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Brough of Birsay

This tiny island featuring 9th-century Viking ruins is only accessible at low tide.

Birsay, Scotland

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Wes Morden
The remains of houses with the church and, on the left, the replica Pictish stone.   Chmee2/CC BY-SA 3.0
Brough of Birsay, tidal islet near Birsay, Orkney   John Comloquoy/CC BY-SA 2.0
  davejenkins / Atlas Obscura User
Time your visit well, the tide does come in quickly   davejenkins / Atlas Obscura User
Puffin at Brough of Birsay   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
Brough of Birsay   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
Brough of Birsay crossing at low tide   ladeedolly / Atlas Obscura User
Puffin on Brough of Birsay   ladeedolly / Atlas Obscura User
Skeptical Seabird   sholcroft / Atlas Obscura User
Low Tide   sholcroft / Atlas Obscura User
Breeding colony of fulmar and guillemot on the Brough of Birsay   Public Domain
Sea Cliffs   sholcroft / Atlas Obscura User
Brough of Birsay   Dominikus / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Brough of Birsay is a small island just off the Orkney main island, accessible only during low tide.

Upon walking the concrete path over to the island, the first thing you encounter are Viking ruins from the 8th or 9th century. These ruins are quite extensive and are in great shape. There are no barriers and you are on your own to respect and admire the ruins.

On the far side of the island are high cliffs where you can watch the waves crash into the rocks below. There are several places where you can stand with your feet spanning 100-foot-deep chasms. Beware of the time, however. You can only cross a few hours before and after low tide. If you don't pay attention to the time, you may find yourself stranded.

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Know Before You Go

The site lacks a timetable for the day's high and low tide. Ask your hotel. It's important to know the time: 2.5 hours after low tide, and you’ll get wet feet, three hours and you’ll have to call the coastguard at 999. Best is to arrive 3 hours after high tide and see the path fall dry. If the gatehouse is open, the price is under 5£ for adults. If its closed, it's free. Dress for the weather, as this island is open to the elements and has no shelter.

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Published

January 18, 2017

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