Happy Valley

Happy Valley is a woodland garden in Stenness on the Orkney Islands with paths winding beside a peaty stream and numerous native plants surrounding a central cottage. The space spreads across a valley where carefully laid routes pass between trees and shrubs.

Edwin Harrold started shaping this space in 1948 and worked for decades to turn bare hillside into a planted garden. The transformation continued until the 1990s, accomplished without formal property ownership of the site.

The garden reflects one person's dedication to planting hundreds of trees in an area where woodlands are naturally uncommon. Today it stands as evidence of how individual effort can reshape a barren landscape.

A small car park provides entry to the site, but paths often become slippery and demanding in wet weather throughout the year. Sturdy footwear and careful steps are wise since the ground tends to be damp.

The site features a self-built water system complete with a small dam and mini-hydroelectric generator that powered the cottage independently from any grid connection. This off-grid energy setup allowed the garden to operate for decades entirely on its own power.

Location: Orkney Islands

GPS coordinates: 58.97720,-3.16667

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:00