Explore the unspoilt beaches of Sanday, Orkney

Sanday, as its name suggests is a place of sandy beaches.  These beaches are some of the most beautiful I have seen in the U.K.  Most are wide sweeping sandy bays although there are rocky coves and inlets. 

In the summer they are gentle places to watch the slow ripples and enjoy the sunshine.  However, come the winter they can be turbulent places with crashing waves and wild winds.

Beaches on Sanday

Sanday is one of the more remote places in Scotland meaning you will get these beaches to yourself. These are wild places for enjoying and while these are five of the bigger bays there are many more on the island. In this guide, I will discuss how to get to Sanday as well as the following beaches in more detail.

Otterswick

Otterswick is a shallow bay with some of the calmest water on Sanday.  It is also warmest as the shallow water can heat in the sun and is edged by sand dunes blanketed in wildflowers including the succulent sea rocket!  There is a small ruined building disappearing into the sand near the parking area and a lazy walk along the beach takes you to the abandoned village of Ortie.

Follow the road from Burness signposted to Whitemill Bay until you come to a track, ignoring the left turn to Whitemill Bay.  Find somewhere safe to park near the large three-storey house that sits at the end of the road.  Remember these are people’s homes and working farms and gateways and driveways are in use all the time. the village of Ortie is also private and should not be explored.

It is possible to walk all the way to Whitemill Bay in a large circular walk or a shorter stroll to Ortie.

Cata Sands

Cata Sands is a beautiful bay lined with small sand dunes gradually increasing to massive mountains of dunes.  The path is full of heart’s ease and eyebright as well as small birds darting about in the grasses.  Waders make the Cata Sands their home and they can be heard as you wander towards the dunes and the Bay of Newark.

Cata Sands is about 5 5-minute drive from Lady Village on the main road heading east towards Start Point.  On the right, a mile from the village you will see a concrete bunker-like structure (known as the ‘Brickie Hut’).  Turn right off the main road onto the grassy track.  There is a parking area here with an information board or you can continue along the bumpy track for just over half a mile to the end of the track where it joins the beach.

Cata Sand is good all year round and at any state of the tide.  It will change its personality with the weather and tides making each visit unique.

Bay of Newark

Walking over the huge dunes from Cata Sands a new bay becomes visible, the Bay of Newark.  Sweeping sand flanked by massive sand dunes this is a wild place in winter storms but calm and tranquil in the summer months.

The Bay of Newark can be reached by walking from Cata Sands, following the path from the parking area until you reach a turning space and a path onto the beach. At this point, the sand dunes rise on your left and the path to Bay of Newark follows the fence line up alongside the sand dunes. Look for the post for the path down to the beach. There is a bigger gap in the dunes about 25 minutes walk further along.

Bay of Newark is also part of a longer walk to Kirk Banks Mound and Wasso Broch, an un-excavated broch and worth the walk to discover.

Bay of Lopness

This bay is similar to lots of other Sanday beaches with the exception of its hidden secret.  When the tide goes out the remains of a World War 1 German ship, the B-98 become visible on the shoreline. 

This sweeping beach is close to Start Point Lighthouse and is best explored at low tide. There is a small parking area with an information board and the path leads from here down onto the beach.

Whitemill Bay

Coming out over the sand dunes at Whitemill Bay is like stepping onto a tropical island.  With North Ronaldsay in the far distance, the gently sloping bay is like a dream.  Approach the same bay on a stormy day and you will know that the reality is a beach in the far north of the Atlantic.

Whitemill Bay is located at the end of the road from Lady Village.  From the signposted road to Otterswick take the first turn on the left just before a collection of houses.  Follow this road until you come to a sandy car parking area and a picnic bench.  A short walk up and over the sand dunes in front of you will take you to the bay.

From here you can walk in either direction to enjoy the pale yellow sands and stunning landscapes. The Walk Highlands Walk is perfect for exploring Whitemill Bay. As with all Sanday beaches, this has a unique personality and can be visited at any state of the tide.  Care needs to be taken during winter storms due to the exposed position of this beach.