A festive gathering recounted in the Saga and coastal paths along Scapa Flow give Orphir its distinctive character. If you are planning a stay in Orphir, you can first decide whether historical themes, walks by the water or onward travel from Houton will be your main focus.

Saga History and the Round Church

The Orkneyinga Saga tells of a great Yule feast held by Earl Paul at his bu in Orphir. Here, bu means a lord’s residence or dwelling. The tale thus connects the place with a specific episode in the history of the Earls of Orkney.

Another historical landmark is the Round Church of Orphir. It is thought to have been modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The Round Church remained in use until the 1750s, after which it was partly demolished. The Orkneyinga Saga Centre in Orphir tells the story of the Norse Earls of Orkney through the Orkneyinga Saga and an audiovisual presentation. The Round Church and the Centre therefore offer different ways into the subject: the history of a building and the tales of Orkney’s rulers.

Coastal Paths and Tides

The Orphir Bay Coastal Walk is an approximately 3.2-kilometre circular route that starts and ends at Bu Farm in Orphir. Along the way, there are expansive panoramic views across Scapa Flow, and the path passes low cliffs. Seals may be visible in the waters below. Route descriptions and shore conditions can change, so it is advisable to check them before setting out.

For the Earl’s Bu Circular in the Parish of Orphir, the route description mentions a closely mown coastal path on grass, a quiet paved road and a short, optional woodland section. Take care along the eroding shoreline. On the coastal route at Earl’s Bu & Round Kirk, the path follows the shore of Scapa Flow and returns to the car park via Gyre Road. Keep these details in mind when planning for the different route descriptions and surfaces.

Waulkmill is a beach in the Parish of Orphir whose appearance changes with the tide. At low tide, a broad stretch of sand extends across the entire bay and leads to the shallow waters of Scapa Flow. Behind the beach, a walking path runs through one of Orkney’s largest salt marshes. If you are planning a walk along the shore, you should take the tide into account as well as the route itself.

A longer walk can also be included in your plans: the penultimate section of the St Magnus Way runs from Finstown over the hills southwards towards Orphir. Its starting point and route therefore differ from those of the paths described in the Parish of Orphir.

Getting There and Planning Your Stay

A ferry terminal at Houton, near Orphir, has services to Flotta and Hoy. Check ferry timetables and connections before travelling. Bus routes 2 and 5 also run to Houton: route 2 comes from Kirkwall, and route 5 from Stromness. Bus routes and timetables may change, so check these details in advance too.

This gives you a practical distinction when choosing your destination: Orphir’s Saga history and coastal paths appeal to different interests, while Houton is relevant for travellers continuing on to Flotta or Hoy. When planning your accommodation, consider which of these priorities matters most for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Finstown, Hackness, Stromness, Burray Village, Kirkwall, Tingwall, Orkney, Westray

For the main travel overview: Orkney Islands.