Bay of Roeness

Bay in Orkney

Scotland

Bay of Roeness

Egilsay: a view from Rousay Looking across the Rousay Sound from the isle of Rousay towards Egilsay, with the distinctive round tower of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2584979">HY4630 : Egilsay: St. Magnus church</a> roughly centre of the picture.

Behind Egilsay are Muckle Green Holm and its companion Little Green Holm, with Stronsay silhouetted right across the picture beyond. — Egilsay: a view from Rousay Credit: Chris Downer

The Bay of Roeness, located in the Orkney Islands of Scotland, is a picturesque bay that stretches along the northeastern coast of the island of West Mainland. With its stunning natural beauty and rich history, it has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

The bay is known for its pristine sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and magnificent cliffs that provide breathtaking views of the North Sea. It offers a tranquil and serene atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and enjoying the beauty of nature. The bay is also home to a variety of wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and even occasional sightings of dolphins and whales.

Historically, the Bay of Roeness has played a significant role in Orkney's maritime heritage. It was once a bustling hub for fishing and trade, with small harbors and piers dotting the coastline. Today, remnants of these harbors can still be seen, serving as a reminder of the bay's past.

Visitors to the bay can explore the nearby village of Birsay, which offers charming cottages, a picturesque lighthouse, and the ruins of Birsay Palace, once the residence of the Norse earls of Orkney. The nearby Brough of Birsay, a small tidal island accessible by a causeway during low tide, offers an opportunity to explore ancient Pictish and Norse settlements.

Overall, the Bay of Roeness offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance, making it a must-visit destination for those exploring the Orkney Islands.

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Bay of Roeness Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.170174/-2.9351007 or Grid Reference HY4631. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Egilsay: a view from Rousay Looking across the Rousay Sound from the isle of Rousay towards Egilsay, with the distinctive round tower of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2584979">HY4630 : Egilsay: St. Magnus church</a> roughly centre of the picture.

Behind Egilsay are Muckle Green Holm and its companion Little Green Holm, with Stronsay silhouetted right across the picture beyond.

Egilsay: a view from Rousay

Looking across the Rousay Sound from the isle of Rousay towards Egilsay, with the distinctive round tower of HY4630 : Egilsay: St. Magnus church roughly centre of the picture. Behind Egilsay are Muckle Green Holm and its companion Little Green Holm, with Stronsay silhouetted right across the picture beyond.

Beach below Maeness A view of Egilsay from a passing ferry, though the hills behind are on Rousay. St Magnus Church is far right.

Beach below Maeness

A view of Egilsay from a passing ferry, though the hills behind are on Rousay. St Magnus Church is far right.

Mae Ness A very low headland on Egilsay. St Magnus Church is in the centre, while Knitchen Hill on Rousay stands behind.

Mae Ness

A very low headland on Egilsay. St Magnus Church is in the centre, while Knitchen Hill on Rousay stands behind.

St. Magnus Church, Egilsay

St. Magnus Church, Egilsay

Egilsay: St. Magnus Kirk from the road Looking towards the distinctive round tower of this historic church, from the road running north-south along the island. A lump of the island of Rousay is in the background.

Egilsay: St. Magnus Kirk from the road

Looking towards the distinctive round tower of this historic church, from the road running north-south along the island. A lump of the island of Rousay is in the background.

Egilsay: southward view along the road The island crossroads is in the foreground of the picture, beyond which we look along the straight road running south. The island&#039;s postbox is on the right just beyond the junction.

Egilsay: southward view along the road

The island crossroads is in the foreground of the picture, beyond which we look along the straight road running south. The island's postbox is on the right just beyond the junction.

Egilsay: St. Magnus Kirk from the harbour Looking across the island&#039;s new jetty, on which is the road sign, towards its most famous landmark.

Egilsay: St. Magnus Kirk from the harbour

Looking across the island's new jetty, on which is the road sign, towards its most famous landmark.

Egilsay: the road to the ferry Approaching the ferry slipway, which is hidden behind the house. The island of Rousay is in the background.

Egilsay: the road to the ferry

Approaching the ferry slipway, which is hidden behind the house. The island of Rousay is in the background.

Egilsay: the school The island&#039;s school is currently &#039;mothballed&#039; because there are no children of primary school age on the island.

Egilsay: the school

The island's school is currently 'mothballed' because there are no children of primary school age on the island.

Egilsay: postbox № KW17 61 The island&#039;s postbox is attached to a large wooden pole by the crossroads and is emptied at 8:25 each morning except Sunday. The island of Rousay is in the distance.

Egilsay: postbox № KW17 61

The island's postbox is attached to a large wooden pole by the crossroads and is emptied at 8:25 each morning except Sunday. The island of Rousay is in the distance.

Egilsay: St. Magnus the Martyr monument The plaque states:

Erected by the rector and congregation of St. Magnus the Martyr by London Bridge, and the minister and congregation of St. Magnus cathedral Kirkwall, to mark the traditional spot where Earl Magnus was slain, A.D. c.1116 and to commemorate the octocentenary of St. Magnus cathedral, 1937.

Egilsay: St. Magnus the Martyr monument

The plaque states: Erected by the rector and congregation of St. Magnus the Martyr by London Bridge, and the minister and congregation of St. Magnus cathedral Kirkwall, to mark the traditional spot where Earl Magnus was slain, A.D. c.1116 and to commemorate the octocentenary of St. Magnus cathedral, 1937.

Egilsay: view past the postbox towards Rousay The island&#039;s postbox (see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2584959">HY4630 : Egilsay: postbox № KW17 61</a>) provides a splash of colour on a grey, drizzly day as we look across the island towards the slopes of the neighbourning isle of Rousay.

Egilsay: view past the postbox towards Rousay

The island's postbox (see HY4630 : Egilsay: postbox № KW17 61) provides a splash of colour on a grey, drizzly day as we look across the island towards the slopes of the neighbourning isle of Rousay.

Egilsay: St. Magnus church The ruins of the 12th-century church dedicated to Earl Magnus, who was killed a short distance southeast of here in about 1116.<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/2697/egilsay-st-magnuss-church" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/2697/egilsay-st-magnuss-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>

Egilsay: St. Magnus church

The ruins of the 12th-century church dedicated to Earl Magnus, who was killed a short distance southeast of here in about 1116.Link

Egilsay: welcome to Onziebust Nature Reserve Looking along the road east from the crossroads. The island across the water is Eday.

Egilsay: welcome to Onziebust Nature Reserve

Looking along the road east from the crossroads. The island across the water is Eday.

Egilsay: St. Magnus church is pointed out Pretty much the only proper road sign on the island - apart from a couple of weight restrictions facing traffic coming off the ferry - gives advance notice to turn left at the crossroads for <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2584979">HY4630 : Egilsay: St. Magnus church</a>, which we see in the field beyond.

Egilsay: St. Magnus church is pointed out

Pretty much the only proper road sign on the island - apart from a couple of weight restrictions facing traffic coming off the ferry - gives advance notice to turn left at the crossroads for HY4630 : Egilsay: St. Magnus church, which we see in the field beyond.

Egilsay: approaching the ferry slipway I believe the road signs in this photo are, with the exception of a tourist direction sign for the church, the only ones on the island. The road is seen here as it curves round to the slipway where the ferry berths.

Egilsay: approaching the ferry slipway

I believe the road signs in this photo are, with the exception of a tourist direction sign for the church, the only ones on the island. The road is seen here as it curves round to the slipway where the ferry berths.

Egilsay: public telephone The phone is in the waiting room for the ferry.

Egilsay: public telephone

The phone is in the waiting room for the ferry.

Egilsay: boat moored at the pier Standing on the ferry slipway, we look out past a small fishing boat which is moored on the subatantial concrete pier which I believe has been recently rebuilt.

Egilsay: boat moored at the pier

Standing on the ferry slipway, we look out past a small fishing boat which is moored on the subatantial concrete pier which I believe has been recently rebuilt.

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Bay of Roeness is located at Grid Ref: HY4631 (Lat: 59.170174, Lng: -2.9351007)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///grinders.raking.exhaling. Near Brinian, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Geos of Howeber Summera Geo Itherie Geo Howe Geo Rumley Geo Bellagreen of Howe

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.170174,-2.9351007

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 59.1660822/-2.9333845

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 59.1669153/-2.9330975

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 59.1677759/-2.9327837

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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