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Gairsay

Island in Orkney

Scotland

Gairsay

Seal Skerry A small lighthouse on the Seal Skerry - but no seals!
Seal Skerry Credit: Graeme Smith

Gairsay is a small island located in the Orkney archipelago, off the northeastern coast of Scotland. With an area of approximately 3 square kilometers, it is one of the smaller inhabited islands in the region. Gairsay is situated about 10 kilometers west of the larger island of Rousay, and is separated from it by the Eynhallow Sound.

The island's landscape is composed of rolling hills, with the highest point reaching an elevation of about 91 meters. Gairsay is characterized by its picturesque coastline, featuring rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. The island is also home to a variety of wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and otters.

Gairsay has a rich history dating back to the Neolithic period, as evidenced by the presence of ancient burial sites and standing stones. It was once home to a Norse settlement, and later became a stronghold of the powerful Sinclair family in the 12th century. The island is known for its historic Gairsay Castle, which was built in the 15th century and served as the Sinclair family's residence.

Today, Gairsay has a small population, with only a handful of residents. It is primarily used for agriculture, with sheep farming being the main economic activity. The island is accessible by boat, and there are no regular ferry services. Despite its small size, Gairsay offers visitors a peaceful and idyllic setting, where they can enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of this remote Orkney island.

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Gairsay Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.081055/-2.9696979 or Grid Reference HY4421. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Seal Skerry A small lighthouse on the Seal Skerry - but no seals!
Seal Skerry
A small lighthouse on the Seal Skerry - but no seals!
Holm of Rendall The eastern edge of the Holm of Rendall
Holm of Rendall
The eastern edge of the Holm of Rendall
View of Gairsay, from the ferry terminal at Tingwall
View of Gairsay, from the ferry terminal at Tingwall
Holm of Boray As seen from the ferry to the Northern Isles. West Mainland stands behind.
Holm of Boray
As seen from the ferry to the Northern Isles. West Mainland stands behind.
Closer view of the Holm of Boray The southern end of the island showing the colony of cormorants.
Closer view of the Holm of Boray
The southern end of the island showing the colony of cormorants.
Hen of Gairsay As seen from the ferry to Westray, with Rousay standing behind.
Hen of Gairsay
As seen from the ferry to Westray, with Rousay standing behind.
North Head, Gairsay North Head, Gairsay with a view towards Sweyn Holm.
North Head, Gairsay
North Head, Gairsay with a view towards Sweyn Holm.
Ward of Gairsay Bagged this island on an Alan Holmes boat trip as a group of twelve via Harvey's boat the Charles Ann from Tingwall. Name: Ward of Gairsay Hill number: 4930 Height: 102m / 335ft Parent (Ma/M): none Area: 23: Orkney Islands Class: Hu,1 Grid ref: HY441223 (est) Drop: 102m Col: Sea
Ward of Gairsay
Bagged this island on an Alan Holmes boat trip as a group of twelve via Harvey's boat the Charles Ann from Tingwall. Name: Ward of Gairsay Hill number: 4930 Height: 102m / 335ft Parent (Ma/M): none Area: 23: Orkney Islands Class: Hu,1 Grid ref: HY441223 (est) Drop: 102m Col: Sea
View Towards Ward of Gairsay A taste of the moorland on the island of Gairsay as I head towards its summit.
View Towards Ward of Gairsay
A taste of the moorland on the island of Gairsay as I head towards its summit.
Jetty At Gairsay Gairsay (Old Norse: Gáreksey) is a small island in Orkney, Scotland, located in the parish of Rendall, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) off the coast, astride one of the approaches to the bays of Firth and Kirkwall. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide and includes one conical hill and a small harbour called Millburn Bay, which is sheltered by the peninsula known as the Hen of Gairsay.
Jetty At Gairsay
Gairsay (Old Norse: Gáreksey) is a small island in Orkney, Scotland, located in the parish of Rendall, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) off the coast, astride one of the approaches to the bays of Firth and Kirkwall. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide and includes one conical hill and a small harbour called Millburn Bay, which is sheltered by the peninsula known as the Hen of Gairsay.
Sweyn Holm Landing here, alone on a calm day, is a treat few would experience. Looking North-west into the Sound of Eynhallow - Rousay on the right.
Sweyn Holm
Landing here, alone on a calm day, is a treat few would experience. Looking North-west into the Sound of Eynhallow - Rousay on the right.
Gravel Beach A view along the gravel beach on Gairsay towards Sweyn Holm.
Gravel Beach
A view along the gravel beach on Gairsay towards Sweyn Holm.
Hen of Gairsay A view along the northern edge of the Hen of Gairsay with its gravel beach.
Hen of Gairsay
A view along the northern edge of the Hen of Gairsay with its gravel beach.
Jetty At Millburn Bay, Gairsay
Jetty At Millburn Bay, Gairsay
Gairsay, from the ferry No doubt a supplemental, as it's pretty sub-fusk. It does, however, show pretty much all that's interesting in Gairsay, i.e. the cairn on the hill.
Gairsay, from the ferry
No doubt a supplemental, as it's pretty sub-fusk. It does, however, show pretty much all that's interesting in Gairsay, i.e. the cairn on the hill.
Millburn Bay, Gairsay Looking over Wide Firth to Shapinsay and Bay of Kirkwall
Millburn Bay, Gairsay
Looking over Wide Firth to Shapinsay and Bay of Kirkwall
Eynhallow Sound from Gairsay Mainland to left, Wyre and Rousay to right.
Eynhallow Sound from Gairsay
Mainland to left, Wyre and Rousay to right.
Millburn Bay from Hen of Gairsay
Millburn Bay from Hen of Gairsay
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Gairsay is located at Grid Ref: HY4421 (Lat: 59.081055, Lng: -2.9696979)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///free.brownish.dress. Near Rendall, Orkney Islands

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Ness of Boray Maes Taing Gairsay

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