Bay of Whelkmulli

Bay in Orkney

Scotland

Bay of Whelkmulli

The Bay of Whelkmulli is a picturesque bay located on the western coast of the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is situated around 10 kilometers north of the town of Stromness and covers an area of approximately 4 square kilometers. The bay is named after the abundant population of whelks, a type of sea snail, that can be found in its waters.

The Bay of Whelkmulli is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with its crystal clear turquoise waters and pristine white sandy beaches. The bay is flanked by towering cliffs, providing a dramatic backdrop to the serene and tranquil surroundings. It is a popular destination for nature lovers, bird watchers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The bay is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including various species of seabirds, seals, and even occasional sightings of dolphins and porpoises. The surrounding waters are teeming with marine life, making it a haven for snorkeling, diving, and fishing activities.

Access to the Bay of Whelkmulli is primarily by boat or on foot, with several walking trails leading to the bay from nearby villages and towns. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks along the coastline, taking in the breathtaking panoramic views and exploring the rich flora and fauna that thrive in the area.

Overall, the Bay of Whelkmulli is a hidden gem in the Orkney Islands, offering visitors a chance to experience the unspoiled beauty of Scotland's coastline and immerse themselves in nature's wonders.

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Bay of Whelkmulli Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.115082/-3.006462 or Grid Reference HY4225. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Wyre: Cubbie Rooâs Castle

The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, Cubbie Roo's Castle was built around 1145 by a Norwegian named Kolbein Hrúga. It is thought to have consisted of a square tower in the centre of this large mound, with various banks and ditches which are clearly in evidence today. The castle is actually named after an Orkney giant, Cobbie Row or Cubbie Roo, who abounds in folklore hereabouts - for example, some standing and horizontal stones were said to have been thrown by Cubbie Roo. It is easy to see the similarity between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cobbie Row (or Cubbie Roo) - it is thought, but by no means with universal agreement, that the name of the real-life Kolbein Hrúga somehow morphed into that of a folklore giant over the 500 years following Kolbein's lifetime. (Hrúga is Norse for 'heap', so he was probably a big man.) For those interested, the following article is a piece disputing the link between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cubbie Roo, despite the lexical similarity: Link

Chris Downer

Wyre: arriving at Cubbie Rooâs Castle

The visitor to the castle arrives from the southeast and is presented with this information board, although there is another, more modern and more in-depth, board nearby too. It is inscribed with the alternate spelling, Cobbie Row. The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle was built around 1145 by a Norwegian named Kolbein Hrúga. It is thought to have consisted of a square tower in the centre of this large mound, with various banks and ditches which are clearly in evidence today. The castle is actually named after an Orkney giant, Cobbie Row or Cubbie Roo, who abounds in folklore hereabouts - for example, some standing and horizontal stones were said to have been thrown by Cubbie Roo. It is easy to see the similarity between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cobbie Row (or Cubbie Roo) - it is thought, but by no means with universal agreement, that the name of the real-life Kolbein Hrúga somehow morphed into that of a folklore giant over the 500 years following Kolbein's lifetime. (Hrúga is Norse for 'heap', so he was probably a big man.) For those interested, the following article is a piece disputing the link between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cubbie Roo, despite the lexical similarity: Link

Rousay is in the background.

Chris Downer

Wyre: looking into Cubbie Rooâs Castle

The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle was built around 1145 by a Norwegian named Kolbein Hrúga. It is thought to have consisted of a square tower in the centre of this large mound, with various banks and ditches which are clearly in evidence today. The foot of the tower contained a water tank which we see below us. The castle entrance would have been on the first floor, probably accessed by a wooden staircase. The castle is actually named after an Orkney giant, Cobbie Row or Cubbie Roo, who abounds in folklore hereabouts - for example, some standing and horizontal stones were said to have been thrown by Cubbie Roo. It is easy to see the similarity between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cobbie Row (or Cubbie Roo) - it is thought, but by no means with universal agreement, that the name of the real-life Kolbein Hrúga somehow morphed into that of a folklore giant over the 500 years following Kolbein's lifetime. (Hrúga is Norse for 'heap', so he was probably a big man.) For those interested, the following article is a piece disputing the link between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cubbie Roo, despite the lexical similarity: Link

Rousay is in the background.

Chris Downer

Wyre: Cubbie Rooâs Castle and part of its ditch

The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle was built around 1145 by a Norwegian named Kolbein Hrúga. It is thought to have consisted of a square tower in the centre of this large mound, with various banks and ditches which are clearly in evidence today. The castle is actually named after an Orkney giant, Cobbie Row or Cubbie Roo, who abounds in folklore hereabouts - for example, some standing and horizontal stones were said to have been thrown by Cubbie Roo. It is easy to see the similarity between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cobbie Row (or Cubbie Roo) - it is thought, but by no means with universal agreement, that the name of the real-life Kolbein Hrúga somehow morphed into that of a folklore giant over the 500 years following Kolbein's lifetime. (Hrúga is Norse for 'heap', so he was probably a big man.) For those interested, the following article is a piece disputing the link between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cubbie Roo, despite the lexical similarity: Link

In the background, left of the castle we see the island of Egilasy, to the right Eday, and a tip of Rousay just sneaks into the left-hand edge of the picture.

Chris Downer

Wyre: information board at Cubbie Rooâs Castle

The information board in front of us is more detailed than the older one which the visitor first sees (HY4426 : Wyre: arriving at Cubbie Roo’s Castle), and gives a good artist's impression of what the castle may have looked like. Its title gives the alternative spelling, Cobbie Row. The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle was built around 1145 by a Norwegian named Kolbein Hrúga. It is thought to have consisted of a square tower in the centre of this large mound, with various banks and ditches which are clearly in evidence today. The castle is actually named after an Orkney giant, Cobbie Row or Cubbie Roo, who abounds in folklore hereabouts - for example, some standing and horizontal stones were said to have been thrown by Cubbie Roo. It is easy to see the similarity between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cobbie Row (or Cubbie Roo) - it is thought, but by no means with universal agreement, that the name of the real-life Kolbein Hrúga somehow morphed into that of a folklore giant over the 500 years following Kolbein's lifetime. (Hrúga is Norse for 'heap', so he was probably a big man.) For those interested, the following article is a piece disputing the link between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cubbie Roo, despite the lexical similarity: Link

Rousay is in the background.

Chris Downer

Wyre: St. Maryâs chapel

A 12th-century chapel close to HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle, with surrounding burial ground. We are standing in the modern-day burial ground, which is of a similar size to the enclosed churchyard.

Chris Downer

Wyre: stile between St. Maryâs chapel and Cubbie Rooâs Castle

I am not sure whether this quite fits the definition of 'stile' but it is the crossing point of the churchyard wall on the route from HY4426 : Wyre: St. Mary’s chapel to HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle.

Chris Downer

Wyre: St. Maryâs chapel from Cubbie Rooâs Castle

Looking back at HY4426 : Wyre: St. Mary’s chapel from HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle. In the distance, the face of Rothiesholm Head on Stronsay is recognisable - there are plenty of closer islands but the line of sight happens to go between them.

Chris Downer

Rousay: TaversÃ¶e Tuick chambered cairn

One of several visitable chambered cairns along the south coast of Rousay, this one is unusual in being a 'double-decker', so to speak. This was a burial chamber some 5,000 years ago, and the two chambers were accessed separately - the upper one from the visible entrance here and the lower one from the opposite side. Today's visitor can access both chambers from the pictured entrance, as one of the floor slabs has been taken out and a ladder provided. See HY4227 : Rousay: inside Taversöe Tuick chambered cairn and HY4227 : Rousay: the lower chamber at Taversöe Tuick for interior views. The island of Wyre is almost wholly spread out in the background.

Chris Downer

Rousay: inside TaversÃ¶e Tuick chambered cairn

Inside the upper chamber of HY4227 : Rousay: Taversöe Tuick chambered cairn, showing the modern access to the lower chamber - originally it had a separate entrance on the opposite side.

Chris Downer

Rousay: the lower chamber at TaversÃ¶e Tuick

Another interior view of HY4227 : Rousay: Taversöe Tuick chambered cairn after HY4227 : Rousay: inside Taversöe Tuick chambered cairn - this time we are in the lower chamber.

Chris Downer

Houses on Rousay

stalked

Boats in Rousay

stalked

Modern Boundary Marker by the B9064, Rousay Parish

Parish Boundary Marker by the B9064, in parish of Rousay (District), bend in road West of Trumland Home Farm, on verge between road and a dry stone wall, South side of road. Inscription reads:- : FROTOFT : : BRINIAN : Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_ROU03pb

Milestone Society

Entry to Taversoe Tuick

The chambered cairn of Taversoe Tuick on a grey, windy winter day. This hatch gives access to various chambers of different sizes in two levels. A (recent) window on top provides daylight.

Aleks Scholz

View from Blackhammer Cairn

The grassy hillside east of Blackhammer, the neolithic chambered cairn. Cows are grazing on the slopes of Green Hill. Only a few scattered farm buildings are visible from the cairn.

Aleks Scholz

Taversoe Tuick Chambered Cairn

An Orkney-Cromarty Bookan-type cairn. The most unusual characteristic of this cairn is that it includes two chambers, one upon the other. Essentially it is a double-decker chambered cairn. There is only one other known in Orkney. Link

Sandy Gerrard