Rackwick Beach

Situated on the wild, west coast of the Isle of Hoy, Radwick beach is particularly remote. It is possible the beach would be completely overlooked if it were not for its famous neighbour.

Just along the coast is the Old Man of Hoy, possibly Britain’s tallest sea stack and something of a magnet for rock climbers. First climbed in 1966 the Old Man rises 137m (450ft) above the Atlantic Ocean. Radwick is where most people start the hike to the Old Man of Hoy, which is about 3 miles away.

Rackwick is home to some of its own impressive geology. The sandstone cliffs at the southern end of the beach rise vertically to around 200 metres above the sand.

The beach itself is actually something of a gem. A modest stretch of fine golden sand with a row of satisfyingly smooth sandstone rocks above the tide line.

Sitting on the grass behind the beach is Rackwick bothy offers free accommodation to hardy campers. Beyond this you’ll find the “Crow’s Nest”, an old crofters house which has been preserved as a musuem.