Bay of Cott

Bay in Orkney

Scotland

Bay of Cott

Wyre: the post office The only retail outlet on the island is the post office, which is housed within an outbuilding of the postmistress&#039;s premises. As well as being one of the nation&#039;s smallest offices, it is reckoned to be the one with the smallest customer base, the island having a population of around 29.

The post office is open 9-11 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Post is collected daily Monday to Saturday at 8:25am as it has to be down at the pier before 9 to catch the first ferry, which also brings the incoming mail.

There has been a post office on the island since 6 July 1885, when it was called Veira; the name Wyre was adopted on 1 October 1933. — Wyre: the post office Credit: Chris Downer

The Bay of Cott is a scenic coastal area located in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. Situated on the southeastern coast of the island of South Ronaldsay, this bay offers breathtaking views and a tranquil atmosphere. It is surrounded by rugged cliffs, rolling hills, and pristine sandy beaches, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The bay is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, which are ideal for swimming and water sports during the warmer months. The sandy shores are perfect for sunbathing and picnicking, while the nearby dunes provide a habitat for various bird species. Birdwatchers can spot seabirds such as puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes nesting on the cliffs.

The Bay of Cott is also famous for its archaeological significance. Nearby, the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae is a UNESCO World Heritage site, dating back over 5,000 years. Visitors can explore the well-preserved stone houses and gain insights into the lives of the ancient inhabitants.

For those seeking outdoor activities, the bay offers excellent opportunities for walking, hiking, and cycling. The nearby Burray Village is home to a causeway, known as the Churchill Barriers, built during World War II to protect the British naval fleet. Today, it serves as a popular cycling route, offering stunning views of the bay and the surrounding landscape.

With its stunning natural beauty and rich historical heritage, the Bay of Cott in Orkney is a must-visit destination for those looking to immerse themselves in Scotland's diverse and captivating landscapes.

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Bay of Cott Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.112596/-2.9804732 or Grid Reference HY4325. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Wyre: the post office

The only retail outlet on the island is the post office, which is housed within an outbuilding of the postmistress's premises. As well as being one of the nation's smallest offices, it is reckoned to be the one with the smallest customer base, the island having a population of around 29. The post office is open 9-11 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Post is collected daily Monday to Saturday at 8:25am as it has to be down at the pier before 9 to catch the first ferry, which also brings the incoming mail. There has been a post office on the island since 6 July 1885, when it was called Veira; the name Wyre was adopted on 1 October 1933.

Chris Downer

Wyre: the pier

The ferry berthing point is directly opposite the one for Rousay, which we see in the background. The ferries from Tingwall, on the Orkney mainland, serve Rousay and Wyre and also Egilsay, to the north.

Chris Downer

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

Approaching Wyre

stalked

Boats in Rousay

stalked

Eynhallow arriving at Rousay

Sandy Gerrard

The Eynhallow at Rousay pier

Awaiting the return ferry to Tingwall and a slight feeling of discomfort as the ferry heads out without cars or passengers, but it is only a short return trip to Wyre before loading for Tingwall on the return.

Gordon Hatton

Jetty at Brinian

Boats moored at the jetty on Rousay.

Gordon Hatton

Rousay: post and milk arriving

This being the first boat of the day to Rousay, Wyre and Egilsay, it carries the morning mail as well as passengers (although no cars boarded and I was the only foot passenger). The postman's van was ready at the slipway and reversed onto the boat. There was then a flurry of activity as he handed the ferrymen the outgoing post and received the morning delivery for the island. Also going into the van was a small crate of pints of milk but no other items. The postman then drove off to deliver the post. I was travelling on to Egilsay so would see the same thing happen again at Wyre (though not enough to warrant a vehicle - just an exchange of mailbags) and again at Egilsay.

Chris Downer

Derelict building

The solid stone flag roof has collapsed, but the walls are still fine. I've a shed in my garden in a worse condition than this.

Ian Balcombe

Wyre: ferry and post ladies swap sacks

The first ferry of the day has just arrived at Wyre and this brings not only paying customers (actually, I was the only one) but also the day's post. (See HY4022 : Tingwall: the day’s post heads for Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre). Here we see the ferry lady handing the delivery to the island's postmistress and being handed in return the outgoing mail to be taken to the mainland and its onward journey.

Chris Downer

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Bay of Cott is located at Grid Ref: HY4325 (Lat: 59.112596, Lng: -2.9804732)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands