Five things to do in the East Mainland

Its real attraction is the chance to explore the great outdoors with its beautiful beaches and dramatic coastline. There are plenty of other attractions to enjoy too though.

Here are five things you should definitely see and do during a day or two in the East Mainland.

This headland is well off the beaten track at the tip of Tankerness, one of the parishes that makes up the East Mainland.

From the small car park, make your way along the path to the shore for lovely views towards Shapinsay. You’ll see the remains of a large wartime camp, including searchlight positions, ammunition bunkers, and huge gun batteries used to defend the approaches to Kirkwall Bay.

Further on you’ll find a wonderful stretch of coastline, full of cliffs and sea stacks, and plenty of birdlife to watch.

If you’re a food and drink fan then the East Mainland is the perfect place to test your taste buds.

The Kirk Gallery & Café at Sheila Fleet Jewellery has fast become a favourite destination for foodies, with a menu full of local ingredients and some delicious home bakes. The Barrier View Café at Celina Rupp Jewellery offers exactly what you'd expect – excellent food with a stunning view out over the Churchill Barriers. The Deerness Distillery has recently expanded to add whisky to its range of gins and vodka, and its Dashing Deer Kitchen & Bar is the best place to sample its spirits, and have a bite to eat after a coastal walk.

And for rum fans, head across the barriers to Lamb Holm and J. Gow Rum. There you can sample some award-winning spirits and take a bottle or two home with you.

This is a real Orkney highlight. Part of a fabulous stretch of coastline, the Brough of Deerness is a rocky outcrop with the remains of a small Norse chapel on top, with other remains dating back thousands of years.

The real attraction here is all elemental though. The geology in the area is incredible, and getting to the brough itself is a special experience. You descend down rock cut steps to the shore before climbing to the brough, using a rope chained to the rock for support.

Once on top, you can explore the tiny chapel then simply sit back and enjoy the beautiful sea views.

This poignant memorial was built to commemorate the loss of more than 200 people in a shipwreck off the coast of the East Mainland in the late 1600s. They were Covenanters, prisoners from the Battle of Bothwell Brig, being taken to North America to become slaves.

They were locked below deck of their ship when it was driven onto the rocks at Scarvataing in Deerness, with most perishing in the wild weather. Only a handful escaped.

These days it’s a peaceful stretch of coast that can be reached a short walk, or by taking a longer route including Mull Head.

These fantastic walking routes are a real highlight of visiting the East Mainland. Pull on the hiking boots and hit these trails to see some of the best coastal scenery in the islands, which you could quite easily have all to yourself.

Our Mull Head & Convenanters Memorial walk takes in the Gloup and the Brough of Deerness, and our Roseness route offers views out over the Churchill Barriers. The beach at Dingieshowe is one of the best in Orkney, with sparkling grey sand and dramatic views during the winter. There’s a walk east along the coast here too.

The beach at Newark Bay is another lovely spot with a coastal walk heading south east along the shore to the Point of Ayre, and its views towards the uninhabited island of Copinsay.

VIsit our Explore the East Mainland page to find out more about the area.