Helliar Holm Island

Helliar Holm is a small, uninhabited islet in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. It lies off the coast of the Orkney archipelago and is principally of interest for natural history and coastal landscape.

Like many small Orkney islets, Helliar Holm has a history of occasional use for seasonal bird and egg gathering in past centuries, but it has no continuous permanent settlement. Any archaeological remains present are limited and not prominent compared with larger Orkney sites.

Helliar Holm sits off the coast of Orkney in northern Scotland; it is reached visually from nearby inhabited islands in the archipelago and lies within the council area of Orkney.

• Access: Uninhabited and exposed to Atlantic weather, best visited or observed from nearby Orkney shores or by boat rather than by land.

Helliar Holm is a small islet off the Orkney coast and is not served by regular public transport; it is reached only by private boat or charter. The usual embarkation point is Kirkwall (the main town on Mainland Orkney); arrange a private boat or wildlife/cruise operator from Kirkwall harbour or from nearby Orkney settlements to land or view the islet offshore.

• Arrange any visit through an Orkney-based boat operator or wildlife tour rather than trying to land independently; Helliar Holm is tidal and landing is only safe in calm conditions with local knowledge.
• Aim for late spring or early summer (breeding season) to see seabird colonies from the boat; photographers and birdwatchers will get the best views from a circumnavigation rather than attempting to go ashore.
• Check weather and sea forecasts closely before booking; seas around Orkney can become rough quickly, and many operators cancel or alter itineraries for safety-respect skipper guidance about landing or staying offshore.