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East Mainland
 The East Mainland parishes of Tankerness, Holm and Deerness
have much to offer the visitor, having a charm all of their
own and being like a separate island in many ways. The area
is generally low-lying and mostly farmland, but all the same
has much of interest to see and do including many fine beaches,
some spectacular cliffs and good walking.
There is much evidence of early occupation in the form of
burnt mounds and brochs, most notably Dingieshowe on the
Deerness isthmus. The only ancient monument open to the visitor
is Minehowe. This enigmatic, well-like Iron Age structure
has 29 stone steps which descend in two flights to a small
chamber. Minehowe is a small part of a large unexplored prehistoric
landscape.
There are many good birding sites here including the flat
sands at Mill Sands and St Peter’s Pool, in Tankerness,
St Mary’s Loch and Graemeshall Loch, in Holm, the Mull
Head cliffs and moors, and the island of Copinsay. The latter
is an RSPB Reserve, hard to reach, but well worth the effort.
 Mull Head in Deerness is a Nature Reserve with indicated
paths. Near the entrance the Gloup is a large partially collapsed
cave which can be entered from seaward. The deep chasm needs
to be observed with care. The low cliffs at Mull Head are
a good place to see seabirds and seals.
Sandside, Newark and Dingieshowe are all very fine beaches
for a walk or picnic. Keep a good look out at Newark Bay
in case you should see the mermaid! The Covenanters’ Memorial
on the north side of Deerness is a poignant reminder of the
spot where about 250 political prisoners were drowned in
1688 whilst being transported to the West Indies aboard the “Crown”.
The Covenanters were against the imposition of the Book of
Common Prayer by Charles II.
The pretty village of St Mary’s in Holm overlooks
Holm Sound, through which U47 sailed in 1939 on its way to
sink HMS Royal Oak. There is a good view of the sound and
the Churchill Barriers from the hill east of the village.
The fertile area in the south east corner is known as Paplay,
where the Vikings found a large monastic settlement. No archaeological
remains have been excavated from this time here, but a high
status Pictish farmstead at Skaill in Deerness was examined
some time ago.
 Although the East Mainland does not have the archaeology
of the West Mainland, it offers another appealing aspect
of Orkney - almost like going to a different island without
having to take a ferry!
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