Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Bay of Creekland

Season: summer

The beach at the Bay of Creekland on the Orkney Island of Hoy faces east, looking across the bay to Graemsay Island. Facing Scapa Flow and its boat graveyard, this is an evocative setting, as you can also feel a strong Viking undercurrent, standing on the beach and looking back at the barn behind, which is inspired by a long house. The beach has a pleasing arc, with fine sand that teems with bird life, on this occasion showcasing eider ducks and oystercatchers in abundance. Hoy is a wonderful island, natural and unspoilt, well worth a visit during any stay on Orkney.

What the beach means to Magnus.

Halfway along the beach.

Another view from further along the beach.

Bay of Skaill

Season: winter

The Bay of Skaill is a well known Orkney beach, not least due to the presence at its southern tip of Skara Brae, the remarkably well preserved Neolithic village, which was inhabited five thousand years ago. The high quality of the excavations is striking, a vivid and immersive spotlight on genuinely ancient times. The rediscovered workshop is a particular highlight. The beach itself curves pleasingly, facing the Atlantic and its long sets of waves. Regardless of the heritage on view, this beach is a favourite family visitor attraction. The south side of the bay also features Hole o’ Rowe, a sea arch through which the sea erupts on a stormy day. One further attraction is the 1620 mansion, Skaill House.

With Mary, the Monument Manager at neolithic Skara Brae, by the beach at Bay of Skaill.

The scene at Bay of Skaill on a winter afternoon.

Waukmill Bay

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.