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Rack Wick

Bay in Orkney

Scotland

Rack Wick

Craw Nev Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Craw Nev Credit: Anne Burgess

Rack Wick is a small bay located on the northern coast of Orkney, an archipelago situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland. Nestled between the towns of Wick and John o' Groats, Rack Wick is known for its picturesque scenery and tranquil atmosphere.

The bay is characterized by its rugged coastline, featuring cliffs that provide stunning panoramic views of the North Sea. The area is rich in wildlife, with various bird species such as guillemots, puffins, and razorbills making their nests along the cliffs. Seals can often be spotted basking on the rocks near the shore, adding to the charm of the bay.

Rack Wick is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The bay offers ample opportunities for hiking, with several coastal trails that wind along the cliffs and provide breathtaking vistas. The clear waters of the bay are also ideal for water sports like kayaking and snorkeling.

Although Rack Wick is predominantly a natural attraction, there are a few facilities in the area to cater to visitors. A small parking area allows for easy access to the bay, and there are basic amenities like public toilets available. However, it is important to note that Rack Wick does not have any commercial establishments, so visitors are encouraged to bring their own supplies.

Overall, Rack Wick is a hidden gem in Orkney, offering a peaceful and unspoiled coastal experience with its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife. It is a must-visit destination for those seeking a serene escape in the Scottish Highlands.

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Rack Wick Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.269775/-2.876234 or Grid Reference HY5042. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Craw Nev Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Craw Nev
Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Boardwalk For the convenience of those walking to and from the cliff path, a boardwalk has been provided to get across a rough or wet patch.
Boardwalk
For the convenience of those walking to and from the cliff path, a boardwalk has been provided to get across a rough or wet patch.
Pink Campion Red Campion and White Campion, both of which occur here, are known to hybridise. This pale-flowered plant is probably such a hybrid.
Pink Campion
Red Campion and White Campion, both of which occur here, are known to hybridise. This pale-flowered plant is probably such a hybrid.
Puffin (Fratercula arctica) Although we were assured by several people that there were hundreds of Puffins at the Castle of Burrian, we saw only a few, of which this one posed obligingly for several minutes for us.
Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Although we were assured by several people that there were hundreds of Puffins at the Castle of Burrian, we saw only a few, of which this one posed obligingly for several minutes for us.
Cove at Saaclay The old six-inch map suggests that Saaclay is the name of the promontory from which this view was taken, but none of the maps names the cove itself.
Cove at Saaclay
The old six-inch map suggests that Saaclay is the name of the promontory from which this view was taken, but none of the maps names the cove itself.
Castle o' Burrian The name seems to be applied to the sea stack rather than just to the prehistoric site on its summit. It is supposed to be one of the best places to see Puffins, but we saw even fewer here than we had seen at the Brough of Birsay or the Brough of Bigging the previous day.
Castle o' Burrian
The name seems to be applied to the sea stack rather than just to the prehistoric site on its summit. It is supposed to be one of the best places to see Puffins, but we saw even fewer here than we had seen at the Brough of Birsay or the Brough of Bigging the previous day.
Castle o' Burrian From here you can clearly see that this is a rock stack, cut off from the land at high tide.
Castle o' Burrian
From here you can clearly see that this is a rock stack, cut off from the land at high tide.
Bare Rowa Bare Rowa seems to be the name of the bay or cove enclosed by the headland here.
Bare Rowa
Bare Rowa seems to be the name of the bay or cove enclosed by the headland here.
White Campion (Silene latifolia) The cliffs were thick with both White Campion and Red Campion, and a range of hybrids of all shades of pink.
White Campion (Silene latifolia)
The cliffs were thick with both White Campion and Red Campion, and a range of hybrids of all shades of pink.
Bight of Stangerhead The bay and the cliffs on the right are in this square, but Stanger Head itself is in the next square.
Bight of Stangerhead
The bay and the cliffs on the right are in this square, but Stanger Head itself is in the next square.
Red Campion (Silene dioica) One of the numerous fine large clumps of Red Campion along the cliffs.
Red Campion (Silene dioica)
One of the numerous fine large clumps of Red Campion along the cliffs.
Sea Campion (Silene uniflora) This campion is fairly common alongside the clifftop path.
Sea Campion (Silene uniflora)
This campion is fairly common alongside the clifftop path.
Thrift (Armeria maritima) A particularly fine clump of Thrift or Sea Pink.
Thrift (Armeria maritima)
A particularly fine clump of Thrift or Sea Pink.
Rack Wick A bay which penetrates towards the central spine of Westray.
Rack Wick
A bay which penetrates towards the central spine of Westray.
Rapness Mill, Westray Two storey grain mill with repairs in modern materials that was placed on the at risk register in 1990. Canmore date it to the 18th century but a walking guide apparently by Orkney Island Council claims it to be built about 1850. Immediately prior to 1933 the Harcus family are said to work the mill. The 1843-1882 OS map shows the mill but I can't find an earlier detailed map.
Rapness Mill, Westray
Two storey grain mill with repairs in modern materials that was placed on the at risk register in 1990. Canmore date it to the 18th century but a walking guide apparently by Orkney Island Council claims it to be built about 1850. Immediately prior to 1933 the Harcus family are said to work the mill. The 1843-1882 OS map shows the mill but I can't find an earlier detailed map.
Stanger Head Looking out to the mouth of a narrow inlet, with an intrepid geographer on the tip of Stanger Head taking pictures in the opposite direction.
Stanger Head
Looking out to the mouth of a narrow inlet, with an intrepid geographer on the tip of Stanger Head taking pictures in the opposite direction.
Clifftop obstacles Disposing of rubbish used to be 'over the cliff edge' on some islands, but some of this looks quite recent.
Clifftop obstacles
Disposing of rubbish used to be 'over the cliff edge' on some islands, but some of this looks quite recent.
Croft house near Sangar A network of minor roads links the croft houses on the Rapness peninsula of Westray.
Croft house near Sangar
A network of minor roads links the croft houses on the Rapness peninsula of Westray.
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Rack Wick is located at Grid Ref: HY5042 (Lat: 59.269775, Lng: -2.876234)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///blushes.maker.thrillers. Near Pierowall, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Vassancro Point o' Burrian Bight of Stangerhead Rack Wick Doon Hellia Castle o' Burrian

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.269775,-2.876234
Parking
Lat/Long: 59.2656517/-2.8759937
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Rapness Mill (watermill, wheel, C18 grain)
Addr City: Rapness, Westray, Orkney
Man Made: watermill
Lat/Long: 59.2659715/-2.875781
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Rack Wick
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 59.2682712/-2.8782678
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Bay of Burland Orkney
North Wick Orkney

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