Scarf Skerry

Island in Orkney

Scotland

Scarf Skerry

Scapa Flow Seen from Olaf summit viewpoint on the A961.
Scapa Flow Credit: Graeme Yuill

Scarf Skerry is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Orkney, Scotland. Situated in the North Sea, it is part of the Orkney Islands archipelago and is known for its rugged and scenic beauty.

Covering an area of approximately 12 hectares, Scarf Skerry is a low-lying island with an elevation of just a few meters above sea level. It is predominantly composed of flat and grassy terrain, with scattered rocks and boulders throughout. The island is surrounded by rocky shores, and during high tide, some of these rocks become submerged, adding to the island's unique charm.

Wildlife thrives on Scarf Skerry, making it an important site for naturalists and birdwatchers. The island is home to a variety of seabird colonies, including guillemots, razorbills, and puffins. These birds nest along the cliffs and rocky ledges, providing a captivating spectacle during the breeding season. Additionally, grey seals can often be spotted lounging on the rocks or swimming nearby.

Due to its remote location and lack of human habitation, Scarf Skerry offers a tranquil and untouched environment. It is a popular destination for day trips and wildlife excursions, attracting nature enthusiasts and photographers. Visitors can explore the island's coastline, observing the diverse birdlife and taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding sea.

Overall, Scarf Skerry is a picturesque and unspoiled island in the Orkney archipelago, providing a haven for wildlife and a serene escape for those seeking a peaceful and natural experience.

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Scarf Skerry Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.765287/-2.9818377 or Grid Reference ND4386. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Scapa Flow Seen from Olaf summit viewpoint on the A961.
Scapa Flow
Seen from Olaf summit viewpoint on the A961.
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.
View west from the Olad summit viewpoint Marred by rain
View west from the Olad summit viewpoint
Marred by rain
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
Road to somewhere
Road to somewhere
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.
Towards Upper Serrigar Extensive views of coastal scenery are available almost everywhere on the Orkney Islands and especially on South Ronaldsay.
Towards Upper Serrigar
Extensive views of coastal scenery are available almost everywhere on the Orkney Islands and especially on South Ronaldsay.
Viewpoint on Olad Hill The headland straight ahead is The Nev. A rain shower is sweeping in from the left.
Viewpoint on Olad Hill
The headland straight ahead is The Nev. A rain shower is sweeping in from the left.
Grassland on Olad Hill Looking towards Ward Hill, with a sharp rain shower just starting. Several of the islands have a Ward Hill, signifying a good place to have a beacon.
Grassland on Olad Hill
Looking towards Ward Hill, with a sharp rain shower just starting. Several of the islands have a Ward Hill, signifying a good place to have a beacon.
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.
Show me another place!

Scarf Skerry is located at Grid Ref: ND4386 (Lat: 58.765287, Lng: -2.9818377)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///paper.observes.jots. Near St Margaret's Hope, Orkney Islands

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.765287,-2.9818377
Green Clivie
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 58.7637317/-2.9793126
Husanter Point
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 58.7614467/-2.9807911
Natural Arch Stackabank
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 58.7653328/-2.979327
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.7637279/-2.9740694
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.7636452/-2.9752725
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.763552/-2.97667
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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