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OS 1:50 000 Sheet 5 : HY429448 |
Baggers Album ->Scotland->23->Westray
Fitty Hill and the West Coast of Westray
| Noup Head |
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| The bird crags along the west coast. |
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| As well as tens of thousands of seabirds there are some spectacular rock formations. |
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| The summit |
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| View over the island. |
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| The Southern slopes of Fitty Hill. |
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Map:
Fitty
Hill
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The fertile island of Westray involves a flight or 100 minute ferry trip from Kirkwall. Its a fair trek, but the island is no bleak far flung outpost. There are many farms and a population of 800, quite a contrast to the Scottish island experience. It is also a very enjoyable place to visit. The farms are largely separated from the westerlies by a low ridge of hills. Fitty Hill is the highest. Whilst gentle on three sides, most of the west side is vertical sea cliff. Westray is farm country and they use barbed wire, loads of it. This means that the most practical way up the hill is from the west, the craggy side. The walk along the clifftops from Noup Head is publicised by the tourist board and is well provisioned with stiles. It is one of the best of coast paths,being on fine cropped heathland, miles upon miles of golf green tidy lawn, with the ever present verticalities on one side. The crags harbour one of the worlds biggest sea bird colonies, so a spring/early summer visit is a good idea. After a 4 mile walk to Noup Head lighthouse and some time spent there looking at the birds we enjoyed the west coast walk and an easy ascent of the remaining 80m of Fitty Hill at the end. The hill gives a good view over the island. Unfortunately although we avoided the fences on the descent we did get tangled up in a marsh. Its best to head back towards the West coast walk on the descent. Although a linear walk, we were lucky to get a lift back to Pierowall from our B&B Host Mrs Groat of Arcadia, Pierowall. As well has having some great places to stay, the food on the island is worth the trip alone.
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