The week beginning 20th April 2024 is still available to book Annie's Place for your self catering Orkney holiday by the sea. The photos below were taken in previous April weeks and give some idea of how beautiful it can be sitting on the shoreline bench during the daytime or at sunset. At that time of year many swans gather and stay for weeks enjoying all that Birsay Bay has to offer. It is so peaceful to watch them swimming back and forward across calm seas or surfing the waves when the tides are stronger. In April there will be seals basking on the rocks and seabirds from puffins to gannets flying out at sea or returning to nesting sites on the nearby cliffs.
If you feel more energetic then you can walk in either direction from Annie's Place's front door without the need to drive! Go to the right hand side of Birsay Bay, and at low tide cross to the tidal island of Brough of Birsay. You can also continue further round following the St Magnus Way coastal path with inspiring sea and cliff views. For a more energetic walk, the coastal path from Palace Village up to Marwick Head provides more wonderful seaviews, and at the top there is the monument to those who died in the sinking of the HMS Hampshire in 1916. If it is a very clear day there are views south to The Old Man of Hoy and the distant hills of Mainland Scotland.
View of Birsay Bay from Annie's Place shoreline with Marwick Head on the left of the bay and Brough of Birsay on the right.
Palace Village : Annie's Place is situated in the centre shoreline
Brough of Birsay is a tidal island a short stroll from Annie's Place
Island of Westray in the far distance and Costa hill on the right as you walk along the St Magnus Way
View of the cliffs/ caves as you walk north on St Magnus Way
Birsay Bay spread before you on the coastal walk to Marwick Head
Sunset over Birsay Bay as seen from the shoreline bench
