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Bay of Bergeben

Bay in Orkney

Scotland

Bay of Bergeben

Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s 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: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm">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>
Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle Credit: Chris Downer

The Bay of Bergeben is a picturesque and secluded bay located on the southern coastline of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. It stretches for approximately 1.5 kilometers and is nestled between rugged cliffs and rolling green hills. The bay is characterized by its pristine sandy beach, which is often described as one of the most beautiful in the area.

The bay is renowned for its natural beauty and tranquility, attracting visitors who seek a peaceful and unspoiled coastal experience. The crystal-clear waters of the bay are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities, while the sandy beach provides a perfect spot for sunbathing and picnicking.

Surrounding the bay, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Orkney countryside, with its dramatic cliffs and lush vegetation. The area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and occasionally dolphins or whales, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

Access to the Bay of Bergeben is fairly limited, with only a narrow road leading to the bay from the nearby village of Bergeben. However, this adds to its charm, as it remains relatively untouched by mass tourism. There are no facilities or amenities at the bay, so visitors are advised to bring their own supplies.

Overall, the Bay of Bergeben offers a serene and idyllic setting, where visitors can relax and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Orkney Islands.

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Bay of Bergeben Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.112507/-3.0015142 or Grid Reference HY4225. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s 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: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm">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>
Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s 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: LinkExternal link
Wyre: arriving at Cubbie Roo’s 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, <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714482">HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle</a> 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: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm">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> Rousay is in the background.
Wyre: arriving at Cubbie Roo’s 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: LinkExternal link Rousay is in the background.
Wyre: looking into Cubbie Roo’s Castle The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714482">HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle</a> 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: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm">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> Rousay is in the background.
Wyre: looking into Cubbie Roo’s 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: LinkExternal link Rousay is in the background.
Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle and part of its ditch The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714482">HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle</a> 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: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm">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> 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.
Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s 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: LinkExternal 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.
Wyre: information board at Cubbie Roo’s Castle The information board in front of us is more detailed than the older one which the visitor first sees (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714485">HY4426 : Wyre: arriving at Cubbie Roo’s Castle</a>), 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, <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714482">HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle</a> 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: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/giants/cubbierow.htm">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> Rousay is in the background.
Wyre: information board at Cubbie Roo’s 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: LinkExternal link Rousay is in the background.
Wyre: St. Mary’s chapel A 12th-century chapel close to <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714482">HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle</a>, with surrounding burial ground. We are standing in the modern-day burial ground, which is of a similar size to the enclosed churchyard.
Wyre: St. Mary’s 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.
Wyre: stile between St. Mary’s chapel and Cubbie Roo’s 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 <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714498">HY4426 : Wyre: St. Mary’s chapel</a> to <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714482">HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle</a>.
Wyre: stile between St. Mary’s chapel and Cubbie Roo’s 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.
Wyre: St. Mary’s chapel from Cubbie Roo’s Castle Looking back at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714498">HY4426 : Wyre: St. Mary’s chapel</a> from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714482">HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle</a>. 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.
Wyre: St. Mary’s chapel from Cubbie Roo’s 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.
Boats in Rousay
Boats in Rousay
Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre The remains of the oldest medieval castle in Scotland, built about 1145 by the Norse chieftain Kolbein Hrugar. Tower was originally 8m square, and surrounded by defensive earthworks.
Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre
The remains of the oldest medieval castle in Scotland, built about 1145 by the Norse chieftain Kolbein Hrugar. Tower was originally 8m square, and surrounded by defensive earthworks.
Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre The remains of the oldest medieval castle in Scotland, built about 1145 by the Norse chieftain Kolbein Hrugar. The tower was originally 8m square, and surrounded by defensive earthworks.
Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre
The remains of the oldest medieval castle in Scotland, built about 1145 by the Norse chieftain Kolbein Hrugar. The tower was originally 8m square, and surrounded by defensive earthworks.
Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre The remains of the oldest medieval castle in Scotland, built about 1145 by the Norse chieftain Kolbein Hrugar. The tower was originally 8m square, and surrounded by defensive earthworks.
Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre
The remains of the oldest medieval castle in Scotland, built about 1145 by the Norse chieftain Kolbein Hrugar. The tower was originally 8m square, and surrounded by defensive earthworks.
Farmland, Wyre, Orkney Looking towards Cubbie Roo's Castle.
Farmland, Wyre, Orkney
Looking towards Cubbie Roo's Castle.
Noust, Wyre, Orkney Looking west towards Orkney Mainland.
Noust, Wyre, Orkney
Looking west towards Orkney Mainland.
Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre Cubbie Roo's Castle (at centre of picture) and St. Mary's Chapel (HY 442262; at bottom of picture)
Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre
Cubbie Roo's Castle (at centre of picture) and St. Mary's Chapel (HY 442262; at bottom of picture)
The Taing, Wyre, Orkney Looking towards Orkney Mainland.
The Taing, Wyre, Orkney
Looking towards Orkney Mainland.
Ditch, Wyre, Orkney Looking towards the island of Gairsay with Orkney Mainland behind. The ruined building by the shore can be seen at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3067932">HY4325 : Noust, Wyre, Orkney</a>.
Ditch, Wyre, Orkney
Looking towards the island of Gairsay with Orkney Mainland behind. The ruined building by the shore can be seen at HY4325 : Noust, Wyre, Orkney.
Ruined building, Wyre, Orkney The building lies above Stromness Taing and was probably a noust, the Orkney term for a boat shelter. The RCAHMS entry for the building <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/289857/details/wyre+stromness+taing/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/289857/details/wyre+stromness+taing/">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> describes it as a "small stone structure on shore, approximately 2.5m square in plan, walls lime mortar bonded coursed stone construction and surviving to approximately 2.5m high on northern, western and southern sides, eastern side eroded into the sea."
Ruined building, Wyre, Orkney
The building lies above Stromness Taing and was probably a noust, the Orkney term for a boat shelter. The RCAHMS entry for the building LinkExternal link describes it as a "small stone structure on shore, approximately 2.5m square in plan, walls lime mortar bonded coursed stone construction and surviving to approximately 2.5m high on northern, western and southern sides, eastern side eroded into the sea."
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Bay of Bergeben is located at Grid Ref: HY4225 (Lat: 59.112507, Lng: -3.0015142)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///steepest.shelving.cackling. Near Brinian, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Wyre Sound Point of Nichol's Croo Bay of Bergeben Scara Taing Bay of Whelkmulli The Taing

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