Scarsa

Cliff, Slope in Orkney

Scotland

Scarsa

Old Man of Hoy
Old Man of Hoy Credit: Matthew Chadwick

Scarsa is a small settlement located on the west coast of the Orkney Islands, an archipelago in northern Scotland. It is situated on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and is characterized by its stunning natural beauty and rugged terrain.

The settlement of Scarsa is known for its dramatic cliff formations and steep slopes, which provide breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The cliffs, composed of weathered sandstone and shale, reach heights of up to 50 meters in some areas, creating an impressive backdrop for the village.

The slopes of Scarsa are covered in lush vegetation, including grasses, heather, and wildflowers, which add vibrant colors to the landscape. The area is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including seabirds such as puffins and gannets, which nest on the cliffs, and seals that can often be spotted basking on the nearby rocks.

Despite its remote location, Scarsa attracts a small number of visitors who come to admire its natural beauty and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and birdwatching. The settlement itself consists of a handful of traditional stone houses, many of which have been renovated and converted into holiday cottages, providing accommodation options for those wishing to explore the area.

Scarsa, Orkney (Cliff, Slope) is a place of outstanding natural beauty, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rugged and picturesque landscape of the Orkney Islands.

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Scarsa Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.887973/-3.4244257 or Grid Reference HY1700. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old Man of Hoy
Old Man of Hoy
Coast of Hoy from Kame of Hoy to the Old Man of Hoy
Coast of Hoy from Kame of Hoy to the Old Man of Hoy
Old Man of Hoy from the north
Old Man of Hoy from the north
Old Man of Hoy and Rora Head
Old Man of Hoy and Rora Head
Old Man of Hoy from the south
Old Man of Hoy from the south
Old Man of Hoy
Old Man of Hoy
Land slump at Runnarto
Land slump at Runnarto
Cliffs at Tuaks of the Boy
Cliffs at Tuaks of the Boy
Cliffs above the Neuk
Cliffs above the Neuk
The Old Man seen from the top of the climbers' path The split through the upper section of the stack is clearly seen.
The Old Man seen from the top of the climbers' path
The split through the upper section of the stack is clearly seen.
The well-made track to the viewing point When I was here in the 1970s, this was just moorland with no paths!
The well-made track to the viewing point
When I was here in the 1970s, this was just moorland with no paths!
Old Man of Hoy The famous red sandstone stack off the west coast of Hoy, seen from the Scrabster to Stromness ferry. Camera position from GPS is HY 15940058.
Old Man of Hoy
The famous red sandstone stack off the west coast of Hoy, seen from the Scrabster to Stromness ferry. Camera position from GPS is HY 15940058.
Cliffs to the north of Rora Head from the sea
Cliffs to the north of Rora Head from the sea
Rora Head from the sea
Rora Head from the sea
The track towards the Old Man Well-defined, but rough in places.
The track towards the Old Man
Well-defined, but rough in places.
Rora Head, Hoy, Orkney Looking towards Rackwick Bay (one of the most beautiful places I know). The beach in the bay has huge boulders (6'diameter, some of them) and in major storms they roll around the beach like giants are playing marbles. Hoy (High) is geologically younger than the rest of Orkney, so has eroded differently and is higher.
Rora Head, Hoy, Orkney
Looking towards Rackwick Bay (one of the most beautiful places I know). The beach in the bay has huge boulders (6'diameter, some of them) and in major storms they roll around the beach like giants are playing marbles. Hoy (High) is geologically younger than the rest of Orkney, so has eroded differently and is higher.
A walker on the path to the Old man of Hoy south of Moor Fea
A walker on the path to the Old man of Hoy south of Moor Fea
A southerly view from near Black  Nev
A southerly view from near Black Nev
Show me another place!

Scarsa is located at Grid Ref: HY1700 (Lat: 58.887973, Lng: -3.4244257)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///imprints.keeps.saving. Near Stromness, Orkney Islands

Related Wikis

Old Man of Hoy

The Old Man of Hoy is a 449-foot (137-metre) sea stack on Hoy, part of the Orkney archipelago off the north coast of Scotland. Formed from Old Red Sandstone...

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.887973,-3.4244257
Old Man of Hoy
Ele: 137
Natural: peak
Source: OS7
Wikidata: Q2738637
Lat/Long: 58.8865172/-3.4308336
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 58.8856449/-3.4283774
Stours Kinora
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 58.889905/-3.4176352
The Stour
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 58.8859131/-3.4197302
Tuaks of the Boy
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 58.8855197/-3.4265147
Scarsa
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 58.8878571/-3.4228444
Old Man of Hoy
Tourism: attraction
Wheelchair: no
Lat/Long: 58.8864222/-3.4308992
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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