where there's nothing to do... all day long
As Sanday is such a low-lying island, only 65m high at the tallest point, the colossal sand dunes at Tresness can be seen from a great distance. Park at the Brickie Hut (HY 703 413) which, along with the land now occupied by the Sanday Golf Course, was part of a dummy WW2 airfield used […]
The bay of Stove is a sandy beach that becomes a large area at low tide but also no beach at high tide. The ruined farm behind the beach is unusual in the Orkney islands in that it represents early industrialised farming incorporating a steam-powered threshing barn and projecting byre with granary. What else to […]
See Little Nouster on an interactive map Stroll down the deserted beach and see how the inquisitive seals follow you. Feel the peace and tranquility work its calming magic on you. The space The property is in the process of being renovated and it is hoped to be opened by March 2022. It is available […]
Sty Wick is a beautiful wide sandy bay located on the southern coastline of Sanday. The local ladies swimming group use this beach for sea swimming and it’s also popular with paddleboarders as it’s “usually” quite calm water. How to get there:From the B9069 follow the brown signs to Quoyness Chambered Cairn, this will take […]
Backaskaill Bay is a long sweeping white sandy beach backed by grass covered sand dunes. A stunning sandy beach, almost 2km wide. Backaskaill bay is located on the southern side of Sanday and is accessed from 2 points. At low tide, the west end has some stunning rock formations, rock stacks and plenty of rock […]
Doun Helzie (pronounced Doon Helly) is a little jewel of a beach even by Sanday’s very high standards. If possible, choose to visit a couple of hours before low tide, in the morning, on a sunny day! If you arrive on the ferry, you’re not too far from the start of the walk. Drive along […]
From April to September, you can enjoy a fresh hand made pizza from 59 Degrees North. Open Monday – Friday 11am to 8pm + Saturday 5pm – 8pm. Pay them a visit and you can officially say you have eaten pizza from the most northerly wood fired pizza in the UK, you’ll even get a sticker […]
59 Degree North Pizzeria & Cafe The cafe and pizzeria is open From April to September 2025, we’re open Monday to Friday 11am to 8pm + Saturday evenings 5pm to 8pm (June-August). Come and pay us a visit and you can officially say you have eaten our multi-award winning pizza from the most northerly wood fired […]
“I love coming to Granny’s in the holidays. The best thing was when we got given empty buckets and shovels off the farm and went to the beach and made maaaassive sandcastles. Malcolm came along the beach in his tractor and he dug us a huge hole with his tractor and we dug a river to […]
Friday, Saturday and Wednesday are often take-away nights at the two hotels in Kettletoft. On a fair evening, there’s nothing nicer than wrapping up warm and sitting on a couple of old fish boxes on the pier and learning the flash patterns of the different lighthouses around Sanday and Stronsay whilst polishing off a fish supper. […]
