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Whale Sand

Beach in Orkney

Scotland

Whale Sand

Old Milestone facing Bay of Tuquoy, Westray Parish By the UC road, in parish of Westray (District), Tuquoy, 100m South of corner near farm. Inscription reads:- : P / 3½ : (To Pierowall) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_WYPWTQ04.
Old Milestone facing Bay of Tuquoy, Westray Parish Credit: Milestone Society

Whale Sand is a stunning beach located on the island of Sanday in the Orkney archipelago, north of mainland Scotland. Stretching over 3 miles, this beautiful sandy beach offers visitors a picturesque and tranquil setting to enjoy the natural wonders of the area.

The beach is named after the numerous whale skeletons that have washed ashore over the years, adding an intriguing element to its already captivating allure. Although these whale remains have long since decayed, their presence is a testament to the rich marine life found in the surrounding waters.

Whale Sand boasts pristine white sands that are soft to the touch, making it an ideal spot for sunbathing, picnicking, or simply taking a leisurely stroll along the shore. The clear turquoise waters are perfect for swimming, although caution is advised due to the unpredictable nature of the North Sea.

Visitors to Whale Sand can also explore the fascinating rock formations and caves that dot the coastline, providing opportunities for exploration and discovery. The beach is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as it is home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and fulmars.

The remote location of Whale Sand ensures that it remains relatively uncrowded, allowing visitors to enjoy a peaceful and unspoiled experience. With its breathtaking natural beauty and unique history, Whale Sand is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil escape in the Orkney Islands.

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Whale Sand Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.271666/-2.9546723 or Grid Reference HY4543. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old Milestone facing Bay of Tuquoy, Westray Parish By the UC road, in parish of Westray (District), Tuquoy, 100m South of corner near farm. Inscription reads:- : P / 3½ : (To Pierowall) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_WYPWTQ04.
Old Milestone facing Bay of Tuquoy, Westray Parish
By the UC road, in parish of Westray (District), Tuquoy, 100m South of corner near farm. Inscription reads:- : P / 3½ : (To Pierowall) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_WYPWTQ04.
Old Milestone by the B6097, Midbea, Westray By the B6097, in parish of Westray (District), 100m North of crossroads corner, on verge. Inscription reads:- : P / 3 : : T / ½ : (To Pierowall and Tuquoy) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_WYPWTQ03.
Old Milestone by the B6097, Midbea, Westray
By the B6097, in parish of Westray (District), 100m North of crossroads corner, on verge. Inscription reads:- : P / 3 : : T / ½ : (To Pierowall and Tuquoy) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_WYPWTQ03.
Bay of Tuquoy Small fishing boat by the shore of the Bay of Tuquoy.
Bay of Tuquoy
Small fishing boat by the shore of the Bay of Tuquoy.
Bay of Tuquoy Bay of Tuquoy at low tide.
Bay of Tuquoy
Bay of Tuquoy at low tide.
Midbea: postbox № KW17 67 An Elizabeth II-reign postbox stands alongside the George V wall box which it replaces, outside the old schoolhouse at Midbea. The collection time is 11am daily except Sunday - but post collected will not leave the island the same day.
Midbea: postbox № KW17 67
An Elizabeth II-reign postbox stands alongside the George V wall box which it replaces, outside the old schoolhouse at Midbea. The collection time is 11am daily except Sunday - but post collected will not leave the island the same day.
Tuquoy: a small jetty The road comes to an end at a small hut by this little jetty extending into the Bay of Tuquoy.
Tuquoy: a small jetty
The road comes to an end at a small hut by this little jetty extending into the Bay of Tuquoy.
Tuquoy: rocks at Point o’ the Scurroes Looking across the sea towards the island of Rousay, with the rocky ledges in the foreground.
Tuquoy: rocks at Point o’ the Scurroes
Looking across the sea towards the island of Rousay, with the rocky ledges in the foreground.
Tuquoy: Whale Sand A couple of small lengths of beach, this being one of them, punctuates the rocky shoreline along this part of the Westray coast. The island of Rousay faces us in the distance.
Tuquoy: Whale Sand
A couple of small lengths of beach, this being one of them, punctuates the rocky shoreline along this part of the Westray coast. The island of Rousay faces us in the distance.
Tuquoy: Cross Kirk A small ruined chapel by the water's edge, currently undergoing renovation work.
Tuquoy: Cross Kirk
A small ruined chapel by the water's edge, currently undergoing renovation work.
Tuquoy: Cross Kirk churchyard Looking across the graveyard at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2630796">HY4543 : Tuquoy: Cross Kirk</a>, a view cunningly avoiding the most conspicuous of the renovation work, although a couple of scaffold poles are visible.
Tuquoy: Cross Kirk churchyard
Looking across the graveyard at HY4543 : Tuquoy: Cross Kirk, a view cunningly avoiding the most conspicuous of the renovation work, although a couple of scaffold poles are visible.
Tuquoy: looking through the church arch A view through the arch of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2630796">HY4543 : Tuquoy: Cross Kirk</a>, with the renovation work currently underway behind us. The tops of the gravestones can be seen over the east wall of the church, with the Rapness part of Westray across the other side of the Bay of Tuquoy.
Tuquoy: looking through the church arch
A view through the arch of HY4543 : Tuquoy: Cross Kirk, with the renovation work currently underway behind us. The tops of the gravestones can be seen over the east wall of the church, with the Rapness part of Westray across the other side of the Bay of Tuquoy.
Tuquoy: sea view from the church Looking towards the distant island of Rousay from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2630796">HY4543 : Tuquoy: Cross Kirk</a>.
Tuquoy: sea view from the church
Looking towards the distant island of Rousay from HY4543 : Tuquoy: Cross Kirk.
Tuquoy: Kirk Taing Looking across the broad, shallow ledge of rocks to the south of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2630796">HY4543 : Tuquoy: Cross Kirk</a>, on whose churchyard wall we are stood. The wall directly separates the church grounds from the shoreline. The island of Rousay is in the background.
Tuquoy: Kirk Taing
Looking across the broad, shallow ledge of rocks to the south of HY4543 : Tuquoy: Cross Kirk, on whose churchyard wall we are stood. The wall directly separates the church grounds from the shoreline. The island of Rousay is in the background.
Midbea: telephone box Looking diagonally across the B9067 with Fitty Hill in the background.
Midbea: telephone box
Looking diagonally across the B9067 with Fitty Hill in the background.
Westray: Letto Sands At low tide, the broad sandy beach at the head of the Bay of Tuquoy, viewed from the little car park on the road to Midbea.
Westray: Letto Sands
At low tide, the broad sandy beach at the head of the Bay of Tuquoy, viewed from the little car park on the road to Midbea.
Cross-kirk, Tuquoy, Westside, Westray The ruins of a medieval church on Westray. This photo is from the west side of the church.
Cross-kirk, Tuquoy, Westside, Westray
The ruins of a medieval church on Westray. This photo is from the west side of the church.
Bay of Tuquoy, Westray 'Har' coming in from Westray Firth. Har is a Scottish word for sea mist
Bay of Tuquoy, Westray
'Har' coming in from Westray Firth. Har is a Scottish word for sea mist
Cross-kirk at Tuquoy Atmospheric site for the ruin, in its graveyard right at the edge of the shore.
Cross-kirk at Tuquoy
Atmospheric site for the ruin, in its graveyard right at the edge of the shore.
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Whale Sand is located at Grid Ref: HY4543 (Lat: 59.271666, Lng: -2.9546723)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///lateral.escapes.texts. Near Pierowall, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Whale Sand Bakie Ness of Tuquoy

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.271666,-2.9546723
Barrier: stile
Stile: ladder
Lat/Long: 59.2713951/-2.9568661
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Red Rake Lancashire
Jophies Neuk East Lothian

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