Sunrise from Burwick:
Watching the sea at Burwick:
After watching the sea for just over an hour, the haar rolled in to within 0.5km of shore. I therefore needed a plan B.
Having previously ascended all the Marilyns in Orkney, I realised there are still lots of island summits I have not previously visited, the nearest only a few kilometres away. I therefore drove to the A961 viewpoint where I parked for an ascent of Ward Hill. Ward Hill is a Hundred Metre Prominence Hill (HuMP).
Hill: Ward Hill
Date: 20th May 2025
Company: Just myself
Distance: 2.7km
Time: 35 Mins
I didn't take any photos except an initial one during the ascent as I was facing into the sun.
Ward Hill (South Ronaldsay):
It didn't take long to reach the summit trig point. There is a low fence to step over at the summit to reach the trig point, and nettles!
Summit of Ward Hill:
As per many other island Ward Hills, the summit area has numerous transmitters.
Transmitter near summit of Ward Hill:
I returned to the car via the same route and next drove to Burray for an ascent of its highpoint.
Track back to starting point:
Hill:Berryhill
Date: 20th May 2025
Company: Just myself
Distance: 2.4km
Time: 30 Mins
The ascent of Berryhill was also short and easy via good tracks.
Track towards Berryhill:
Track towards Berryhill:
Track leading to summit of Berryhill:
At only 80m high, Berryhill is not even a HuMP but it is a SIB (Significant Island of Britain).
Summit of Berryhill:
I returned to the car via the same route.
View while descending Berryhill:
Track back to starting point:
Next I drove a short distance along the road to also ascend Hunda, the hill I was most looking forward to as it is in a good location for cetacean watching. I therefore carried my camera gear and binoculars for this ascent.
Hill: Hunda
Date: 20th May 2025
Company: Just myself
Distance: 6.5km
Time: 1Hr 30Mins
I parked just to the side of the road before heading towards Littlequoy. The "Private" sign and "Turning Only" signs should have provided a bit of a clue of access issues to come.
Looking across to Hunda:
As I started to walk along the road towards Littlequoy, a woman came walking over and I said "hello" and she responded with same. When I then continued walking, she asked "can I help you?". I advised that I was about to ascend Hunda and that I was visiting Orkney and ascending numerous island summits while here. She replied that I could not walk along their track and could not walk across their farmland. She suggested that I speak with the Orkney Council Access Officer if I had an issue with that. I then set her right regarding what the Outdoor Access Code allows regarding the responsible right of access and that while it can prevent access to paths leading to and around properties, it does not prevent access across entire large areas of farmland and/or estates, especially as in this case where their was no crops or livestock. She argued the point that I was not permitted to walk across their land at all. A true GOML (get off my land).
I then asked if she could advise how I could walk to Hunda without crossing her land and she ignored the question, again misquoting the Access Code. I then suggested that when an estate doesn't want people walking past their property it is good practice to have signage and an alternative route around the property. Her response to this was that we don't need to do that. As she was now being a real pain in the ass, I decided to take her photo which really cheesed her off. She then misquoted Data Protection Law saying I didn't have her permission but Consent is only one of the legal bases for processing personal data, there are five others and in this case Legitimate Interests certainly applied in that it is in the public interest, not just my interest, for people to be able to walk in Scotland, as per the right of access in the Access Code and associated legislation. I really couldn't be bothered arguing with the woman, so continued on skirting right round their entire farm. I was however fuming and would be raising concerns with Orkney Council.
After skirting round the shore I crossed the causeway and ascended the 30m to the summit of Hunda.
Causeway to Hunda:
View from Hunda causeway:
Instead of cetacean watching, I decided to just return straight back as I didn't want to run the risk of my van being vandalised.
Featureless summit of Hunda:
I again skirted right round the farm on my return but on reaching the track to their property noticed a Land Rover parked across it with a big guy waiting to no doubt try to sort me out had I decided to cut back through their farmland.
Not going to let the woman spoil my day but to be fair she kind of did.