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The Ayre

Beach in Orkney

Scotland

The Ayre

Old Longhope lifeboat station Now converted into a very interesting museum, with the emphasis on the Longhope lifeboat which foundered in 1969 killing all 8 lifeboatmen
Old Longhope lifeboat station Credit: John Ferguson

The Ayre is a picturesque beach located in the Orkney Islands, an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland. Stretching for approximately 2.5 kilometers, this sandy beach is situated on the eastern coast of the mainland, near the village of Kirkwall.

The Ayre is known for its stunning natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. The soft golden sand, coupled with crystal-clear turquoise waters, creates a mesmerizing sight, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. The beach is surrounded by rolling sand dunes and grassy banks, providing a peaceful and secluded environment.

The Ayre offers visitors a range of activities and amenities. It is an ideal spot for sunbathing and picnicking, with plenty of space to unwind and enjoy the surrounding scenery. The calm waters also make it a fantastic location for swimming and paddling, particularly during the warmer summer months.

Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse wildlife found in the area. The beach is home to a wide variety of bird species, including oystercatchers, sandpipers, and terns. Seals can often be spotted lounging on the nearby rocks, adding to the charm of the beach.

Access to The Ayre is convenient, with a car park located nearby and a well-maintained footpath leading directly to the beach. The area is also equipped with public toilets and picnic facilities, ensuring visitors' comfort and convenience.

Overall, The Ayre in Orkney offers a serene and picturesque coastal experience, combining natural beauty with a tranquil ambiance, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and beach enthusiasts.

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The Ayre Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.785717/-3.2303664 or Grid Reference ND2889. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old Longhope lifeboat station Now converted into a very interesting museum, with the emphasis on the Longhope lifeboat which foundered in 1969 killing all 8 lifeboatmen
Old Longhope lifeboat station
Now converted into a very interesting museum, with the emphasis on the Longhope lifeboat which foundered in 1969 killing all 8 lifeboatmen
Melsetter Postbox Victorian Postbos at Melsetter on Hoy [KW16 46]
Melsetter Postbox
Victorian Postbos at Melsetter on Hoy [KW16 46]
Old Milestone by the B9047, Parish of Walls & Flotta, Hoy By the B9047, in parish of Walls & Flotta (Hoy District), East of corner with School Bus sign, in front of wall. Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_HYNNSN03.
Old Milestone by the B9047, Parish of Walls & Flotta, Hoy
By the B9047, in parish of Walls & Flotta (Hoy District), East of corner with School Bus sign, in front of wall. Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_HYNNSN03.
Old Milestone by the B9047, The Ayre, Walls and Flotta parish Stone post by the B9047, in parish of Walls and Flotta (Hoy District), The Ayre, on narrow verge. Inscription reads:- N.NESS 4 {arrow->} S.NESS (??) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_HYNNSN04
Old Milestone by the B9047, The Ayre, Walls and Flotta parish
Stone post by the B9047, in parish of Walls and Flotta (Hoy District), The Ayre, on narrow verge. Inscription reads:- N.NESS 4 {arrow->} S.NESS (??) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_HYNNSN04
South Walls (Hoy) - The Clevies
South Walls (Hoy) - The Clevies
Longhope Lifeboat Museum
Longhope Lifeboat Museum
Second World War Pillbox at The Ayre A type 22 pillbox. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/81775/south-walls-the-ayre" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/81775/south-walls-the-ayre">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>
Second World War Pillbox at The Ayre
A type 22 pillbox. LinkExternal link
Melsetter House Chapel This is the Chapel of St Colm & St Margaret Wonderfully cool and quiet inside.
Melsetter House Chapel
This is the Chapel of St Colm & St Margaret Wonderfully cool and quiet inside.
The Ayre, South Walls Roadside flowers fringe the shore
The Ayre, South Walls
Roadside flowers fringe the shore
Longhope Lifeboat Museum Suspended over the bay of Aith Hope
Longhope Lifeboat Museum
Suspended over the bay of Aith Hope
Longhope: heading down to The Ayre The road along the south side of South Walls descends towards The Ayre, the causeway that links South Walls with the neighbouring island of Hoy.
Longhope: heading down to The Ayre
The road along the south side of South Walls descends towards The Ayre, the causeway that links South Walls with the neighbouring island of Hoy.
Hoy: postbox № KW17 46, Melsetter A Victorian postbox set into a wall backing on to the western extremity of North Bay. It is emptied at 7:45 each weekday and Saturday morning. Although Hoy and South Walls are postally within KW16 (Stromness), all the postboxes on the two islands are numbered KW17, presumably in error.
Hoy: postbox № KW17 46, Melsetter
A Victorian postbox set into a wall backing on to the western extremity of North Bay. It is emptied at 7:45 each weekday and Saturday morning. Although Hoy and South Walls are postally within KW16 (Stromness), all the postboxes on the two islands are numbered KW17, presumably in error.
South Walls: The Ayre A causeway linking the island of South Walls (ahead of us) with Hoy. The parish at the southern part of Hoy is North Walls.
South Walls: The Ayre
A causeway linking the island of South Walls (ahead of us) with Hoy. The parish at the southern part of Hoy is North Walls.
South Walls: beach at The Ayre This lovely beach curves around <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2608323">ND2889 : South Walls: The Ayre</a>, the causeway linking South Walls with Hoy.
South Walls: beach at The Ayre
This lovely beach curves around ND2889 : South Walls: The Ayre, the causeway linking South Walls with Hoy.
South Walls: dropping down to The Ayre The more minor, southern road across the island heads down towards <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2608323">ND2889 : South Walls: The Ayre</a>, the causeway linking South Walls with the neighbouring island of Hoy.
South Walls: dropping down to The Ayre
The more minor, southern road across the island heads down towards ND2889 : South Walls: The Ayre, the causeway linking South Walls with the neighbouring island of Hoy.
Brims: old lifeboat station An unmistakable former function of this building.
Brims: old lifeboat station
An unmistakable former function of this building.
Hoy: postbox № KW17 41, Brims A small postbox alongside an old boating shed and surrounded by fishing paraohernalia. It is emptied at 7:45 each morning, except Sunday. Although Hoy and South Walls are postally within KW16 (Stromness), all the postboxes on the two islands are numbered KW17, presumably in error.
Hoy: postbox № KW17 41, Brims
A small postbox alongside an old boating shed and surrounded by fishing paraohernalia. It is emptied at 7:45 each morning, except Sunday. Although Hoy and South Walls are postally within KW16 (Stromness), all the postboxes on the two islands are numbered KW17, presumably in error.
Shore at The Ayre, South Walls
Shore at The Ayre, South Walls
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The Ayre is located at Grid Ref: ND2889 (Lat: 58.785717, Lng: -3.2303664)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///enabling.mammoths.shipwreck. Near Lyness, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Aith Hope Hurliness The Ayre

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.785717,-3.2303664
Post Box
Post Box Type: lamp
Lat/Long: 58.7833068/-3.2350586
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.7828929/-3.236289
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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