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Wester Sand

Beach in Orkney

Scotland

Wester Sand

Roy, buildings and turbine With the much larger Burray turbine in the distance.
Roy, buildings and turbine Credit: Ian Balcombe

Wester Sand is a picturesque beach located in the Orkney Islands, an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland. With its pristine white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters, it is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. The beach stretches for approximately 2 miles and is situated on the west coast of the island.

The beach is known for its stunning sand dunes, which are constantly shifting due to the strong winds in the area. These dunes provide a unique landscape and serve as a habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. In fact, Wester Sand is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its rich biodiversity.

Visitors to the beach can enjoy a range of activities, including sunbathing, picnicking, and beachcombing. The clear waters also make it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. Additionally, Wester Sand is a popular destination for birdwatchers, as it attracts a wide range of seabirds, such as puffins, gulls, and fulmars.

Access to Wester Sand is relatively easy, with a car park situated nearby. The beach is also well-maintained, with amenities such as restroom facilities and a small café available for visitors. It is important to note that the beach can be quite exposed to the elements, so it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing and sunscreen.

Overall, Wester Sand offers a tranquil and breathtaking coastal experience, showcasing the natural beauty for which the Orkney Islands are renowned.

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Wester Sand Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.891671/-2.8554541 or Grid Reference HY5000. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Roy, buildings and turbine With the much larger Burray turbine in the distance.
Roy, buildings and turbine
With the much larger Burray turbine in the distance.
St Nicholas' Manse, Holm Now a private house, located in an isolated part of Holm, Orkney
St Nicholas' Manse, Holm
Now a private house, located in an isolated part of Holm, Orkney
East Mainland Church Beside the B9052.
East Mainland Church
Beside the B9052.
Hurtiso On the B9052.
Hurtiso
On the B9052.
East Mainland Church
East Mainland Church
Road to Muir of Meil There is an area of moss land beyond the fertile foreground.
Road to Muir of Meil
There is an area of moss land beyond the fertile foreground.
Pasture, Ocklester
Pasture, Ocklester
B9052, Ocklester A good quality road crossing Mainland to the east of Kirkwall.
B9052, Ocklester
A good quality road crossing Mainland to the east of Kirkwall.
Hurtiso farm
Hurtiso farm
Barley field near Greenwall Looking out towards Rose Ness.
Barley field near Greenwall
Looking out towards Rose Ness.
New house at Greenwall The area looks quite populated here.
New house at Greenwall
The area looks quite populated here.
Barley field near Greenwall In the background are Burray, Glimps Holm and Lamb Holm.
Barley field near Greenwall
In the background are Burray, Glimps Holm and Lamb Holm.
Mother with two calves above St Nicholas Kirk
Mother with two calves above St Nicholas Kirk
Howes Wick Sandy bay with that scent of rotting seaweed in the air. Any excitement generated by seeing the words 'Castle Howe' on the map was soon dispelled by the sight of a green mound with a few stones sticking out of the top. [visible centre picture]
Howes Wick
Sandy bay with that scent of rotting seaweed in the air. Any excitement generated by seeing the words 'Castle Howe' on the map was soon dispelled by the sight of a green mound with a few stones sticking out of the top. [visible centre picture]
Wester Sand Not too much evidence of sun kissed sandy beaches here, but plenty of pebbles and slowly rotting seaweed.
Wester Sand
Not too much evidence of sun kissed sandy beaches here, but plenty of pebbles and slowly rotting seaweed.
Farm track off the B9052 Heading north west across pastureland towards Lyking.
Farm track off the B9052
Heading north west across pastureland towards Lyking.
The Italian Chapel, Orkney The Italian prisoners constructed the chapel from limited materials in the form of a tin tabernacle. It comprises two Nissen huts joined end-to-end. They created a façade out of concrete to conceal the shape of the hut and make the building look more like a church.
The Italian Chapel, Orkney
The Italian prisoners constructed the chapel from limited materials in the form of a tin tabernacle. It comprises two Nissen huts joined end-to-end. They created a façade out of concrete to conceal the shape of the hut and make the building look more like a church.
The Italian Chapel (interior) The Italian prisoners constructed the chapel from limited materials in the form of a tin tabernacle. It comprises two Nissen huts joined end-to-end. The corrugated interior was then covered with plasterboard and the altar and altar rail were constructed from concrete left over from work on the barriers. Most of the interior decoration was done by Domenico Chiocchetti, a prisoner from Moena.
The Italian Chapel (interior)
The Italian prisoners constructed the chapel from limited materials in the form of a tin tabernacle. It comprises two Nissen huts joined end-to-end. The corrugated interior was then covered with plasterboard and the altar and altar rail were constructed from concrete left over from work on the barriers. Most of the interior decoration was done by Domenico Chiocchetti, a prisoner from Moena.
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Wester Sand is located at Grid Ref: HY5000 (Lat: 58.891671, Lng: -2.8554541)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///advantage.entrusted.unto. Near Holm, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Bore of Vigga Canniesile Greeni Geo Back Ber Old Noust of Vigga Wester Sand

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.891671,-2.8554541
Generator Method: wind_turbine
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: wind
Generator Type: horizontal_axis
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 58.8942034/-2.8617668
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Generator Method: wind_turbine
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: wind
Generator Type: horizontal_axis
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 58.8937226/-2.8619009
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Cogden Beach Dorset
Sands of Helzie Orkney

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