Calf of Eday Circular Walk

​​Unless you are fortunate enough to have a boat or are able to borrow a boat from a local, this walk will probably stay on your wish list.  Luckily, some Eday locals do offer to take visitors to the Calf of Eday for day trips during the summer months and will pick you up in the evening.  The local shop is a good place to inquire about trips.

This fantastic circular route is a tad over 4 miles and can be done in under 3 hours, however longer is suggested to take in the breathtaking views overlooking the coastline of Eday from the southern side of the Calf of Eday, and seawards from the North where on a clear day you can see Fair Isle.  

Being a circular walk, either clockwise or anti clockwise will stand you in good stead for this walk.  The terrain is low lying, generally through heather and over peaty ground.  As long as you keep the sea to one side and maintain a safe distance from the dramatic cliffs and strong tides, you will have a fantastic walk. 

The Calf of Eday sits proud atop of centrally located Eday in the group of Orkney islands.  This uninhabited island has a coastline of just over 4 miles and is home to many breeding varieties of seabird, and is thus classed as a Special Protection Area.  Seals galore inhabit the waters and the beaches on this island, often howling and calling their young.  

The Calf of Eday is only accessible by private boat and when the tide and weather conditions are suitable.  I teamed up with a local boatsman and we headed to the Calf of Eday to spend the night.

Upon mooring up at a good mooring point at The Graand - a sight of an old monastery, we quickly set up a wild camp and set about exploring this magnificent island. 

The walk around the island took no more than 2 hours, and was so good that, as we had the full afternoon to fill before sitting besides the campfire, we decided to walk the island again!