1. Home
  2. Scotland
  3. Highlands and Islands
  4. Orkney Islands
  5. Orkney
  6. Pentland Skerries

Pentland Skerries

Island Group in Orkney

Scotland

Pentland Skerries

Muckle Skerry from the air Guarding the eastern approach to Pentland Firth.
Muckle Skerry from the air Credit: Bill Boaden

Pentland Skerries is a remote island group located off the north coast of Scotland, in the Orkney archipelago. Consisting of around 30 small islands and skerries, this unique and picturesque destination is renowned for its rugged beauty and rich biodiversity.

The Pentland Skerries are situated in the Pentland Firth, a treacherous stretch of water known for its strong tidal currents. Due to its challenging maritime conditions, the islands have a long history of shipwrecks, which has contributed to their allure and mystery.

The main islands of the group include Muckle Skerry, Little Skerry, and Out Skerries. These islands are predominantly composed of exposed rock formations, with little vegetation or trees. However, they are home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

The waters surrounding the Pentland Skerries are teeming with marine life, including seals, dolphins, and various species of fish. The area is also famous for its rich fishing grounds, attracting anglers from all over the world.

Access to Pentland Skerries is limited, with no regular ferry service. However, the islands can be reached by private boat or chartered tours from nearby Orkney mainland. Visitors can enjoy exploring the rugged coastline, spotting wildlife, and taking in the breathtaking views of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Overall, Pentland Skerries offers a unique and secluded escape for those seeking untamed natural beauty and a chance to immerse themselves in the wilds of the Orkney archipelago.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Pentland Skerries Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.682754/-2.9037626 or Grid Reference ND4777. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Muckle Skerry from the air Guarding the eastern approach to Pentland Firth.
Muckle Skerry from the air
Guarding the eastern approach to Pentland Firth.
Muckle Skerry Aerial view of Muckle Skerry, taken on a flight from Inverness to Shetland via Orkney. The two towers of the lighthouse can clearly be seen - only the taller of these (on the left) now shows a light. For more details see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/754955">ND4678 : Muckle Skerry Lighthouse</a> To the west (right on the image) the three little water features near the coast can be discerned. Behind the island can be seen two of the accompanying tiny skerry groups - almost level with the lighthouses is Louther Skerry at ND47917720 (showing as nothing much more than a whitish streak); and top left of the image is Clettack Skerry (ND48557757)
Muckle Skerry
Aerial view of Muckle Skerry, taken on a flight from Inverness to Shetland via Orkney. The two towers of the lighthouse can clearly be seen - only the taller of these (on the left) now shows a light. For more details see ND4678 : Muckle Skerry Lighthouse To the west (right on the image) the three little water features near the coast can be discerned. Behind the island can be seen two of the accompanying tiny skerry groups - almost level with the lighthouses is Louther Skerry at ND47917720 (showing as nothing much more than a whitish streak); and top left of the image is Clettack Skerry (ND48557757)
Muckle Skerry The largest of the Pentland Skerries. Rising to 20 metres above sea level, the term "Skerry" is strictly speaking not applicable to this island, unlike the neighbouring tidal rocks. The lighthouse was built in 1794 by Thomas Smith and Robert Stevenson, one of a long line of distinguished lighthouse engineers. To the right of the operational light is a second lighthouse, now disused.
Muckle Skerry
The largest of the Pentland Skerries. Rising to 20 metres above sea level, the term "Skerry" is strictly speaking not applicable to this island, unlike the neighbouring tidal rocks. The lighthouse was built in 1794 by Thomas Smith and Robert Stevenson, one of a long line of distinguished lighthouse engineers. To the right of the operational light is a second lighthouse, now disused.
Muckle Skerry, Pentland Firth, at dawn
Muckle Skerry, Pentland Firth, at dawn
Muckle Skerry lighthouse A good view from the Pentland Venture ferry after leaving Burwick harbour
Muckle Skerry lighthouse
A good view from the Pentland Venture ferry after leaving Burwick harbour
Little Skerry, Pentland Skerries, from the sea Taken from about ND 4475
Little Skerry, Pentland Skerries, from the sea
Taken from about ND 4475
Muckle Skerry, Pentland Skerries, from the sea Taken from about ND 4476
Muckle Skerry, Pentland Skerries, from the sea
Taken from about ND 4476
Muckle Skerry: lighthouse A very distant view of Muckle Skerry, one of the Pentland Skerries, from Duncansby Head. See <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muckle_Skerry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muckle_Skerry">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>
Muckle Skerry: lighthouse
A very distant view of Muckle Skerry, one of the Pentland Skerries, from Duncansby Head. See LinkExternal link
Muckle Skerry Lighthouse Muckle Skerry lighthouse seen from the perimeter wall. Completed in 1794, it was the first lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson and T Smith. It originally consisted of two light towers but this was changed to a more powerful single light in 1895. The main lighthouse is 36 metres high. It became automated in 1994.
Muckle Skerry Lighthouse
Muckle Skerry lighthouse seen from the perimeter wall. Completed in 1794, it was the first lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson and T Smith. It originally consisted of two light towers but this was changed to a more powerful single light in 1895. The main lighthouse is 36 metres high. It became automated in 1994.
"The Dump", Muckle Skerry lighthouse This is where waste of all kinds was dumped from the lighthouse. Unless there was a Northerly gale blowing of course! The locals are enjoying the pleasant weather.
"The Dump", Muckle Skerry lighthouse
This is where waste of all kinds was dumped from the lighthouse. Unless there was a Northerly gale blowing of course! The locals are enjoying the pleasant weather.
Muckle Skerry from the air See <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muckle_Skerry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muckle_Skerry">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>
Muckle Skerry from the air
See LinkExternal link
Muckle Skerry Lighthouse
Muckle Skerry Lighthouse
Show me another place!

Pentland Skerries is located at Grid Ref: ND4777 (Lat: 58.682754, Lng: -2.9037626)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///pigment.bypassed.varieties. Near John o' Groats, Highland

Nearby Locations

Pentland Skerries Louther Skerry

Related Wikis

Pentland Skerries
Pentland Skerries

The Pentland Skerries (Old Norse: Pettlandssker) are a group of four uninhabited islands lying in the Pentland Firth, northeast of Duncansby Head and south...

SM U-18
SM U-18

SM U-18 was one of 329 submarines serving in the Imperial German Navy in World War I. U-18 engaged in the commerce warfare in the First Battle of the Atlantic...

Muckle Skerry
Muckle Skerry

Muckle Skerry is the largest of the Pentland Skerries that lie off the north coast of Scotland. It is home to the Pentland Skerries Lighthouse. Muckle...

Tomb of the Eagles
Tomb of the Eagles

The Tomb of the Eagles, or Isbister Chambered Cairn, is a Neolithic chambered tomb located on a cliff edge at Isbister on South Ronaldsay in Orkney, Scotland...

The Creet Orkney
Orkney Islands Orkney

Have you been to Pentland Skerries?

Leave your review of Pentland Skerries below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy