Having ascended two of the Orkney Churchill Barrier islands the day before yesterday
i.e. South Ronaldsay and Burray, I set out today to ascend the final two, Glimps Holm and Lamb Holm.
These would be VERY easy ascents of very small 'hills', both are however
Significant Islands of Britain (SIBs).
For my ascent of Glimps Holm,
I parked just beyond the barrier to Burray at a small beach with small
shipwrecks.
Hill: Glimps Holm
Date: Thursday 22nd May 2025
Company: Just myself
Distance: 0.9km
Time: 15Mins
From my starting point I crossed the road, climbed over
the gate and then followed a faint path leading towards the summit.
Barrier from Glimps Holm to Burray:
Gate
providing access to 'hill':
Ascending
Glimps Holm:
Despite being
only 32m high, this is a nice wee walk and viewpoint.
Looking back
during ascent:
It took less
than ten minutes to reach the summit which is allegedly 10m north of the
trig point.
Glimps Holm
Trig Point:
Summit of
Glimps Holm ten metres north of trig point:
I then
returned via the same route and drove a short distance further along the
road to also ascend the next Orkney Churchill Barrier island, Lamb Holm.
For this ascent, I decided to park at the Italian Chapel. In hindsight,
this wasn't the best idea as there was no access to the summit area from
there without having to climb over barbed wire fences and potentially cross
an airfield. Instead it would be best to have parked just after the barrier
leading to Glimps Holm.
Hill: Lamb Holm
Date: Thursday 22nd May 2025
Company: Just myself
Distance: 3.1km
Time: 40Mins
After a quick look at the outside of the Italian Chapel,
I attempted to gain access to the summit area but was forced back by barbed
wire fences to walk along the road. I didn't look inside the chapel as it
was closed - I was up and on the go far to early. I have however visited
previously.
The Italian Chapel:
The Italian
Chapel:
Statue near
the Italian Chapel:
On reaching
the south side of Lamb Holm, near the barrier to Glimps Holm, I ascended a
track leading towards the airfield. During the ascent I passed the following
stone man.
Stone man
during ascent of Lamb Holm:
En-route to
the top I passed a WWII lookout. The summit was just a short distance away.
The summit area is featureless so choose which blade of grass you feel is
highest.
WWII lookout:
At the
featureless summit of Lamb Holm:
From the summit, I returned to the road which I walked back along to the
Italian Chapel car park.