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Castle o' Burrian

Island in Orkney

Scotland

Castle o' Burrian

Craw Nev Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Craw Nev Credit: Anne Burgess

Castle o' Burrian is a historic site located on the small island of Westray in the Orkney archipelago, off the northeastern coast of Scotland. This ancient castle, perched atop a cliff, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding North Sea. The castle's name, "Burrian," is derived from the Old Norse word for "puffin," a reference to the abundant seabird population that nests on the nearby cliffs.

Built in the 14th century, Castle o' Burrian served as a stronghold for the local rulers and provided a strategic vantage point to monitor and defend the surrounding waters. The castle is characterized by its distinctive circular shape, which is rare among Scottish castles.

Although only ruins remain today, Castle o' Burrian still holds an air of mystery and intrigue. Visitors can explore the remains of the castle walls, which reveal traces of its former grandeur, including a central courtyard and evidence of a drawbridge. The castle's strategic position on the cliff edge adds to its allure and offers visitors a glimpse into its historical significance.

In addition to its historical value, Castle o' Burrian is also renowned for its wildlife. The surrounding cliffs are home to a large colony of puffins, along with other seabirds such as guillemots and razorbills. Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts flock to the area to witness the spectacle of these colorful birds nesting and soaring above the crashing waves.

Castle o' Burrian stands as a testament to the rich history and natural beauty of the Orkney Islands, attracting visitors from far and wide who seek a glimpse into Scotland's past and the wonders of its coastal landscapes.

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Castle o' Burrian Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.26995/-2.8715368 or Grid Reference HY5042. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Craw Nev Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Craw Nev
Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Boardwalk For the convenience of those walking to and from the cliff path, a boardwalk has been provided to get across a rough or wet patch.
Boardwalk
For the convenience of those walking to and from the cliff path, a boardwalk has been provided to get across a rough or wet patch.
Pink Campion Red Campion and White Campion, both of which occur here, are known to hybridise. This pale-flowered plant is probably such a hybrid.
Pink Campion
Red Campion and White Campion, both of which occur here, are known to hybridise. This pale-flowered plant is probably such a hybrid.
Puffin (Fratercula arctica) Although we were assured by several people that there were hundreds of Puffins at the Castle of Burrian, we saw only a few, of which this one posed obligingly for several minutes for us.
Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Although we were assured by several people that there were hundreds of Puffins at the Castle of Burrian, we saw only a few, of which this one posed obligingly for several minutes for us.
Cove at Saaclay The old six-inch map suggests that Saaclay is the name of the promontory from which this view was taken, but none of the maps names the cove itself.
Cove at Saaclay
The old six-inch map suggests that Saaclay is the name of the promontory from which this view was taken, but none of the maps names the cove itself.
Castle o' Burrian The name seems to be applied to the sea stack rather than just to the prehistoric site on its summit. It is supposed to be one of the best places to see Puffins, but we saw even fewer here than we had seen at the Brough of Birsay or the Brough of Bigging the previous day.
Castle o' Burrian
The name seems to be applied to the sea stack rather than just to the prehistoric site on its summit. It is supposed to be one of the best places to see Puffins, but we saw even fewer here than we had seen at the Brough of Birsay or the Brough of Bigging the previous day.
Castle o' Burrian From here you can clearly see that this is a rock stack, cut off from the land at high tide.
Castle o' Burrian
From here you can clearly see that this is a rock stack, cut off from the land at high tide.
Bare Rowa Bare Rowa seems to be the name of the bay or cove enclosed by the headland here.
Bare Rowa
Bare Rowa seems to be the name of the bay or cove enclosed by the headland here.
White Campion (Silene latifolia) The cliffs were thick with both White Campion and Red Campion, and a range of hybrids of all shades of pink.
White Campion (Silene latifolia)
The cliffs were thick with both White Campion and Red Campion, and a range of hybrids of all shades of pink.
Bight of Stangerhead The bay and the cliffs on the right are in this square, but Stanger Head itself is in the next square.
Bight of Stangerhead
The bay and the cliffs on the right are in this square, but Stanger Head itself is in the next square.
Red Campion (Silene dioica) One of the numerous fine large clumps of Red Campion along the cliffs.
Red Campion (Silene dioica)
One of the numerous fine large clumps of Red Campion along the cliffs.
Sea Campion (Silene uniflora) This campion is fairly common alongside the clifftop path.
Sea Campion (Silene uniflora)
This campion is fairly common alongside the clifftop path.
Thrift (Armeria maritima) A particularly fine clump of Thrift or Sea Pink.
Thrift (Armeria maritima)
A particularly fine clump of Thrift or Sea Pink.
Rack Wick A bay which penetrates towards the central spine of Westray.
Rack Wick
A bay which penetrates towards the central spine of Westray.
Rapness Mill, Westray Two storey grain mill with repairs in modern materials that was placed on the at risk register in 1990. Canmore date it to the 18th century but a walking guide apparently by Orkney Island Council claims it to be built about 1850. Immediately prior to 1933 the Harcus family are said to work the mill. The 1843-1882 OS map shows the mill but I can't find an earlier detailed map.
Rapness Mill, Westray
Two storey grain mill with repairs in modern materials that was placed on the at risk register in 1990. Canmore date it to the 18th century but a walking guide apparently by Orkney Island Council claims it to be built about 1850. Immediately prior to 1933 the Harcus family are said to work the mill. The 1843-1882 OS map shows the mill but I can't find an earlier detailed map.
Stanger Head Looking out to the mouth of a narrow inlet, with an intrepid geographer on the tip of Stanger Head taking pictures in the opposite direction.
Stanger Head
Looking out to the mouth of a narrow inlet, with an intrepid geographer on the tip of Stanger Head taking pictures in the opposite direction.
Clifftop obstacles Disposing of rubbish used to be 'over the cliff edge' on some islands, but some of this looks quite recent.
Clifftop obstacles
Disposing of rubbish used to be 'over the cliff edge' on some islands, but some of this looks quite recent.
Croft house near Sangar A network of minor roads links the croft houses on the Rapness peninsula of Westray.
Croft house near Sangar
A network of minor roads links the croft houses on the Rapness peninsula of Westray.
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Castle o' Burrian is located at Grid Ref: HY5042 (Lat: 59.26995, Lng: -2.8715368)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///cracks.tasks.eyelash. Near Pierowall, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Rack Wick Point o' Burrian Castle o' Burrian Vassancro Bare Rowa Craw Nev

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.26995,-2.8715368
Rack Wick
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 59.2682712/-2.8782678
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Shapinsay Orkney
Holm of Papa Orkney

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