Island intro
Known locally as ‘The Green Isle’, Graemsay is an ideal place for walking and has a coast perfect for beachcombers, with two landmark lighthouses to discover.
Ask an Islander
We asked locals on Graemsay to tell us why their island is special. Here’s what they said:
Audrey from Graemsay Community Association told us, “Sandside Beach is lovely and often you can see seals bobbing around. Our other nice beach is the other side of the old pier to Sandside, and is what we call the Coral Beach, which is not sand but marl, so looks very white and is good for Groatie Buckie searching.”
Sitting at the entrance to Scapa Flow, there are six miles of coastline to cover, and it’s possible to walk around the entire island in less than half a day, giving you ample time to stop and enjoy the stunning seascapes, admire the abundant wildflowers and watch the wildlife.
Scour the rocky coastline and you may still find pottery from the 150-year-old shipwreck, Albion, which was shipwrecked off the Point of Oxan on New Year’s Day in 1866, as well as other faded pieces of pottery and colourful sea glass.
Or head to the Second World War gun battery for great views. This peaceful island is an ideal location to see wildlife. Seals, terns, oystercatchers, ringed plovers, redshanks, curlews, lapwings, fulmars and skuas can all be found here.
The Hoy High and Hoy Low Lighthouses were completed in 1851 to guide the way through Hoy Sound. Built to line up with one another, the Hoy High Lighthouse is 108 feet tall, with Hoy Low standing at just 39 feet. These structures were designed by Alan Stevenson from the famous Stevenson family, who constructed lighthouses across Scotland. Located near the Hoy Low Lighthouse is the remains of a WWII gun battery. With no roof, it is slightly more unusual than others found across Britain.
With so few people on the island and very little traffic, you won’t find the usual visitor attractions and facilities. As a result, the natural environment has thrived, making this island a real gem to explore.
