The PaddlerUK magazine December 2015 issue 5 | Page 52

PADDLERUK 52

West coast of Hoy
Scotland, United Kingdom

Ollie Jay

www.active4seasons.co.uk

“My favourite paddle location has to
be down the West coast of Hoy.
Quite an exposed section of coastline
that has been hammered by Atlantic
swell for many thousands of years, not
unique in the UK but the view of the
Old Man of Hoy (137m – UK’s tallest
sea stack) is stunning from the water.

“Starting at the Bay of Creekland, the 10 kms of
huge cliffs you encounter before you reach the
Old Man has some fantastic caves and one huge
arch that can be navigated in most conditions as it
lies west to east. As you go through it you just
think of the immense forces that have created it.
After passing the old man you then have the
potentially interesting landing on the storm beach
of Rackwick Bay.

“A very interesting lunch spot with bags of history
– visit the Cra’as Nest museum to find out more
about crofting life before the clearances. Once
refreshed a further 20kms will get you round the
bottom corner back to some shelter at Aith Hope
after less stunning but equally interesting cliffs with
very little chance of landing anywhere unless
completely calm.

“An amazing 30kms of paddling for the more
experienced paddler – best done with a bit of
swell in my opinion.”