In spring and summer the red sandstone cliffs of Marwick Head are thronged with nesting seabirds. The third largest sea bird colony on Orkney, it is a great spot to watch the many thousands of guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars. A few puffins can also be seen – if you look carefully. Arctic and great skuas harry the seabirds throughout the summer. The cliff top has spectacular displays of sea campion, thrift, and spring squill.

There is a massive monument which commemorates Lord Kitchener, Minister of War. He was drowned when HMS Hampshire was lost near here with almost all of her crew on 6 June 1916.