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Twiness

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Twiness

Craw Nev Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Craw Nev Credit: Anne Burgess

Twiness is a prominent headland located on the west coast of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Jutting out into the North Atlantic Ocean, it is situated at a latitude of approximately 59.05°N and a longitude of around 3.29°W. The headland offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding coastal landscape.

Characterized by its rugged cliffs and picturesque scenery, Twiness is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers. The headland is composed mainly of sandstone, which has been shaped over centuries by the relentless force of the ocean waves. This geological formation creates dramatic sea cliffs that tower above the crashing waves below.

The area surrounding Twiness is rich in wildlife, attracting a diverse range of seabirds such as puffins, fulmars, and guillemots. These birds nest in the cliffs and can often be spotted soaring through the skies or diving into the sea to catch fish. The coastal waters around Twiness are also home to seals and occasionally dolphins, providing additional wildlife-watching opportunities.

Twiness is easily accessible by road, with a car park nearby for visitors to leave their vehicles. From the car park, a well-maintained footpath leads to the headland, allowing visitors to explore its rugged beauty on foot. The path meanders along the cliff edge, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline and the distant islands.

In conclusion, Twiness is a remarkable headland on the west coast of the Orkney Islands, offering stunning views, diverse wildlife, and a chance to immerse oneself in the natural beauty of the Scottish coastline.

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Twiness Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.256732/-2.8899813 or Grid Reference HY4941. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Craw Nev Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Craw Nev
Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Boardwalk For the convenience of those walking to and from the cliff path, a boardwalk has been provided to get across a rough or wet patch.
Boardwalk
For the convenience of those walking to and from the cliff path, a boardwalk has been provided to get across a rough or wet patch.
Pink Campion Red Campion and White Campion, both of which occur here, are known to hybridise. This pale-flowered plant is probably such a hybrid.
Pink Campion
Red Campion and White Campion, both of which occur here, are known to hybridise. This pale-flowered plant is probably such a hybrid.
Puffin (Fratercula arctica) Although we were assured by several people that there were hundreds of Puffins at the Castle of Burrian, we saw only a few, of which this one posed obligingly for several minutes for us.
Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Although we were assured by several people that there were hundreds of Puffins at the Castle of Burrian, we saw only a few, of which this one posed obligingly for several minutes for us.
Cove at Saaclay The old six-inch map suggests that Saaclay is the name of the promontory from which this view was taken, but none of the maps names the cove itself.
Cove at Saaclay
The old six-inch map suggests that Saaclay is the name of the promontory from which this view was taken, but none of the maps names the cove itself.
Castle o' Burrian The name seems to be applied to the sea stack rather than just to the prehistoric site on its summit. It is supposed to be one of the best places to see Puffins, but we saw even fewer here than we had seen at the Brough of Birsay or the Brough of Bigging the previous day.
Castle o' Burrian
The name seems to be applied to the sea stack rather than just to the prehistoric site on its summit. It is supposed to be one of the best places to see Puffins, but we saw even fewer here than we had seen at the Brough of Birsay or the Brough of Bigging the previous day.
Castle o' Burrian From here you can clearly see that this is a rock stack, cut off from the land at high tide.
Castle o' Burrian
From here you can clearly see that this is a rock stack, cut off from the land at high tide.
Bare Rowa Bare Rowa seems to be the name of the bay or cove enclosed by the headland here.
Bare Rowa
Bare Rowa seems to be the name of the bay or cove enclosed by the headland here.
White Campion (Silene latifolia) The cliffs were thick with both White Campion and Red Campion, and a range of hybrids of all shades of pink.
White Campion (Silene latifolia)
The cliffs were thick with both White Campion and Red Campion, and a range of hybrids of all shades of pink.
Sea Campion (Silene uniflora) This campion is fairly common alongside the clifftop path.
Sea Campion (Silene uniflora)
This campion is fairly common alongside the clifftop path.
Thrift (Armeria maritima) A particularly fine clump of Thrift or Sea Pink.
Thrift (Armeria maritima)
A particularly fine clump of Thrift or Sea Pink.
Sands of Helzie Another of the string of little sandy beaches along the south coast of Westray. At the far side of the bay is Rapness Pier, where the vehicle ferry from Kirkwall comes in.
Sands of Helzie
Another of the string of little sandy beaches along the south coast of Westray. At the far side of the bay is Rapness Pier, where the vehicle ferry from Kirkwall comes in.
Rack Wick A bay which penetrates towards the central spine of Westray.
Rack Wick
A bay which penetrates towards the central spine of Westray.
Helzie Farm The barns are still in use, but the farmhouse is roofless.
Helzie Farm
The barns are still in use, but the farmhouse is roofless.
Sands of Helzie Fine white sand.
Sands of Helzie
Fine white sand.
The Sands of Helzie and a ferry The ferry from Kirkwall is about to arrive at Rapness.
The Sands of Helzie and a ferry
The ferry from Kirkwall is about to arrive at Rapness.
Westray - MV Golden Mariana at Rapness Pier This photograph was taken well before the pier was extended as the main ferry terminal on the island.
Westray - MV Golden Mariana at Rapness Pier
This photograph was taken well before the pier was extended as the main ferry terminal on the island.
Rapness Mill, Westray Two storey grain mill with repairs in modern materials that was placed on the at risk register in 1990. Canmore date it to the 18th century but a walking guide apparently by Orkney Island Council claims it to be built about 1850. Immediately prior to 1933 the Harcus family are said to work the mill. The 1843-1882 OS map shows the mill but I can't find an earlier detailed map.
Rapness Mill, Westray
Two storey grain mill with repairs in modern materials that was placed on the at risk register in 1990. Canmore date it to the 18th century but a walking guide apparently by Orkney Island Council claims it to be built about 1850. Immediately prior to 1933 the Harcus family are said to work the mill. The 1843-1882 OS map shows the mill but I can't find an earlier detailed map.
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Twiness is located at Grid Ref: HY4941 (Lat: 59.256732, Lng: -2.8899813)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///shredding.format.adjust. Near Pierowall, Orkney Islands

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Stynie Twiness Fessibar

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.256732,-2.8899813
Bay of Tafts
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 59.2555929/-2.8823233
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2597831/-2.8904318
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2604627/-2.8909249
OpenStreetMap
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Grim Ness Orkney
Burray Ness Orkney

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