UKC

I shall be cycle touring on Orkney, and intend spending a night at Rackwick Bay, but am getting confused about water, people mention Bothies, public. Toilets and hostels.

Any advice?

TIA

We stayed in Rackwick Bay about 6 years ago to climb the old man. Got a taxi from Moaness to save the walk and time. Very basic bothy there, don't recall any toilets or running water?  When we arrived it was empty, but after returning from climbing around 11 pm, the place was packed with sleeping cyclists, so we ended up in a bivvy outside. Hoy was a cool place though+ we should have spent longer there, rather then climbing the old man+ getting first ferry out the next morning.

I was at the Bothy over the weekend. There's is a toilet and a sink with running water at the Bothy. There are also toilets with hot water at the carpark about 10 mins walk from the bothy. Lots of signs advising all water to be boiled before drinking.

There is also rats hanging about the bothy and camp ground, so keep all food in containers/off the floor.

It is a fantastic place to stay and is looked after by a local warden.

Now I'm not saying you shouldn't boil the water but...

Lots of places put these signs up to try and avoid liability for anyone getting sick when the water is generally safe to drink but not tested or treated.

Thanks for the replies, replying from my tent overlooking the bay, very nice.

Water and bog at Bothy and advises to boil, wish I had brought my Steripen.

Last night as I walked past saw a Rat entering back of Bothy, remember, there are country Rats too.

Seem to be a load of tents pitched at Bothy, looks like an outdoor group, but just 3 people, I assume they have a group coming,  seems a bit mean to me, but i am just passing through, so what do I know.

Saw the Old Man last night and a team just getting to the ground, it's never over until your feet are back on the ground, Olé.

Almost certainly a primary school group from mainland Orkney.  Most of the kids get a few days outdoor ed on Hoy when they are about 10 or 11.  

Thats nice