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Bay of Meil

Bay in Orkney

Scotland

Bay of Meil

Work Farm and Head of Work, St Ola, Orkney Beef and sheep farm on a headland to the north east of Kirkwall, Orkney. Small loch impounded by an 'ayre' or bar at right
Work Farm and Head of Work, St Ola, Orkney Credit: Karl Cooper

Bay of Meil is a picturesque coastal bay located on the island of Orkney in Scotland. It is situated on the northeastern coast of the island, approximately 5 miles northwest of the town of Kirkwall. The bay is known for its stunning natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

The Bay of Meil is characterized by its sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and surrounding rolling green hills. The bay provides breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the nearby island of Shapinsay. The area is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, with seabirds often seen nesting along the cliffs and seals occasionally spotted basking on the rocks.

The bay offers various recreational activities for visitors to enjoy. Many people come to the Bay of Meil for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking on the sandy shores. The calm waters of the bay also make it a popular spot for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing.

In addition to its natural beauty, the Bay of Meil has historical significance. It is believed to have been a landing point for Viking ships during ancient times. Nearby, the remains of a Viking settlement have been discovered, adding to the area's cultural heritage.

Overall, the Bay of Meil is a serene and picturesque destination that offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and rich history of Orkney.

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Bay of Meil Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.995686/-2.9034055 or Grid Reference HY4812. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Work Farm and Head of Work, St Ola, Orkney Beef and sheep farm on a headland to the north east of Kirkwall, Orkney. Small loch impounded by an 'ayre' or bar at right
Work Farm and Head of Work, St Ola, Orkney
Beef and sheep farm on a headland to the north east of Kirkwall, Orkney. Small loch impounded by an 'ayre' or bar at right
Blackhall
Blackhall
Road junction at HY463119 Turning right at the junction leads to the Head of Work (HY4713); left leads down towards Craigiefield. Land in the extreme distance, left side, is the island of Rousay. Land in the extreme distance, centre and right, is the island of Shapinsay.
Road junction at HY463119
Turning right at the junction leads to the Head of Work (HY4713); left leads down towards Craigiefield. Land in the extreme distance, left side, is the island of Rousay. Land in the extreme distance, centre and right, is the island of Shapinsay.
Farm of Blackhall The farm, with the Shapinsay Sound and Isle of Shapinsay beyond.
Farm of Blackhall
The farm, with the Shapinsay Sound and Isle of Shapinsay beyond.
Cormorants on rock outcrop
Cormorants on rock outcrop
West to Seatter Looking west along the track from Head of Holland towards the farm of Seatter, on a balmy June evening.
West to Seatter
Looking west along the track from Head of Holland towards the farm of Seatter, on a balmy June evening.
Holland The cottage of Holland a few miles east of Kirkwall. Head of Holland behind in sunshine with man made spoil heap from little quarry just beyond. Presumably Holland just means high land (though not in this case!) - there are numerous dwellings called Holland in the Orkney Isles - and are usually at or near the high point of the relevant island - Papa Westray <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/176583" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/176583">Link</a> and North Ronaldsay <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/341485" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/341485">Link</a> being examples.
Holland
The cottage of Holland a few miles east of Kirkwall. Head of Holland behind in sunshine with man made spoil heap from little quarry just beyond. Presumably Holland just means high land (though not in this case!) - there are numerous dwellings called Holland in the Orkney Isles - and are usually at or near the high point of the relevant island - Papa Westray Link and North Ronaldsay Link being examples.
Head of Holland Looking north from the spoil heap of the quarry in foreground - Sandstone Quarry - across Head of Holland towards the islands of Shapinsay and in far distance Rousay. The Stronsay ferry can be seen in front of Shapinsay.
Head of Holland
Looking north from the spoil heap of the quarry in foreground - Sandstone Quarry - across Head of Holland towards the islands of Shapinsay and in far distance Rousay. The Stronsay ferry can be seen in front of Shapinsay.
Cliff, Rocks and Sea Easternmost part of Head of Holland, Orkney - looking north.
Cliff, Rocks and Sea
Easternmost part of Head of Holland, Orkney - looking north.
Whitefowl Nevi Another fine name in another fine location on the east side of Head of Holland, Orkney mainland - Sea Pink or Thrift in foreground.
Whitefowl Nevi
Another fine name in another fine location on the east side of Head of Holland, Orkney mainland - Sea Pink or Thrift in foreground.
Passing Place The lane leads to a facility run by Scottish Water, it can be quite busy at times.
Passing Place
The lane leads to a facility run by Scottish Water, it can be quite busy at times.
Farmland near Blackhall Looking towards the Bay of Meil with the Head of Holland beyond.
Farmland near Blackhall
Looking towards the Bay of Meil with the Head of Holland beyond.
Farming and Marine Engineering Seatter farm Most Orcadian farmers have links to the sea. Many Orcadian fishermen have links to farming - get it?
Farming and Marine Engineering
Seatter farm Most Orcadian farmers have links to the sea. Many Orcadian fishermen have links to farming - get it?
Spoiled View This is a Scottish Water site and, except for the skips, it has a very beautiful view. That is Balfour Castle across the String.
Spoiled View
This is a Scottish Water site and, except for the skips, it has a very beautiful view. That is Balfour Castle across the String.
Head of Work Shoreline The peninsula of Work is very inviting. Vehicle access stops at the Scottish Water treatment plant but once beyond the locked gate, a wondrous coast opens up. Signs of otter, small sandy beaches, beds of wild flowers, nesting birds, ponies grazing, sea views, Pre-history sites and wonderful views over the String. In season, HUGE liners come through The String to enter Kirkwall Bay. All the year 'round some impressive Service Vessels go to and from the tidal test site, located off the island of Eday. One can just see the apparently abandoned skips, owned by Scottish water. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2384782">HY4714 : Spoiled View</a>
Head of Work Shoreline
The peninsula of Work is very inviting. Vehicle access stops at the Scottish Water treatment plant but once beyond the locked gate, a wondrous coast opens up. Signs of otter, small sandy beaches, beds of wild flowers, nesting birds, ponies grazing, sea views, Pre-history sites and wonderful views over the String. In season, HUGE liners come through The String to enter Kirkwall Bay. All the year 'round some impressive Service Vessels go to and from the tidal test site, located off the island of Eday. One can just see the apparently abandoned skips, owned by Scottish water. See HY4714 : Spoiled View
Perfect Shelter-pen How nice this would be on a wild day. A perfectly built shelter for ponies. Excellent views from within, not that the ponies would be tall enough. Clearly marked on the 1:25000 map as a Geograph.
Perfect Shelter-pen
How nice this would be on a wild day. A perfectly built shelter for ponies. Excellent views from within, not that the ponies would be tall enough. Clearly marked on the 1:25000 map as a Geograph.
Chambered Cairn Head of Work This burial chamber has been opened and left to the elements. Normally, the chambers or stalls are underground and in similar sites, human remains have been found. Much more information here - <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=17260" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=17260">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>
Chambered Cairn Head of Work
This burial chamber has been opened and left to the elements. Normally, the chambers or stalls are underground and in similar sites, human remains have been found. Much more information here - LinkExternal link
Head of Holland Quarry This is the quarry from which a good proportion of Kirkwall Cathedral stone was taken from 1165 onwards. In more recent times it has been reopened for further extraction to enable restoration work - here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2494668">HY4410 : Rose Window</a>. The recent weather-scar seen in this picture exposes the delightful red colouring
Head of Holland Quarry
This is the quarry from which a good proportion of Kirkwall Cathedral stone was taken from 1165 onwards. In more recent times it has been reopened for further extraction to enable restoration work - here HY4410 : Rose Window. The recent weather-scar seen in this picture exposes the delightful red colouring
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Bay of Meil is located at Grid Ref: HY4812 (Lat: 58.995686, Lng: -2.9034055)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///repayment.inclines.cookbooks. Near Kirkwall, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

North Taing Bay of Meil Head of Holland

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.995686,-2.9034055
Bay of Meil
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 58.9946038/-2.9041672
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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