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Bay of Sowerdie

Bay in Orkney

Scotland

Bay of Sowerdie

Ruined buildings at Newbigging, Sanday
Ruined buildings at Newbigging, Sanday Credit: Alpin Stewart

The Bay of Sowerdie is a picturesque coastal area located in the Orkney Islands, off the northeastern coast of Scotland. Situated on the eastern side of the mainland, this bay is renowned for its natural beauty and unique geological features.

The bay is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which provide stunning panoramic views of the North Sea. These cliffs are composed of sandstone and are interspersed with small caves and arches, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts.

The Bay of Sowerdie is also home to a diverse range of wildlife. Visitors often spot various seabirds, such as puffins, guillemots, and fulmars, nesting along the cliffs. Grey seals can also be seen basking on the rocky shores during low tide.

The bay offers opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and birdwatching. There are several walking trails that wind along the coastline, offering breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscape. In addition, the bay is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), highlighting its ecological importance and ensuring its protection.

Access to the Bay of Sowerdie is relatively easy, with a nearby car park and a well-maintained path leading to the cliffs. The area is best visited during the summer months when the weather is milder and the wildlife is more active. Whether one is seeking tranquility, natural beauty, or a glimpse of Scotland's wildlife, the Bay of Sowerdie is a must-visit destination in the Orkney Islands.

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Bay of Sowerdie Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.30102/-2.4190387 or Grid Reference HY7646. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ruined buildings at Newbigging, Sanday
Ruined buildings at Newbigging, Sanday
Hearsie Hoose, Sanday Where the horse drawn hearse was (or is) kept.
Hearsie Hoose, Sanday
Where the horse drawn hearse was (or is) kept.
Sanday - Sand and dunes bordering Scuthvie Bay Beautiful white sands along the coast of Sanday bordering Scuthvie Bay. The view in the opposite direction can be seen here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7550397">HY7843 : Sanday - Looking across Scuthvie Bay to Start Point lighthouse</a>
Sanday - Sand and dunes bordering Scuthvie Bay
Beautiful white sands along the coast of Sanday bordering Scuthvie Bay. The view in the opposite direction can be seen here HY7843 : Sanday - Looking across Scuthvie Bay to Start Point lighthouse
Sanday - Curlew over Scuthvie Bay A flock of curlew (Numenius arquata) in the sky over Scuthvie Bay on Sanday - I make it 34 of them in this picture. Start Point Lighthouse can be seen in the distance - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7550397">HY7843 : Sanday - Looking across Scuthvie Bay to Start Point lighthouse</a> for more information on this. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7550420">HY7644 : Sanday - Curlew in flight</a> and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560814">HY7644 : Sanday - Two curlew in flight</a> for closer views of the curlew and more details about this wader.
Sanday - Curlew over Scuthvie Bay
A flock of curlew (Numenius arquata) in the sky over Scuthvie Bay on Sanday - I make it 34 of them in this picture. Start Point Lighthouse can be seen in the distance - see HY7843 : Sanday - Looking across Scuthvie Bay to Start Point lighthouse for more information on this. See HY7644 : Sanday - Curlew in flight and HY7644 : Sanday - Two curlew in flight for closer views of the curlew and more details about this wader.
Sanday - Curlew in flight Four curlew (Numenius arquata) in flight inland from Scuthvie Bay on the island of Sanday in the Orkneys. Their distinctive long down-curved bill can be seen clearly here, though this is not a particularly good way of identifying them as several other waders also have such bills, however, the curlew is considerably larger than most other waders. There were many more of these birds with their haunting and evocative call - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7550409">HY7644 : Sanday - Curlew over Scuthvie Bay</a> for a small flock of them. For more information on the curlew, see the BTO page here - <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/curlew" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/curlew">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> See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560814">HY7644 : Sanday - Two curlew in flight</a>
Sanday - Curlew in flight
Four curlew (Numenius arquata) in flight inland from Scuthvie Bay on the island of Sanday in the Orkneys. Their distinctive long down-curved bill can be seen clearly here, though this is not a particularly good way of identifying them as several other waders also have such bills, however, the curlew is considerably larger than most other waders. There were many more of these birds with their haunting and evocative call - see HY7644 : Sanday - Curlew over Scuthvie Bay for a small flock of them. For more information on the curlew, see the BTO page here - LinkExternal link See also HY7644 : Sanday - Two curlew in flight
Sanday - Two curlew in flight As with <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7550420">HY7644 : Sanday - Curlew in flight</a> these curlew (Numenius arquata) were flying inland from Scuthvie Bay on Sanday. The very long, slender curved bills can be seen clearly in this image along with the mottled plumage on the lower bird. See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7550409">HY7644 : Sanday - Curlew over Scuthvie Bay</a>
Sanday - Two curlew in flight
As with HY7644 : Sanday - Curlew in flight these curlew (Numenius arquata) were flying inland from Scuthvie Bay on Sanday. The very long, slender curved bills can be seen clearly in this image along with the mottled plumage on the lower bird. See also HY7644 : Sanday - Curlew over Scuthvie Bay
Whalehead WWII Chain Home radar station (Reserve site) Isle of Sanday, Orkney
Whalehead WWII Chain Home radar station (Reserve site)
Isle of Sanday, Orkney
Galilee Deserted houses in the north-east of Sanday
Galilee
Deserted houses in the north-east of Sanday
Irises growing on roadside, Eastern Sanday Yellow flag irises growing on the roadside at the eastern end of the B9069 on the island of Sanday. Behind the house are sand dunes edging Scuthvie Bay. The black on the road is tar, melting in the high temperatures (by local standards).
Irises growing on roadside, Eastern Sanday
Yellow flag irises growing on the roadside at the eastern end of the B9069 on the island of Sanday. Behind the house are sand dunes edging Scuthvie Bay. The black on the road is tar, melting in the high temperatures (by local standards).
Field roller at gateside, in the northwest of Sanday Sandy field in background shows why the Vikings named the island Sanday (= sand island)
Field roller at gateside, in the northwest of Sanday
Sandy field in background shows why the Vikings named the island Sanday (= sand island)
Rocky foreshore and croft on Northwall peninsula Coastal scenery on north eastern peninsula of the island of Sanday
Rocky foreshore and croft on Northwall peninsula
Coastal scenery on north eastern peninsula of the island of Sanday
Road alongside Bay of Sandquoy Road runs alongside the eastern shore of the Bay of Sandquoy , only just above the high tide level on the island of Sanday.
Road alongside Bay of Sandquoy
Road runs alongside the eastern shore of the Bay of Sandquoy , only just above the high tide level on the island of Sanday.
South end of Bay of Sowerdie Looking along a shell sand bay with Start Point lighthouse in the far distance.
South end of Bay of Sowerdie
Looking along a shell sand bay with Start Point lighthouse in the far distance.
Looking South to the Bay of Sowerdie The Bay of Sowerdie is flanked to the North and South by sandstone bedrock outcrops.
Looking South to the Bay of Sowerdie
The Bay of Sowerdie is flanked to the North and South by sandstone bedrock outcrops.
Geo of Toftsness, in the rain The bedrock reef, Geo of Toftsness, is about to disappear in a bank of foggy drizzle. To seaward of the rocks is the North Ronaldsay Firth.
Geo of Toftsness, in the rain
The bedrock reef, Geo of Toftsness, is about to disappear in a bank of foggy drizzle. To seaward of the rocks is the North Ronaldsay Firth.
Cairns on Tofts Ness, Sanday Looking South West, through fine drizzle, towards one of many cairns on this sandy headland of Sanday.
Cairns on Tofts Ness, Sanday
Looking South West, through fine drizzle, towards one of many cairns on this sandy headland of Sanday.
Galilee, Sanday, Orkney This cottage was being reconstructed at the time of our visit, complete with its own wind turbine.
Galilee, Sanday, Orkney
This cottage was being reconstructed at the time of our visit, complete with its own wind turbine.
Pund of Hindgreenie, Sanday, Orkney
Pund of Hindgreenie, Sanday, Orkney
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Bay of Sowerdie is located at Grid Ref: HY7646 (Lat: 59.30102, Lng: -2.4190387)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///fatter.indicated.fruit. Near Hollandstoun, Orkney Islands

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Bay of Sowerdie

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.30102,-2.4190387
Generator Method: wind_turbine
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: wind
Generator Type: horizontal_axis
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.2987547/-2.4244326
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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