Light, Landscape, and Wildlife: Orkney - A Photographer’s Paradise
The Orkney Islands are a photographer’s dream. With dramatic coastlines, sweeping skies, ancient ruins, and abundant wildlife, every corner offers a new subject to capture. Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to spend time exploring these islands with my camera in hand, and three places always draw me back.
Each location offers something unique – whether it’s the interplay of light on wild seascapes, the textures of cliffs carved by the North Atlantic, or the cheeky character of puffins as they return to their nesting burrows. In this blog, I’ll share why these three locations are my absolute favourites and a few tips for making the most of them if you’re planning your own photographic adventure in Orkney.
Brough of Birsay – History, Tides, and Dramatic Views
The Brough of Birsay is the first location which is my favourite location to photograph on the Orkney Islands. It is a tidal island on the northwest tip of Mainland Orkney. Accessible only at low tide via a causeway of rocks, it’s a place where history, nature, and seascapes come together in one unforgettable setting.
As a photographer, the first thing that strikes you is the light. Standing on the causeway as the tide recedes, the wet stones reflect the sky, creating patterns that lead your eye straight to the island. On overcast days, the scene can look moody and atmospheric, while at sunset the whole place glows in golden light.
On the island itself, the remains of Norse and Pictish settlements make for fascinating subjects. The ruins are weathered and rugged, perfect foregrounds against the backdrop of cliffs and ocean. I’ve often found myself crouching low to capture the textures of old stone walls while letting the wide horizon stretch beyond them.
The cliffs at the back of the Brough are equally photogenic. Seabirds wheel overhead, waves crash below, and in summer wildflowers cling stubbornly to the edges. Long exposure shots here work beautifully, softening the sea into mist while the rock formations hold firm and sharp.
However, for me, the best compositions can be found further back from the Brough and looking across the water. At low tide, the bedrocks rise about the water creating some fantastic shots. Whilst at high tides the incoming water can quite often add amazing drama to the scene.
Photography tips for Brough of Birsay:
Check the tide tables – you only have a window of a few hours on and off the island.
Bring a wide-angle lens for capturing both the ruins and the sweeping views.
Don’t ignore the small details – shells, tidal pools, and lichen-covered stones often make wonderful abstract compositions.
Yesnaby – Cliffs, Stacks, and the Power of the Sea
The most iconic feature is the Yesnaby Castle sea stack, a two-legged tower of rock that looks almost impossibly fragile against the waves. Photographing it never gets old. From some angles it looks solid and immovable, from others it seems like a sculpture about to topple into the sea. Long exposure photography here can create surreal images, with streaked clouds racing overhead and softened seas swirling around the base.
But it’s not just the famous stack – the whole stretch of coastline here offers a multitude of opportunities for coastal and seascape photography. Every turn in the cliff path reveals new perspectives: arches, hidden coves, and jagged outcrops pounded relentlessly by the sea. Personally, I find the conditions at high tide with the wind blowing the most exhilarating. When the Atlantic is at its wildest, the waves thunder into the cliffs, sending plumes of spray skyward and creating moments of raw spectacle that can be frozen in a single frame. At these times, the photographs seem to capture not just the landscape, but the untamed spirit of the ocean itself.
The more you walk here, the further you venture along the cliff tops, and the longer you linger with your camera, the more rewards Yesnaby offers. The coastline is never static – it changes minute by minute as tides shift and skies transform. Patience is essential. By simply watching and waiting, you begin to tune into the rhythm of the waves and the dance of light across the cliffs. The drama of Yesnaby is not just in its grand rock formations, but in these ever-changing moods, which make it a location that truly comes alive through photography.
This is also a location where the skies do half the work. Orkney is famous for its ever-changing weather, and Yesnaby puts on a constant show of fast-moving clouds, shafts of sunlight, and brooding storms. I’ve often stood with my camera, waiting for that fleeting moment when the sun breaks through and ignites the cliffs in golden light
Photography tips for Yesnaby:
A sturdy tripod is essential – the winds here can be fierce.
Experiment with different shutter speeds to capture either the ferocity or the softness of the sea.
Safety first – the cliffs are sheer and crumbly, so always keep a safe distance.
Puffins on Westray – Characterful Birds and Coastal Beauty
While cliffs and ruins are wonderful subjects, nothing quite compares to photographing puffins. These little seabirds are the undisputed stars of Orkney’s wildlife, and one of the best places to see them up close is Westray.
During the summer months (April to August) the puffins nest in burrows along the cliffs at Castle o’ Burrian, where you can spend hours watching them fly in with beaks full of sand eels or simply standing at the edge of the cliffs, looking comically thoughtful. What makes puffins so rewarding to photograph is their character – they’re both elegant in flight and charmingly clumsy on land. Their bright beaks and expressive eyes make them instantly photogenic.
On Westray, the puffins are often surprisingly tolerant of humans. You can sit quietly on the grass (always careful not to disturb their burrows) and wait as they shuffle closer. A wide angle lens helps capture close-ups without intrusion. Quite often they are just a matter of feet away from you.
It’s not just the puffins that make Westray special. The cliffs themselves are stunning, with sweeping views of the North Atlantic, and the light here can shift from soft pastel evenings to blazing golden hours in a matter of minutes. Combining wildlife shots with wider landscape frames gives a full sense of place.
Photography tips for puffins on Westray:
A wide angle zoom lens is ideal for close-ups while keeping a respectful distance.
Go in the evening – the light is softer, and puffins are more active returning to their burrows.
Patience pays off – wait for moments of interaction, whether it’s puffins billing (a courtship behaviour) or landing clumsily on the cliff edge.
Final Thoughts
The Orkney Islands offer a wealth of photographic opportunities, but for me, Brough of Birsay, Yesnaby, and puffins on Westray are the perfect trio. Together, they capture what makes Orkney so special – a blend of history, wild landscapes, and thriving wildlife.
At Brough of Birsay, you feel the pull of the past as tides shape your access and ruins whisper stories of centuries gone by. At Yesnaby, the sheer force of the Atlantic is laid bare, reminding you of nature’s power and beauty. And on Westray, puffins bring joy and character to the cliffs, embodying the living heart of the islands.
For any photographer, whether amateur or professional, these locations promise not just great images but unforgettable experiences. And that’s what photography is all about – not just the photos we take, but the places they take us and the memories they leave behind.
