The Old Man of Hoy: Orkney’s Most Famous Sea Stack

Sharing is caring!

The Old Man of Hoy is one of Scotland’s most recognisable landmarks. Standing 137 metres above the North Atlantic on the island of Hoy in Orkney, this sandstone sea stack draws hikers, climbers, and visitors from across the world. It is not the tallest sea stack in Britain, but it may be the most dramatic — a narrow column of rust-red rock rising from a basalt platform at the foot of sheer cliffs, with nothing but open sea beyond it.

This guide covers everything you need to know before you go — how to get there, what the walk is like, the climbing history, wildlife you might see, and the best time to visit.

Want more Scottish travel guides like this? Sign up to our free newsletter: Subscribe to Love Scotland

What Is the Old Man of Hoy?

The Old Man of Hoy is a sea stack — a free-standing column of rock separated from a cliff face by centuries of erosion. It sits off the western coast of Hoy, the second-largest island in the Orkney archipelago, in the far north of Scotland.

The stack is composed of Old Red Sandstone, a sedimentary rock laid down roughly 380 million years ago. It sits on a plinth of harder basalt, which has resisted erosion more effectively than the sandstone above. The result is the distinctive shape visible today — a broad base tapering into a tall, angular column.

Geologically speaking, the Old Man is young. Historical accounts and early maps suggest the stack formed within the last 400 years. The headland it once connected to continues to erode, meaning the Old Man’s eventual collapse is not a question of if, but when. For now, it stands as one of the most intact sea stacks on the British coastline.

The full height of 137 metres (449 feet) makes it taller than St Paul’s Cathedral in London. When you stand on the clifftop opposite and look across at it, that scale becomes immediately apparent.

Getting to Hoy

Hoy is accessible by ferry from the Orkney Mainland. The main options are:

• Stromness to Moaness (North Hoy): A passenger-only ferry operated by Orkney Ferries. Journey time is approximately 25 minutes. This is the most direct route to the walking trail for the Old Man.
• Houton to Lyness (South Hoy): A car and passenger ferry on the same route. Journey time is around 35 minutes, but Lyness is farther from the walking trail.

To reach Orkney itself, you can fly into Kirkwall Airport from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, or Inverness. Alternatively, NorthLink Ferries operate overnight sailings from Aberdeen to Kirkwall, and day sailings from Scrabster (near Thurso) to Stromness. The Scrabster to Stromness crossing passes close to the Old Man of Hoy — on a clear day you will see it from the deck.

There is no car hire on Hoy, and bus services are limited. Most visitors walk from the ferry terminal at Moaness. If you are travelling with mobility requirements, check ferry and path accessibility in advance with Orkney Ferries and the Ramblers Association.

The Walking Route

The walk from Moaness ferry terminal to the clifftop viewpoint for the Old Man of Hoy is approximately 9 miles (14.5 km) return. Allow 4 to 5 hours. The terrain is moorland path, boggy in places, with some steeper sections as you approach the cliffs.

The route passes through Rackwick, a small bay with a beach of rounded red and orange boulders. Rackwick has a bothy available for overnight stays — useful if you are planning a longer trip or want to walk at a more relaxed pace. Beyond Rackwick, the path climbs steadily towards the cliffs at St John’s Head before reaching the viewpoint above the stack.

The clifftop itself is unfenced in places. The drop is severe, and the ground near the edge can be unstable. Keep a safe distance from the edge at all times, particularly in high winds — Orkney is exposed, and weather on Hoy can change quickly.

Wear waterproof boots and carry extra layers. Even in summer, temperatures on the clifftop can feel significantly colder than at sea level due to wind chill. There are no facilities on the route beyond Rackwick — carry enough water and food for the full day.

Planning a trip to Orkney? Get regular Scottish travel inspiration in your inbox: Subscribe to Love Scotland

Climbing the Old Man of Hoy

The Old Man of Hoy has a significant place in British climbing history. It was first climbed in July 1966 by Chris Bonington, Tom Patey, and Rusty Baillie. The ascent involved three pitches on the east face, with a crux section that required a pendulum swing across a gap — now a well-known feature of the route.

The following year, in July 1967, the BBC broadcast a live ascent of the stack across two days. It attracted an audience of around 15 million viewers — one of the largest audiences for an outside broadcast in British television at the time. Climbers including Dougal Haston, Joe Brown, and Ian McNaught-Davis took part. The broadcast brought Orkney and the Old Man of Hoy to national attention in a way that little else could have done.

Today, the original route (graded E1 5b) remains the standard line. It is a serious multi-pitch trad climb requiring competence in placing gear on steep, sometimes loose rock. The approach involves a tidal scramble across the basalt platform at the base, which must be timed carefully. Climbers need to be self-sufficient and experienced. This is not a route for beginners.

Several harder variations and direct lines have since been established, including routes graded up to E7. The stack also features a through-cave near the base that adds complexity to the approach.

If you are considering a climbing trip, contact a local guiding company familiar with the logistics. The boat approach, tidal timing, and remoteness of the location make planning essential.

Wildlife Around the Old Man of Hoy

The cliffs around the Old Man of Hoy support a large seabird colony. From spring through summer, you can expect to see puffins, razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, and kittiwakes nesting on the ledges. The RSPB manages part of the island, and Hoy is one of the better locations in Orkney to see great skuas (locally called bonxies) — large, aggressive birds that will dive-bomb walkers who stray too close to nesting sites during the breeding season.

Red grouse are common on the moorland sections of the walk. Hen harriers, short-eared owls, and merlin are all recorded on Hoy. Mountain hares have also been introduced to the island.

Out at sea, grey seals are regularly seen on rocks near the stack. In the surrounding waters, common dolphins and harbour porpoise are occasional visitors, and minke whales have been sighted off the west coast of Orkney, though sightings from land are rare.

When to Visit

The Old Man of Hoy can be visited year-round, but the practical window for most walkers is May to September. During these months, daylight hours in Orkney are long — Midsummer sees nearly 19 hours of daylight — and ferry services run more frequently.

June and July offer the best combination of weather and wildlife. Seabirds are nesting and visible on the cliffs, wildflowers are in bloom on the moorland, and days are long enough that you do not need to rush. Midges are less of a problem on Hoy than on the Scottish mainland due to the coastal wind, but they can still be present on still days in July and August.

Autumn and winter visits are possible for experienced walkers but require careful planning. Storm conditions can make the cliffs dangerous and may cause ferry cancellations. Check the Met Office forecast and Orkney Ferries service updates before travelling in the off-season.

Practical Information

Ferry: Orkney Ferries runs sailings from Stromness to Moaness. Book in advance during peak season. Check current timetables on the Orkney Ferries website.
Accommodation: Rackwick Bothy (booking via Mountain Bothies Association), or return to Stromness or Kirkwall for a wider choice of hotels and B&Bs.
What to bring: Waterproof jacket, warm layers, sturdy boots, packed lunch, water, OS map or downloaded route (Ordnance Survey Explorer 461).
Mobile signal: Limited on Hoy. Download offline maps and save emergency contacts before you go.
Emergency contact: HM Coastguard, 999. Kirkwall Coastguard covers Orkney.

The Old Man of Hoy is not a quick trip — getting there requires a flight or overnight ferry, a second ferry, and a full day’s walking. But for those who make the effort, it delivers one of the most memorable views in Scotland. The scale of the stack against the open sea, the sound of seabirds on the cliffs, and the emptiness of the Hoy moorland are things that stay with you.

For more guides to Scotland’s most remarkable places, sign up free: Subscribe to Love Scotland

Sharing is caring!

Secure Your Dream Scottish Experience Before It’s Gone!

Planning a trip to Scotland? Don’t let sold-out tours or packed attractions dampen your adventure. Iconic experiences like exploring Edinburgh Castle, cruising along Loch Ness, or wandering through the mystical Isle of Skye often fill up fast—especially during peak travel seasons.

Booking in advance guarantees your place and ensures you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking scenery without stress or disappointment. You’ll also free up time to explore Scotland's hidden gems and savour those authentic moments that make your trip truly special.

Make the most of your journey—start planning today and secure those must-do experiences before they’re gone!