Hoy is the geographical odd one out in Orkney — high, steep, and partly forested, in contrast to the flat green pastures of the other islands. Ward Hill, at 479 metres, is the highest point in the archipelago. The west coast holds the Old Man of Hoy, the Dwarfie Stane, and the deep gorge of Rackwick. The east coast around Lyness contains the Scapa Flow Museum and the World War wartime infrastructure.
Two ferries serve the island: a passenger ferry from Stromness to Moaness in the north (closer to the Old Man), and a car ferry from Houton to Lyness in the south. Allow at least a full day; an overnight is much better.