Seabird City Experience
- Spectacular cliffs
- Kittiwakes calling
- Guillemots crammed in together
- Fulmars gliding in the wind
- Seabirds galore!
Our Seabird City Experience is a new walk for 2026 designed to fit in with the local bus service allowing those without their own transport to witness the sights, sounds and smells of a seabird city.
What to expect:
- Seabirds galore – kittiwakes, gannets, fulmars, guillemots and razorbills
- Waders in the bay and the surrounding farmland
- Spectacular cliffs and fantastic views (weather permitting!)
Need to knows:
- Created to fit in with the 8S bus service operated by Stagecoach Orkney - find the timetable here
- Walk length approx. 3 hours and up to 3 miles with some elevation (approx. 82 metres)
- Walking is at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops to look at seabirds & other wildlife
- Operates from Monday 4th May to Friday 7th August inclusive
We will meet at 10am at the Marwick Bay car park, this is sign posted for the RSPB Marwick Head reserve.
If you are coming by bus, take the 8S Stagecoach bus from Kirkwall at 8.32am. The buses operate on a hail and ride system, so you will need to request the stop to the driver when you get on the bus. Please ask for RSPB Marwick Head (which is between Twatt Crossroads and Quoyloo Road End). You should arrive by bus at the road end at approximately 9.15am. There is a brown sign at the top of the junction which says RSPB Marwick Head. It will take you about 25 minutes to walk to the car park where we meet.
You can find the bus timetable on the Orkney Islands Council website.
I have a turquoise Ford fiesta with my logo on the side, when you are ready please make your way to my car so that I can go through some pre-walk information with you.
We will begin our walk at 10am and the walk lasts approximately 3 hours so we should be back around 1pm.
The walk is at a leisurely pace as we are looking for wildlife.
Walk length up to 3 miles with a steep section of path.
- Walking boots/shoes - preferably waterproof
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm clothing/layers including hats & gloves
- Walking poles - if you normally use them
- Binoculars if you have them
- A snack or a packed lunch and plenty of fluids
Q. Will we see puffins on this walk?
We sometimes see puffins on this walk although they are not guaranteed. The best time of day to see them is the evening but if they are there we will find them! Our puffins are here between May & July and we will be keeping an eye out for them on the cliffs.
Q. Is there a minimum number required for this walk to go ahead?
A. No, there is no minimum number, we are happy to be out and will go even if there is just one person booked.
Q. Are there public toilets here?
A. No, there are no public toilets here. The nearest would be at the Bay of Skaill (near Skara Brae), in Dounby or Birsay.
Q. Can we use public transport to get to this walk?
A. Yes, you use the 8S Stagecoach bus from Kirkwall. From where the bus stops at the road end, it is .8 miles to walk to where we meet at the car park. You will also need to walk back to the road end for the return bus at the end of the walk. Please see itinerary for more information.
Q. Can we take our dog on the walk?
A. No, dogs are not allowed on any of our walks unless they are assistance dogs.
If you need to cancel your wildlife walk, please let us know at least 7 days in advance by email. The following will apply according to the date we receive your email:
- If notified 7 days in advance of your booking you will receive a full refund
- If notified less than 7 days in advance of your booking you will not receive a refund
- If you fail to show up for your wildlife walk at the agreed time/meeting location you will not receive a refund
- If your clothing/equipment is deemed to be inadequate or unsafe, Wild Orkney Walks reserves the right to cancel your walk without a refund.
Wild Orkney Walks reserves the right to change or cancel walks if there is bad weather forecast. Please be aware that we will only cancel if the weather forecast will make it unsafe to be out. If a walk is cancelled, you will be offered a choice:
- An alternative time/date
- A walk in a different location
- An alternative activity, ie a visit to a hide
- A full refund if none of the above is suitable
We reserve the right to change walks or itineraries in the light of prevailing weather or other safety reasons. Being on foot in remote and/or rugged country is potentially hazardous by its nature and participants must accept a certain element of risk. In the interest of safety, you must agree to abide by the decisions of your Walking Guide, who has full liability insurance.
Wild Orkney Walks shall not be liable for any consequential loss or damage arising from the cancellation, interruption, delay or alteration of or to any walk.
You are advised to take out travel insurance to cover any cancellation fees.
All refunds will be £ sterling and any fluctuation in exchange rates will not be our responsibility.
