The Clett

Island in Orkney

Scotland

The Clett

Eastward House, A961 near Barswick, South Ronaldsay Built in 1873 by local residents for the Church of Scotland, it is now (2014) a home offering B & B.
Eastward House, A961 near Barswick, South Ronaldsay Credit: Jo and Steve Turner

The Clett is a small island located in the Orkney archipelago, situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is positioned in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 8 miles northeast of the Orkney Mainland. The island spans an area of around 0.32 hectares and is uninhabited.

The Clett is primarily known for its unique rock formations and diverse birdlife. Its rugged coastline is characterized by towering sea stacks and dramatic cliffs, which provide nesting sites for numerous seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. These birds flock to the island during the breeding season, creating a vibrant and bustling colony.

Access to The Clett is limited due to its remote location and challenging terrain. The island lacks any permanent structures or facilities, and visitors must rely on private boats or organized trips to reach its shores. Despite its small size, The Clett offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding sea and neighboring islands, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

The island's isolation and untouched nature contribute to its appeal, allowing visitors to experience a sense of tranquility and connection with the natural world. The Clett serves as a testament to the rugged beauty of the Orkney Islands and the rich biodiversity that thrives in this remote corner of Scotland.

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The Clett Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.760295/-2.9898215 or Grid Reference ND4286. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Eastward House, A961 near Barswick, South Ronaldsay Built in 1873 by local residents for the Church of Scotland, it is now (2014) a home offering B & B.
Eastward House, A961 near Barswick, South Ronaldsay
Built in 1873 by local residents for the Church of Scotland, it is now (2014) a home offering B & B.
Farmland, Mossetter
Farmland, Mossetter
Loch of Lythe  Small loch near Ossquoy, the farm on the right
Loch of Lythe
Small loch near Ossquoy, the farm on the right
Tomison's Academy Founded under the will of William Tomison (1739-1829) of the Hudson's Bay Company. 
This former school is now empty and the adjacent buildings falling into dereliction
Tomison's Academy
Founded under the will of William Tomison (1739-1829) of the Hudson's Bay Company. This former school is now empty and the adjacent buildings falling into dereliction
Aerial view of southern South Ronaldsay Taken from a flight to Shetland via Orkney this is the southern end of the southernmost of the main islands of Orkney, South Ronaldsay.
Obviously aerial photos such as this cover many squares, so I have taken the subject reference as Barth Head, which is the little sticky-out point nearest the camera.
Aerial view of southern South Ronaldsay
Taken from a flight to Shetland via Orkney this is the southern end of the southernmost of the main islands of Orkney, South Ronaldsay. Obviously aerial photos such as this cover many squares, so I have taken the subject reference as Barth Head, which is the little sticky-out point nearest the camera.
The deserted croft of Greenvale Deserted and derelict.
The deserted croft of Greenvale
Deserted and derelict.
Inside Greenvale Looking into one of the rooms. A very similar atmosphere as in those on Swona, which Greenvale overlooks.
Inside Greenvale
Looking into one of the rooms. A very similar atmosphere as in those on Swona, which Greenvale overlooks.
Greenvale Possibly the original dwelling. Swona on the horizon in the background.
Greenvale
Possibly the original dwelling. Swona on the horizon in the background.
The Haven, Barswick On Sundays, the inhabitants of Swona used to cross to South Ronaldsay in an open boat and would land here. This building is where they would then change into "Sunday Best" before walking across the fields to the kirk (ND441856). After the service, the process was reversed. What people!
The Haven, Barswick
On Sundays, the inhabitants of Swona used to cross to South Ronaldsay in an open boat and would land here. This building is where they would then change into "Sunday Best" before walking across the fields to the kirk (ND441856). After the service, the process was reversed. What people!
Dunda House
Dunda House
Osquoy Farm on South Ronaldsay.
Osquoy
Farm on South Ronaldsay.
Old school, Cleat A former school building on South Ronaldsay.
Old school, Cleat
A former school building on South Ronaldsay.
Hay field, Lythe The deep muddy ruts illustrate what an appalling Summer it was in 2015.  Orkney had a particularly hard time and hay and straw had to be bought in for the Winter.
Hay field, Lythe
The deep muddy ruts illustrate what an appalling Summer it was in 2015. Orkney had a particularly hard time and hay and straw had to be bought in for the Winter.
Greenquoy
Greenquoy
A961 passing Lythe A fast and empty road, ideal for a calm evening.  Unfortunately it is extremely rare in Orkney for milages to be displayed and I had no idea how far it was to St Margaret's Hope.
A961 passing Lythe
A fast and empty road, ideal for a calm evening. Unfortunately it is extremely rare in Orkney for milages to be displayed and I had no idea how far it was to St Margaret's Hope.
Field, Greenquoy View towards the east coast of South Ronaldsay
Field, Greenquoy
View towards the east coast of South Ronaldsay
Track to Beedies This has been a smithy and more recently operates as a Garden Furniture shop.
Track to Beedies
This has been a smithy and more recently operates as a Garden Furniture shop.
Dundas House Dundas House was the home of William Tomison (1739-1829) who made a fortune with the Hudson's Bay Company, and endowed 
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5812424">ND4485 : Tomison's Academy</a> nearby.
Dundas House
Dundas House was the home of William Tomison (1739-1829) who made a fortune with the Hudson's Bay Company, and endowed ND4485 : Tomison's Academy nearby.
Show me another place!

The Clett is located at Grid Ref: ND4286 (Lat: 58.760295, Lng: -2.9898215)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///spearhead.distilled.crisp. Near St Margaret's Hope, Orkney Islands

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