal: Moderate. EE on Hoy is patchy; better on the Stromness side.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:04
- Sunset
- 22:29
- Civil dawn
- 02:39
- Civil dusk
- 23:53
NOAA Solar Calculator · 27 June 2026
Around Ward Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Ward Hill — common questions
- How hard is Ward Hill?
- Ward Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Heather, crowberry and sandstone scree, with sections of bare red rock near the summit.
- When is the best time to climb Ward Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Ward 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 Ward 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 Ward Hill?
- Moderate. EE on Hoy is patchy; better on the Stromness side.
- How do I get the ferry to Ward 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 Ward Hill safe 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.
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