The Old Man of Hoy (Orkney Islands)

Information
The Old Man of Hoy is a sea stack situated on the island of Hoy in Orkney, near to the Dwarfie Stane.
Standing at 137m high, this red sandstone stack is perched on a plinth of basalt rock. It makes for a distinctive landmark when viewed from the Thurso to Stromness ferry.
At around 400 years old, the Old Man of Hoy is a popular challenge for climbers. First climbed in 1966, there are various ways up the stack, and of varying difficulty, and today there are on average 20-50 successful climbs a year.
7 Day Weather Forecast
Our weather forecast for Hoy Island in Orkney Islands is split into two widgets. The first shows a timeline containing temperature, wind, sunrise/sunset and chance of rain, whilst the second shows the forecast for the week ahead including severe weather alerts when available.
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In this 'you may also like' section we attempt to answer what else can I do? Here you have a list by order of being the closest some more beaches, things to see and do, places to eat and upcoming events.
- Rackwick Bay Beach
  2.94 km
  
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  Rackwick Bay beach is a sandy beach on island of Hoy. The beach although sandy has some large rounded pebbles and is overlooked by two high red sandstone cliffs at either side of the bay. Car parking but no other facilities so make sure you bring everything you need.
- Ward Hill
  5.27 km
  
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  Ward Hill is a curved ridge and is the highest hill in Orkney, sitting on the north of the island of Hoy. Ward Hill may be climbed from a variety of starting points. The northern side, directly above Hoy Village is steep and craggy, and thus presents the least appealing ascent route.
- Dwarfie Stane
  6.7 km
  
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  The Dwarfie Stane is a chambered tomb carved out of rock situated in a steep-sided valley between Quoys and Randwick on the island of Hoy, in Orkney. Unlike other tombs on Orkney, the Dwarfie Stane is cut from a red sandstone block about 8m long. The remarkable thing about the Dwarfie Stane is that it was hollowed out using only stone or antler tools, and a lot of back-breaking work and patience. Some say that it is the only Neolithic rock-cut tomb in Britain.
- Scapa Flow Visitor Centre
  14.65 km
  
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  The Scapa Flow Visitor Centre is a museum located in the former fuel oil pumping station at Lyness Naval Base (HMS Proserpine). The exhibition illustrates the importance of Scapa Flow as a base for the British fleet throughout history, concentrating on its role during two world wars.
- Longhope lifeboat station
  15.93 km
  
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  Longhope lifeboat station was established in 1874 and operates an all weather lifeboat. Station and shop open daily in the mornings. Other times by apointment.
- Hackness Martello Tower
  18.93 km
  
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  The Hackness Martello tower, together with another on the north side at Crockness, was built in 1815. Visitors can tour the tower, battery and reconstructed barracks. The towers were located to provide protection for British ships in the bay of Longhope against attack by American and French privateers, during the Napoleonic Wars. The towers were upgraded, with the installation of new guns and other structures, in 1866 at a time of concern about the possibility of another French invasion.
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