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Widewall Bay

Bay in Orkney

Scotland

Widewall Bay

Farm near Croo Taing
Farm near Croo Taing Credit: David Dixon

Widewall Bay is a captivating bay located on the northeastern coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. The bay stretches approximately 2.5 kilometers, offering stunning views of the North Sea and the surrounding rugged cliffs. Its strategic location makes it a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

With its unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance, Widewall Bay has something to offer for everyone. The bay is known for its pristine sandy beach, which is perfect for leisurely walks or picnics on sunny days. The crystal-clear waters of the bay also make it an ideal spot for swimming and other water activities during the warmer months.

Aside from its natural charm, Widewall Bay is steeped in history. The remains of a Viking boat burial were discovered here, providing valuable insights into the island's past. The nearby Cairns of Gurness, an Iron Age settlement, further adds to the historical significance of the area. Visitors can explore these archaeological sites and imagine the lives of the ancient inhabitants who once called this place home.

Widewall Bay is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The bay is home to a variety of bird species, including puffins, fulmars, and guillemots, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. Seals can often be spotted basking on the rocks, adding to the charm of the bay.

Overall, Widewall Bay offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and abundant wildlife. Whether one seeks relaxation, adventure, or a glimpse into the past, this bay is a must-visit destination in Orkney.

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Widewall Bay Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.81897/-3.0084455 or Grid Reference ND4192. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Farm near Croo Taing
Farm near Croo Taing
Uppertown, South Ronaldsay
Uppertown, South Ronaldsay
Coastal Buildings and Slipway, South Ronaldsay
Coastal Buildings and Slipway, South Ronaldsay
Hoxa Head Lighthouse and Balfour Battery Hoxa Head overlooks the main entrance into Scapa Flow through Hoxa Sound. Hoxa Battery (<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/133661/south-ronaldsay-hoxa-head-hoxa-battery" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/133661/south-ronaldsay-hoxa-head-hoxa-battery">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 ID 133661) was built in the First World War at the southern tip of the peninsula and equipped with 6-inch gun emplacements and magazines. These defences were strengthened in 1940-1 by the addition of another battery to the north, alongside the lighthouse built in 1901. This is the Balfour Battery, which is now the better preserved of the two. A cast iron, gas-powered lighthouse of 1901 was built to guide ships into Scapa Flow. The superstructure has been removed, leaving a solid concrete plinth, which formed the base. A modern lighthouse, with solar panels, has been built nearby (<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/74483/south-ronaldsay-hoxa-head-lighthouse" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/74483/south-ronaldsay-hoxa-head-lighthouse">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 ID 74483).
Hoxa Head Lighthouse and Balfour Battery
Hoxa Head overlooks the main entrance into Scapa Flow through Hoxa Sound. Hoxa Battery (LinkExternal link Canmore ID 133661) was built in the First World War at the southern tip of the peninsula and equipped with 6-inch gun emplacements and magazines. These defences were strengthened in 1940-1 by the addition of another battery to the north, alongside the lighthouse built in 1901. This is the Balfour Battery, which is now the better preserved of the two. A cast iron, gas-powered lighthouse of 1901 was built to guide ships into Scapa Flow. The superstructure has been removed, leaving a solid concrete plinth, which formed the base. A modern lighthouse, with solar panels, has been built nearby (LinkExternal link Canmore ID 74483).
Hoxa Head Lighthouse A cast iron, gas-powered lighthouse was built in 1901 to guide ships into Scapa Flow. The superstructure has since been removed, leaving just the solid concrete plinth which formed the base. It has been replaced with a modern lighthouse, with solar panels, built nearby (<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/74483/south-ronaldsay-hoxa-head-lighthouse" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/74483/south-ronaldsay-hoxa-head-lighthouse">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 ID 74483).
Hoxa Head Lighthouse
A cast iron, gas-powered lighthouse was built in 1901 to guide ships into Scapa Flow. The superstructure has since been removed, leaving just the solid concrete plinth which formed the base. It has been replaced with a modern lighthouse, with solar panels, built nearby (LinkExternal link Canmore ID 74483).
South Ronaldsay, Hoxa Head Hoxa Head overlooks the main entrance into Scapa Flow through Hoxa Sound. Hoxa Battery was built in the First World War at the southern tip of the peninsula and equipped with 6-inch gun emplacements and magazines. In the Second World War, it was rebuilt with two 6-inch gun emplacements and magazines, an observation post, an engine room and footings for searchlights (<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/133661/south-ronaldsay-hoxa-head-hoxa-battery" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/133661/south-ronaldsay-hoxa-head-hoxa-battery">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 ID 133661)
South Ronaldsay, Hoxa Head
Hoxa Head overlooks the main entrance into Scapa Flow through Hoxa Sound. Hoxa Battery was built in the First World War at the southern tip of the peninsula and equipped with 6-inch gun emplacements and magazines. In the Second World War, it was rebuilt with two 6-inch gun emplacements and magazines, an observation post, an engine room and footings for searchlights (LinkExternal link Canmore ID 133661)
Balfour Coastal Battery
Balfour Coastal Battery
Coastline near Hoxa Head, South Ronaldsay
Coastline near Hoxa Head, South Ronaldsay
Headland at Croo Taing, South Ronaldsay
Headland at Croo Taing, South Ronaldsay
Howe Taing, South Ronaldsay
Howe Taing, South Ronaldsay
Hoxa Head: Coastal battery The interior of a searchlight emplacement at Hoxa Head, overlooking Hoxa Sound. A gun battery defended the Hoxa Sound passage into the Scapa Flow, the base of the Grand (Home) fleet, during during both world wars. I'm not at all sure what purpose the metal "artificial leg" served. Perhaps someone knows?
Hoxa Head: Coastal battery
The interior of a searchlight emplacement at Hoxa Head, overlooking Hoxa Sound. A gun battery defended the Hoxa Sound passage into the Scapa Flow, the base of the Grand (Home) fleet, during during both world wars. I'm not at all sure what purpose the metal "artificial leg" served. Perhaps someone knows?
Hoxa Head: Scapa Flow defences During both world wars Scapa Flow was safe anchorage for the Royal Navy's Home Fleet. The main entrances to the flow were heavily defended by booms and metal nets, mine fields and coastal gun batteries. This is part of the complex battery at Hoxa Head. The hillside is covered with concrete; two director towers, with their 6 inch gun houses, magazines and shelters; a fighting searchlight and three dispersed beam lights; several engine houses and lots of hut bases. The battery was designed to cover the Hoxa boom, anchored just north of the battery, with close range and rapid fire against the threat of MTBs.
Hoxa Head: Scapa Flow defences
During both world wars Scapa Flow was safe anchorage for the Royal Navy's Home Fleet. The main entrances to the flow were heavily defended by booms and metal nets, mine fields and coastal gun batteries. This is part of the complex battery at Hoxa Head. The hillside is covered with concrete; two director towers, with their 6 inch gun houses, magazines and shelters; a fighting searchlight and three dispersed beam lights; several engine houses and lots of hut bases. The battery was designed to cover the Hoxa boom, anchored just north of the battery, with close range and rapid fire against the threat of MTBs.
Sand of Wright
Sand of Wright
Pentalina, heading towards Scrabster, from Hoxa The catamaran Pentalina has left St Margaret's Hope and is heading towards Scrabster. This shows her travelling between Flotta and Hoxa, taken from Hoxa near the Gun Batteries.
Pentalina, heading towards Scrabster, from Hoxa
The catamaran Pentalina has left St Margaret's Hope and is heading towards Scrabster. This shows her travelling between Flotta and Hoxa, taken from Hoxa near the Gun Batteries.
WW2 Gun Batteries on Hoxa Head Long abandoned, these are open for anyone to wander around in.
WW2 Gun Batteries on Hoxa Head
Long abandoned, these are open for anyone to wander around in.
The Sand of Wright
The Sand of Wright
Towards the Dam of Hoxa
Towards the Dam of Hoxa
Sand of Wright Across the wet sands and along towards Hoxa Head
Sand of Wright
Across the wet sands and along towards Hoxa Head
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Widewall Bay is located at Grid Ref: ND4192 (Lat: 58.81897, Lng: -3.0084455)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///apparatus.paid.singing. Near St Margaret's Hope, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Stony Bight Widewall Bay Vamh Niggle Point Croo Skerry Herston Taing

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.81897,-3.0084455
Widewall Bay
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 58.8182082/-3.0119276
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Bay of Noup Orkney
Hooro Nev Orkney

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