Season: summer
The tide was ebbing during this summer visit, revealing an exquisite, flat beach at Waukmill Bay. This is a fine swimming location, safely placed at the northern end of Scapa Flow and south-facing, thereby benefiting from maximum sunshine. On this occasion families played in the pools and shallows on this Saturday. There is a natural backdrop of salt marsh and machair, with long headlands to either side. This is a candidate for the best beach on Orkney, even among the stiff opposition available. Highly recommended.
What the beach means to Sarah.
An idyllic day at Waukmill Bay.
Season: winter
Waukmill Bay has an wonderful isolated beach, which faces south towards Scapa Flow on the mainland of Orkney. It is sandy and exquisite, with excellent bathing water. The wider area is notable as a unique birdwatching haven, largely due to the freshwater feed from the Loch of Kirbister above the beach and the presence of ever changing sandbars. Nearby is Kirbister Preserve. Parking and toilets are on the road above the beach.
A view of Waukmill Bay from above.
By the water at high tide.
