Orkney—Bird Watching and Cliff Walks

So the other major thing we did in Orkney was watch birds and walk around the coast (which is everywhere). On our first walk we went to the Brough of Birsay where there is a puffin colony. You can only get to the island during low tide. It was also the first day it was sunny and moderately warm! We only saw 3 or 4 puffins. People were so excited because it was the first time they’d seen puffins. I kinda thought it was funny/sad because we’d been on Staffa and seen hundreds. And they were so close there! These were way off a cliff edge. But, I love puffins so I was happy to see more!

The next day we went to Mull Head Nature Reserve. We walked the 5.7 mile hike all the way around the edge. No puffins here, but lots of Fulmars, Razorbills, and Shags. it was sunny but windy on the cliff edge.

The last day we went on a walk near where we were staying. There were several Neolithic sites just right along the cliff path and even a chambered tomb in the parking lot where we parked our car at the Airbnb. This walk was even colder and windier (probably 40 mph wind). And it was 9:30 pm so it was almost dusk.