Paddle Boarding Loch of Harray – Ring of Brodgar

I love standing stones, their presence intrigues me. With so much water around the site of the Ring of Brodgar I decided there must be some way of paddle boarding in the area and the Loch of Harray seemed the best option.

The Main Points

• Location – Ring of Brodgar car park, Mainland, Orkney
• Cost – Free access from carpark
• Conditions – Freshwater Loch (however is connected to the Loch of Stenness which is brackish)
• Other users – Small fishing boats
• Entry Point – Sandy/pebbly beach beach
• Surrounding amenities/Bathrooms- Village of Stenness 3.3km south (Petrol station, licenced grocer and Maes Howe visitor centre with bathroom, town of Stromness 10km south west with more faucilities (ferry to mainland Scotland)

Location

Weather

Paddle Boarding on the Loch of Harray at the Ring of Brodgar

Just off the car park to the Ring of Brodgar is a spot for one vehicle to park leading down to the waters edge. During our visit there weren’t many people using the car park so we decided it would be ok to leave Harmony parked there while we went for a quick paddle. If you are wanting to go paddle boarding on Loch Harray at the Ring of Brodgar we suggest finding a time when there is plenty of available parking.

The loch itself if fairly shallow so caution needs to be exercised when paddle boarding so as not to fall onto submerged rocks. The water is fairly clear so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem for vigilant paddlers.

Paddle boarding south along the shore of the Loch of Harray you get to the best vantage point for the Ring of Brodgar. This also brings you close to the anchor stone and a wee hidden gem – a balancing stone. I have done a little research into the balancing stone and couldn’t find any information on it. It might be historic or maybe something created a little more recently. It makes for a pretty cool photo though!

Watch our video of Paddle Boarding on the Loch of Harray at the Ring of Brodgar here

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