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Orphir Bay

Bay in Orkney

Scotland

Orphir Bay

Pier at Houton Ferry Terminal Used by the Ferry to Hoy and Flotta.
Pier at Houton Ferry Terminal Credit: Graeme Yuill

Orphir Bay is a picturesque bay located on the south coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. It is situated in the parish of Orphir, near the village of Stenness. The bay is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with its calm waters and sweeping views of the surrounding landscapes.

The bay is flanked by rolling green hills, providing a tranquil and idyllic setting for visitors. The beach at Orphir Bay is a mix of sand and pebbles, perfect for leisurely walks or relaxing picnics. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching, as the bay attracts a variety of seabirds and waders.

One of the main attractions of Orphir Bay is the remains of the Orphir Round Church, known as the Orkneyinga Saga Centre. This 12th-century church is a significant historical site, once part of a larger complex that served as the religious center for Orkney's Norse rulers. The ruins are now open to the public, offering insight into the island's rich Viking heritage.

Visitors to Orphir Bay can also explore the nearby Neolithic sites, such as the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. These ancient stone circles are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

Overall, Orphir Bay is a captivating destination that combines natural beauty with historical significance. Whether it's enjoying the serene beach, marveling at the ancient ruins, or immersing oneself in Orkney's fascinating history, visitors to Orphir Bay are sure to be captivated by its charm.

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Orphir Bay Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.919388/-3.1565178 or Grid Reference HY3304. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Pier at Houton Ferry Terminal Used by the Ferry to Hoy and Flotta.
Pier at Houton Ferry Terminal
Used by the Ferry to Hoy and Flotta.
Junction on A964 near Orphir, Orkney
Junction on A964 near Orphir, Orkney
A964 at Orphir, Orkney
A964 at Orphir, Orkney
Grassy fields at Houton
Grassy fields at Houton
Unloading the ferry at Houton
Unloading the ferry at Houton
Car parks for the ferry
Car parks for the ferry
Holm of Houton Seen from the Hoy Ferry.
Holm of Houton
Seen from the Hoy Ferry.
Rough pasture with farmland beyond
Rough pasture with farmland beyond
Scapa Flow Lodges Self-catering accommodation overlooking Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow Lodges
Self-catering accommodation overlooking Scapa Flow
Ruined buildings near Crya
Ruined buildings near Crya
Moorland footpath Goes to Hill of Midland. The mountains of Hoy in the distance
Moorland footpath
Goes to Hill of Midland. The mountains of Hoy in the distance
Orphir - Earl's Bu - Foundations of Drinking Hall It is thought that these earthworks and stones are the foundations of an ancient 'Drinking Hall' known as Earl's Bu. If this is correct, then in 1136 they witnessed the murder of Svenn Brestrope. During Earl Paul's Yule feasts at his Bu there was an exchange of insults between Sweyn Asleifsson and Sweyn Breastrope (Svenn Brestrope), a colleague of Asleifsson's father. This culminated in the hot-headed young Asleifsson killing Brestrope. The murderer fled to Egilsay and from thence was dispatched to Tiree by Bishop William the Old. He was given refuge there by a chieftain by the name of Holbodi. Somewhat later young Asleifsson returned to Orkney and managed to kidnap Earl Paul on the island of Rousay, "spiriting him away and leaving the Earldom open for Rognvald II to step in and assume control." According to other references in the Orkneyinga Saga, Earl Haraldr died at Orphir in 1127 and the Bu (or hall) subsequently belonged to Earl Paul II (1136-7) and Earl Rognvaldr II (1154) who commissioned <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7549699">HY4410 : Kirkwall - St Magnus Cathedral from the Bishop's Palace</a>. Earl Haraldr Maddadson was said to be in hiding at the Bu of Orphir in 1154. (Information from nearby HES plaque and from an adapted translation of the Orkneyinga Saga online). See Canmore website: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1970/orphir-earls-bu" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1970/orphir-earls-bu">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> HES Website: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/earls-bu-and-church-orphir" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/earls-bu-and-church-orphir">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> See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560896">HY3304 : Orphir - Earl's Bu - Stones and recesses</a> This site is adjacent to <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560899">HY3304 : Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk (remains)</a>
Orphir - Earl's Bu - Foundations of Drinking Hall
It is thought that these earthworks and stones are the foundations of an ancient 'Drinking Hall' known as Earl's Bu. If this is correct, then in 1136 they witnessed the murder of Svenn Brestrope. During Earl Paul's Yule feasts at his Bu there was an exchange of insults between Sweyn Asleifsson and Sweyn Breastrope (Svenn Brestrope), a colleague of Asleifsson's father. This culminated in the hot-headed young Asleifsson killing Brestrope. The murderer fled to Egilsay and from thence was dispatched to Tiree by Bishop William the Old. He was given refuge there by a chieftain by the name of Holbodi. Somewhat later young Asleifsson returned to Orkney and managed to kidnap Earl Paul on the island of Rousay, "spiriting him away and leaving the Earldom open for Rognvald II to step in and assume control." According to other references in the Orkneyinga Saga, Earl Haraldr died at Orphir in 1127 and the Bu (or hall) subsequently belonged to Earl Paul II (1136-7) and Earl Rognvaldr II (1154) who commissioned HY4410 : Kirkwall - St Magnus Cathedral from the Bishop's Palace. Earl Haraldr Maddadson was said to be in hiding at the Bu of Orphir in 1154. (Information from nearby HES plaque and from an adapted translation of the Orkneyinga Saga online). See Canmore website: LinkExternal link HES Website: LinkExternal link See also HY3304 : Orphir - Earl's Bu - Stones and recesses This site is adjacent to HY3304 : Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk (remains)
Orphir - Earl's Bu - Stones and recesses Part of the foundations of the C12th Earl's Bu at Orphir on Mainland, Orkney. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560879">HY3304 : Orphir - Earl's Bu - Foundations of Drinking Hall</a> for more information on the history of this former Drinking Hall. This site is adjacent to <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560899">HY3304 : Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk (remains)</a> See Canmore website for information on the site: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1970/orphir-earls-bu" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1970/orphir-earls-bu">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> HES Website: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/earls-bu-and-church-orphir" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/earls-bu-and-church-orphir">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>
Orphir - Earl's Bu - Stones and recesses
Part of the foundations of the C12th Earl's Bu at Orphir on Mainland, Orkney. See HY3304 : Orphir - Earl's Bu - Foundations of Drinking Hall for more information on the history of this former Drinking Hall. This site is adjacent to HY3304 : Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk (remains) See Canmore website for information on the site: LinkExternal link HES Website: LinkExternal link
Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk (remains) The apsidal eastern remains of the former round kirk of St Nicholas at Orphir. The ring of gravel marks its original footprint. From the Canmore website: "The remains of a Romanesque Church, dedicated to St Nicholas, which has been circular on plan with an E apse, stands at the E end of the now demolished parish church. It is unique in Scotland as having been built after the model of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, through Scandinavian prototypes, and it can be dated between AD 1090 and 1160. A reference under the year 1136 in the 'Orkneyinga Saga', mentions this church, although Wainwright argues that the writer may have been describing the church as he knew it about a century later. Wainwright would also place the erection of the church after 1100 on comparison with three, very similar, churches at Praha (Prague)." See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560901">HY3304 : Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk apse from northeast</a> The church is adjacent to <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560879">HY3304 : Orphir - Earl's Bu - Foundations of Drinking Hall</a> HES Website: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/earls-bu-and-church-orphir" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/earls-bu-and-church-orphir">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> Canmore website: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1962/orphir-st-nicholass-church" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1962/orphir-st-nicholass-church">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>
Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk (remains)
The apsidal eastern remains of the former round kirk of St Nicholas at Orphir. The ring of gravel marks its original footprint. From the Canmore website: "The remains of a Romanesque Church, dedicated to St Nicholas, which has been circular on plan with an E apse, stands at the E end of the now demolished parish church. It is unique in Scotland as having been built after the model of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, through Scandinavian prototypes, and it can be dated between AD 1090 and 1160. A reference under the year 1136 in the 'Orkneyinga Saga', mentions this church, although Wainwright argues that the writer may have been describing the church as he knew it about a century later. Wainwright would also place the erection of the church after 1100 on comparison with three, very similar, churches at Praha (Prague)." See also HY3304 : Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk apse from northeast The church is adjacent to HY3304 : Orphir - Earl's Bu - Foundations of Drinking Hall HES Website: LinkExternal link Canmore website: LinkExternal link
Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk apse from northeast From this angle the remains of the apse of the former circular kirk at Orphir looks more like a dovecote or perhaps the base of a windmill. To see how it attached to the original church, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560899">HY3304 : Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk (remains)</a> See also HES website: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/earls-bu-and-church-orphir" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/earls-bu-and-church-orphir">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> Canmore website: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1962/orphir-st-nicholass-church" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1962/orphir-st-nicholass-church">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> These remains are adjacent to <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560879">HY3304 : Orphir - Earl's Bu - Foundations of Drinking Hall</a>
Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk apse from northeast
From this angle the remains of the apse of the former circular kirk at Orphir looks more like a dovecote or perhaps the base of a windmill. To see how it attached to the original church, see HY3304 : Orphir - St Nicholas Round Kirk (remains) See also HES website: LinkExternal link Canmore website: LinkExternal link These remains are adjacent to HY3304 : Orphir - Earl's Bu - Foundations of Drinking Hall
Postbox New Romec postbox [KW17 13] above the ferry terminal at Houton
Postbox
New Romec postbox [KW17 13] above the ferry terminal at Houton
Gyre Woods Orphir Inside Gyre woodland. Passive management, mixed deciduous woodland with a fairly healthy streamway.
Gyre Woods Orphir
Inside Gyre woodland. Passive management, mixed deciduous woodland with a fairly healthy streamway.
The road beside Gyre Wood The road to the Breck. Rare in Orkney to have overhanging trees, but the Trows need these to get across roadways.
The road beside Gyre Wood
The road to the Breck. Rare in Orkney to have overhanging trees, but the Trows need these to get across roadways.
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Orphir Bay is located at Grid Ref: HY3304 (Lat: 58.919388, Lng: -3.1565178)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///flagging.term.pleaser. Near Orphir, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Orphir Bay Earl's Bu

Related Wikis

Orphir Round Church
Orphir Round Church

The remains of the Orphir Round Church (or Round Kirk), also St Nicholas's Church, are located in Orphir Parish on the Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It has...

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Orphir (pronounced , Old Norse: Jorfjara/Orfjara) is a parish and settlement on Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It is approximately 9 miles (14 kilometres...

Houton
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Houton is a settlement 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast of Stromness on the island of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. The settlement is within the parish of Orphir...

Holm of Houton
Holm of Houton

The Holm of Houton is one of the southern Orkney islands. == Geography == The Holm is in Midland Harbour, part of Scapa Flow. It is south of the Mainland...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.919388,-3.1565178
Orphir Bay
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 58.9187836/-3.1569386
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Earl's Bu - Horizontal Mill (Norse), Settlement (Norse)
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 58.9218873/-3.1573897
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Site of tumulus (Lavacroon)
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 58.9222187/-3.1615352
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.9230705/-3.1555733
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.9231401/-3.1544741
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.9233529/-3.1534112
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: kissing_gate
Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 58.919499/-3.151505
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: kerb
Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 58.9212538/-3.1559878
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Orkney Walks - Orphir Bay
Hiking: yes
Information: map
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 58.922449/-3.1571478
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
St Magnus Way Orphir To Kirkwall
Information: map
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 58.9223888/-3.157223
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bench
Source: survey;gps
Lat/Long: 58.92234/-3.1572561
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Norse Water Mill
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 58.9224321/-3.1567495
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Norse Water Mill at the Earl's Bu
Board Type: history
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 58.9225006/-3.1568836
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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