St Magnus Way: Walk or cycle Orkney Mainland

Orkney is a hidden outdoor destination in Scotland, offering world-class prehistory, approachable wildlife, and Orcadian hospitality. The 60-mile St Magnus Way is a pilgrimage walk celebrating Magnus, the patron saint of Orkney, and the 67-mile St Magnus Cycleway is a bike trail that visits the same places. This essential trail guide contains all you need to plan your visit on foot or bike, with forewords by Magnus Linklater, a biography of St Magnus, planning info, richly illustrated sections on history, geology, and wildlife, and concise step-by-step directions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 72 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2023
Publisher: Rucksack Readers

Orkney, a hidden gem in Scotland, is a remarkable outdoor destination that surpasses expectations in accessibility, whether by ferry or plane. It boasts a wealth of world-class prehistoric sites, approachable wildlife, and warm Orcadian hospitality. This pilgrimage walk, commemorating the martyrdom of Orkney's patron saint, Magnus, over 900 years ago, takes you on a journey along the 60-mile St Magnus Way. This trail offers a perfect blend of manageable daily distances, breathtaking coastal vistas, unique wildlife encounters, tidal islands, historical landmarks, and diverse terrains.

Starting from the site of Magnus's martyrdom on Egilsay, the St Magnus Way culminates at his cathedral in Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney. For cyclists, the 67-mile (108 km) St Magnus Cycleway follows the same route as the Way but predominantly utilizes tarmac, making it easily divisible into two circuits of 27 and 40 miles (44 km and 64 km). This comprehensive trail guide is your essential companion for planning a visit on foot or by bike.

In the Foreword by Magnus Linklater, you will gain insights into the life and legacy of St Magnus and his magnificent cathedral. The guide provides comprehensive planning information for travel by car, ferry, and plane, along with richly illustrated sections on history, geology, and wildlife. It also includes detailed visit information for museums, distilleries, and the World Heritage Site of Skara Brae.

Concise step-by-step directions are provided, accompanied by 14 pages featuring route mapping at a scale of 1:30,000 in full color, accompanied by 101 stunning photos. Whether you choose to walk or cycle, the St Magnus Way and St Magnus Cycleway offer unforgettable experiences, allowing you to explore the rich heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality of Orkney. Uncover this secret treasure and embark on a pilgrimage that will leave you in awe of Scotland's hidden gems.

Weight: 181g
Dimension: 220 x 130 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913817107