Reserve Closure
This reserve will close on Thursday 14 November for an all-staff meeting. Please check locally for site specific closure times and details.
What's here? at North Hill
Available on site
2 spaces. Spaces situated at the reserve entrance. No height restriction. No lighting. We have a car park. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is free. There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point does not have a dropped kerb. There is limited parking at the reserve entrance gate for one or two cars. Please note that the ferry to the island from Kirkwall is not a roll on-roll off service, so any vehicles are lifted on and off the ferry by crane.
The coastguard hut observation point, which is a superb elevated position overlooking the heathland, and follows rough grassy terrain up a steep slope from the car park at the main entrance. The coastguard hut is surrounded by a fence and is accessed via a narrow gate (0.9m) in the fence and a narrow doorway (0.6m). The surface inside is level and there are two movable seats beside the windows. Information is also available at the hide.
Fowl Craig Trail. The trail is 3350metres long. There are large ladder stiles along the trail. The trail is sloped. This is a circular trail. The trail follows rough terrain including beach, rocky shore, slopes, and boggy ground. The trail is uneven, unsurfaced and sloping. Part of the trail passes along the top of sea cliffs. Park at the main entrance and the trail starts 750m east of here (this distance is included in the total trail length) - follow the gravelled road toward the shore at Hundland to pick up the circular route. Coastal Trail The trail is 4500metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. There are large ladder stiles along the trail around the Fowl Craig section of the coast. The trail is sloped. This is a circular mainly unsurfaced trail with rough terrain, uneven surfaces, boggy ground, cliff edges and slopes. Park at the main entrance to the reserve. The route follows the coast around North Hill, and the final section returns to the car park at the main entrance along a gravelled road. Trail guides are available from hide and various outlets on the island, including the shop.
School visits are available on our Orkney reserves on a variety of topics. Group visits are also welcome. Please contact the Orkney Office for further details. Tel 01856 850176 or e-mail: orkney@rspb.org.uk.
Guided walks are available on Wednesdays and Saturdays during summer. Booking essential. Please contact orkney@rspb.org.uk for details.
Not available on site
Accessible facilities are available in the Papa Westray Hostel, 1.6 miles (2.6km) from the reserve.
No toilets on the reserve. Baby changing facility at Beltane Hostel.
Two trails - both on rough grass paths with several stiles. No seating. Viewing points Accessed by steep track.
Two trails - both on rough grass paths with several stiles. No seating. Viewing points Accessed by steep track.
No toilets on the reserve. Standard single sex facilities are available in the Papa Westray Hostel, 1.6 miles (2.6km) from the reserve, and in the Kelp Store, 2.1 miles (3.4km) from the reserve.
Barbecue
There is no visitor centre here and this reserve does not have any staff on site.
There is no cafe or shop here, the nearest place for food and drinks is at the shop at Beltane, 1.5 miles (2km) away. We recommend you bring your own food and drinks if this is likely to affect your visit.