Keefa Hill

Hill, Mountain in Orkney

Scotland

Keefa Hill

West Winni Skerry on Swona
West Winni Skerry on Swona Credit: John Ferguson

Keefa Hill is a prominent landform located in the Orkney Islands, an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland. Situated in the southern part of the largest island, Mainland, Keefa Hill stands at an elevation of approximately 150 meters above sea level. It is categorized as a hill rather than a mountain due to its lower height compared to the surrounding landforms.

The hill is characterized by its gently sloping sides and a rounded summit. It is primarily composed of sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone and shale, which were formed millions of years ago during the Devonian period. The geology of Keefa Hill, along with the rest of the Orkney Islands, is a testament to the region's complex geological history.

Keefa Hill offers a picturesque view of the surrounding countryside, with its slopes covered in a patchwork of heather, grasses, and wildflowers. The area is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including birds, rabbits, and various plant species adapted to the harsh coastal climate.

The hill is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts, who can enjoy leisurely walks or more challenging treks to the summit. The surrounding area provides opportunities for outdoor activities such as birdwatching, photography, and picnicking.

Keefa Hill, with its natural beauty and tranquil ambiance, serves as a reminder of the rich and diverse landscape that the Orkney Islands offer to visitors and residents alike.

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Keefa Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.742825/-3.0567776 or Grid Reference ND3884. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

West Winni Skerry on Swona
West Winni Skerry on Swona
The North Head, Swona
The North Head, Swona
Beacon on Swona, Pentland Firth, at dawn
Beacon on Swona, Pentland Firth, at dawn
Dawn over Swona, Pentland Firth
Dawn over Swona, Pentland Firth
Dawn over Swona, Pentland Firth
Dawn over Swona, Pentland Firth
Dawn over Swona, Pentland Firth South Ronaldsay in the background.
Dawn over Swona, Pentland Firth
South Ronaldsay in the background.
Beacon on the Tarf, Swona, Pentland Firth
Beacon on the Tarf, Swona, Pentland Firth
Swona from the south Taken from about ND 3922
Swona from the south
Taken from about ND 3922
The Tarf, Swona, from the south
The Tarf, Swona, from the south
Sooth Clett, Swona, from the sea Taken from about ND 3681
Sooth Clett, Swona, from the sea
Taken from about ND 3681
Swona, Orkney, from the air
Swona, Orkney, from the air
Skerries at SW tip of Swona The navigation light visible in the background.

Photo taken from "Pentalina" ferry between Gills Bay and St Margaret's Hope.
Skerries at SW tip of Swona
The navigation light visible in the background. Photo taken from "Pentalina" ferry between Gills Bay and St Margaret's Hope.
Buildings on Swona
Buildings on Swona
Tails of the Tarf The disturbed water shows some of the dangers of the Pentland Firth for small vessels. Only a small part of the tip of the island of Swona is in this square.
Tails of the Tarf
The disturbed water shows some of the dangers of the Pentland Firth for small vessels. Only a small part of the tip of the island of Swona is in this square.
The Tarf, Swona A navigation beacon at the southern end of the island.
The Tarf, Swona
A navigation beacon at the southern end of the island.
Tails of the Tarf Skerries on the southern tip of Swona, Pentland Firth.
Tails of the Tarf
Skerries on the southern tip of Swona, Pentland Firth.
Swona View from the Pentland Ferries boat passing to the west.
Swona
View from the Pentland Ferries boat passing to the west.
Swona The island is situated in the Pentland Firth where it creates an obstruction to the strong tides producing tidal races, over-falls and whirlpools. One of these whirlpools is known as the ‘Wells of Swona’, and legend has it is caused by a witch struggling to save herself. To quote directly from Westwood and Kingshill’s book “The Lore of Scotland: A guide to Scottish legends”:

"A witch once took a fancy to a dark and handsome young man and wanted him for her lover. When she asked him to go to the beach with her, however, he refused, as his sweetheart was at that moment on her way to join him. Concealing her anger, the witch persuaded the young man and his girl to come out with her in her boat. As they approached Swona, she worked a spell on the boat and it overturned. The young man caught his girl’s hand in an attempt to save her, but at the same moment the witch caught hold of his to drag him under the waves and into her power. The three were so entangled that they could not be pulled apart. The young man and his sweetheart were drowned, but the witch is still struggling to get free, and it is her frantic churning of the waters that causes the Wells of Swona."

Adapted from my daily photo diary <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.fhithich.uk/?p=25760" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.fhithich.uk/?p=25760">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>
Swona
The island is situated in the Pentland Firth where it creates an obstruction to the strong tides producing tidal races, over-falls and whirlpools. One of these whirlpools is known as the ‘Wells of Swona’, and legend has it is caused by a witch struggling to save herself. To quote directly from Westwood and Kingshill’s book “The Lore of Scotland: A guide to Scottish legends”: "A witch once took a fancy to a dark and handsome young man and wanted him for her lover. When she asked him to go to the beach with her, however, he refused, as his sweetheart was at that moment on her way to join him. Concealing her anger, the witch persuaded the young man and his girl to come out with her in her boat. As they approached Swona, she worked a spell on the boat and it overturned. The young man caught his girl’s hand in an attempt to save her, but at the same moment the witch caught hold of his to drag him under the waves and into her power. The three were so entangled that they could not be pulled apart. The young man and his sweetheart were drowned, but the witch is still struggling to get free, and it is her frantic churning of the waters that causes the Wells of Swona." Adapted from my daily photo diary LinkExternal link
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Keefa Hill is located at Grid Ref: ND3884 (Lat: 58.742825, Lng: -3.0567776)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///laptops.eclipses.manly. Near St Margaret's Hope, Orkney Islands

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Keefa Hill
Place: locality
Source: OS map
Lat/Long: 58.7430212/-3.0571041
Warbister Hill
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 58.7412286/-3.0538264
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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