Haco's Ness

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Haco's Ness

Standing Stone in Shapinsay
Standing Stone in Shapinsay Credit: fabio sassi

Haco's Ness is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, an archipelago situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland. This headland, also referred to as Haco's Point, is situated on the main island of Orkney, known as Mainland.

Haco's Ness is located on the western coast of Mainland, near the village of Stromness. It extends into the Atlantic Ocean, forming a distinct point that juts out into the sea. The headland is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which rise dramatically from the water, providing stunning views of the surrounding coastline and the open ocean.

The area surrounding Haco's Ness is rich in natural beauty and biodiversity. The headland is covered in lush grasses and heather, providing habitat for a variety of plant species. The cliffs are home to numerous seabird colonies, including puffins, fulmars, and guillemots, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

In addition to its natural beauty, Haco's Ness also has historical significance. The headland is named after King Hakon IV of Norway, who is said to have landed here in the 13th century during his campaign to assert Norwegian control over Orkney. The area is also known for its connection to the famous Scottish poet and novelist, George Mackay Brown, who was born in Stromness and often drew inspiration from the rugged coastline and sea views of Haco's Ness in his works.

Overall, Haco's Ness is a captivating coastal feature that offers a combination of natural beauty, wildlife, and historical significance, making it a must-visit destination for visitors to Orkney.

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Haco's Ness Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.018313/-2.8317771 or Grid Reference HY5214. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Standing Stone in Shapinsay
Standing Stone in Shapinsay
Nr Putaquoy Looking toward Newlot
Nr Putaquoy Looking toward Newlot
Holm of Burghlee Shapinsay
Holm of Burghlee Shapinsay
General View of area Looking toward Holm of Burghlee. A remote area frequented by birds more than man.
General View of area
Looking toward Holm of Burghlee. A remote area frequented by birds more than man.
The Foot, Shapinsay The easternmost headland of the island, from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
The Foot, Shapinsay
The easternmost headland of the island, from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness, Shapinsay From the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness, Shapinsay
From the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness and Bay of Sandgarth, Shapinsay Taken from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness and Bay of Sandgarth, Shapinsay
Taken from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Mor Stein The information board says that it is known locally as the Moora Stone. It has lost some of its height since the Reverend George Barry described it as the Standing Stone of Shapinsay  in the Statistical Account of Shapinsay <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://stataccscot.edina.ac.uk/static/statacc/dist/viewer/osa-vol17-Parish_record_for_Shapinshay_in_the_county_of_Orkney_in_volume_17_of_account_1/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://stataccscot.edina.ac.uk/static/statacc/dist/viewer/osa-vol17-Parish_record_for_Shapinshay_in_the_county_of_Orkney_in_volume_17_of_account_1/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> in 1796. It now stands 2.9 metres tall, 0.95 metres wide and 0.45 metres thick, and is still covered with lichen as it was over 200 years ago. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, but the citation <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM1323" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM1323">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> is unusually devoid of information.
Mor Stein
The information board says that it is known locally as the Moora Stone. It has lost some of its height since the Reverend George Barry described it as the Standing Stone of Shapinsay in the Statistical Account of Shapinsay LinkExternal link in 1796. It now stands 2.9 metres tall, 0.95 metres wide and 0.45 metres thick, and is still covered with lichen as it was over 200 years ago. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, but the citation LinkExternal link is unusually devoid of information.
Haco's Ness This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks  belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness
This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks  belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness
This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness Lurking under the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as very little of it is visible.
Haco's Ness
Lurking under the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as very little of it is visible.
Haco's Ness The stones lurking among the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as so little of it is visible.
Haco's Ness
The stones lurking among the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as so little of it is visible.
Wildfowling Hide? We thought that's what this must be, as it overlooks a shallow pond that would be likely to attract migrating geese.
Wildfowling Hide?
We thought that's what this must be, as it overlooks a shallow pond that would be likely to attract migrating geese.
Ruined Cottage A cottage at Haco's Ness.
Ruined Cottage
A cottage at Haco's Ness.
Sandgarth A croft at Haco's Ness.
Sandgarth
A croft at Haco's Ness.
Mor Stein Standing Stone, Shapinsay, Orkney Islands Mor Stein in an agricultural field, with background of Orkney Mainland.
Mor Stein Standing Stone, Shapinsay, Orkney Islands
Mor Stein in an agricultural field, with background of Orkney Mainland.
Castle Bloody Souterrain This mysterious prehistoric monument is situated near the coast at the highest topographic point on southeast Shapinsay.
Castle Bloody Souterrain
This mysterious prehistoric monument is situated near the coast at the highest topographic point on southeast Shapinsay.
Wave-cut platform near Winter Noust The pebble and boulder beach gives way to the wave-cut platform and seaweed exposed by the low tide.
Wave-cut platform near Winter Noust
The pebble and boulder beach gives way to the wave-cut platform and seaweed exposed by the low tide.
Show me another place!

Haco's Ness is located at Grid Ref: HY5214 (Lat: 59.018313, Lng: -2.8317771)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///dilute.voting.tastes. Near Balfour, Orkney Islands

Related Wikis

Castle Bloody

Castle Bloody is a prehistoric feature on the island of Shapinsay, Orkney, Scotland. Hogan observes that while the feature is marked as a chambered mound...

Mor Stein

Mor Stein is a neolithic standing stone in the southeastern part of the island of Shapinsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Shapinsay is one of the two large...

Bay of Linton

The Bay of Linton is a bay on the east coast on the island of Shapinsay in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. To the north of Linton Bay are the headlands...

Linton Chapel

Linton Chapel is a ruined chapel on the east coast of Shapinsay, Orkney (Grid Reference HY5218). The chapel is thought to date as early as the 12th century...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.018313,-2.8317771
Hackosness aka Haco's Ness
Place: locality
Source: OS7
Lat/Long: 59.0190964/-2.8307306
Site of Chambered Cairn (Neolithic)
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 59.0185984/-2.8344208
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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