Holm of Faray
Island Tidal islet in Orkney, Scotland
A small Orkney islet, Holm of Faray is visited by birdwatchers and sea kayakers; the island’s coastal shelves and nearby channels support seabird colonies and seal sightings.
Holm of Faray is a small, uninhabited islet in the Orkney archipelago off northern Scotland. It is one of several ‘holms’ clustered near the island of Faray.
The shoreline is rocky with short grass and coastal habitat typical of small Orkney islets. It is visited mainly by boaters and naturalists for shoreline exploration and seabird observation.
There are no known permanent structures on the islet and no recorded modern settlement. Like many small Orkney holms it has no infrastructure and has remained largely unchanged by development.
The islet sits immediately adjacent to the island of Faray in the northern part of the Orkney group, north of Mainland Orkney. Approaches are from nearby harbours on surrounding islands by private craft.
- Access: No facilities or services are available on the islet; visits require a privately chartered boat and basic landing gear for rocky shores.
How to Get to Holm of Faray #
Holm of Faray is reached only by private boat. The nearest inhabited islands with regular ferry links are Westray and Eday; from there, local boat operators and wildlife tour skippers can arrange trips when weather permits.
Best Time to Visit Holm of Faray #
A small, uninhabited skerry off the Orkney archipelago best visited on calm summer days.
Weather & Climate near Holm of Faray #
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 3°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1076 mm/year), wettest in November.
January
January is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 12°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (131 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
