Sand of the Crook

Beach in Orkney

Scotland

Sand of the Crook

Grochlie Geo, Stronsay, Orkney Looking towards the Point of Freyageo. — Grochlie Geo, Stronsay, Orkney Credit: Claire Pegrum

Sand of the Crook, Orkney, is a picturesque beach located on the northeastern coast of the Orkney Islands, Scotland. This stunning sandy beach stretches for approximately one kilometer and is known for its natural beauty and tranquility.

The beach is surrounded by rugged cliffs and offers breathtaking views of the North Sea. It is accessible via a short walk from the nearby village of Birsay, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The beach is easily recognizable by its golden sand and clear blue waters.

Sand of the Crook is an ideal spot for relaxation and leisurely walks. Visitors can enjoy long strolls along the shoreline, taking in the fresh sea air and listening to the sound of crashing waves. The beach is also a great spot for picnics, sunbathing, and building sandcastles.

Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the abundant birdlife that can be spotted in the area, including gulls, oystercatchers, and terns. Dolphins and seals are also occasionally seen swimming offshore, adding to the charm of the beach.

Visitors should be aware that the beach is exposed to the elements, and the weather can change quickly. It is advisable to check the local weather forecast and dress accordingly. Facilities such as toilets and parking are available nearby in the village of Birsay.

Overall, Sand of the Crook, Orkney, offers a serene and unspoiled coastal experience, perfect for those seeking a peaceful getaway in a truly stunning natural setting.

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Sand of the Crook Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.075223/-2.595236 or Grid Reference HY6521. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Grochlie Geo, Stronsay, Orkney Looking towards the Point of Freyageo.

Grochlie Geo, Stronsay, Orkney

Looking towards the Point of Freyageo.

Langa Mae, Stronsay, Orkney Looking towards Lamb Head.

Langa Mae, Stronsay, Orkney

Looking towards Lamb Head.

Kelp forest, Langa Mae, Stronsay, Orkney Looking towards Lamb Head.

Kelp forest, Langa Mae, Stronsay, Orkney

Looking towards Lamb Head.

Sand of the Crook and ayre, Stronsay, Orkney Behind the ayre (shingle bank) is <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1086440">HY6621 : Lea Shun</a> loch.

Sand of the Crook and ayre, Stronsay, Orkney

Behind the ayre (shingle bank) is HY6621 : Lea Shun loch.

Stronsay: the road to Holland Actually the road FROM Holland in this view.

Stronsay: the road to Holland

Actually the road FROM Holland in this view.

Stronsay: seals at the Bight of Scarma A particularly large number of seals are to be seen along this part of the Stronsay coast - certainly a couple of hundred as we walked along here this afternoon.

Stronsay: seals at the Bight of Scarma

A particularly large number of seals are to be seen along this part of the Stronsay coast - certainly a couple of hundred as we walked along here this afternoon.

Stronsay: seals making a splash Unsettled by our appearance, a large group of seals is roughly halved in size as the other half scarper underwater.

Stronsay: seals making a splash

Unsettled by our appearance, a large group of seals is roughly halved in size as the other half scarper underwater.

Stronsay: two seals As well as some very large groups of seals (see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4713951">HY6521 : Stronsay: seals at the Bight of Scarma</a>), there were a few scattered all along the shore here. They were curious enough to turn their heads as I and another walked past, but on the whole didn&#039;t feel so threatened as to disappear.

Stronsay: two seals

As well as some very large groups of seals (see HY6521 : Stronsay: seals at the Bight of Scarma), there were a few scattered all along the shore here. They were curious enough to turn their heads as I and another walked past, but on the whole didn't feel so threatened as to disappear.

Stronsay: Bight of Scarma A small bay on the east side of Bay of Holland, seen at a low tide with lots of visible rocks. These are awash with seals - see for example <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4713951">HY6521 : Stronsay: seals at the Bight of Scarma</a>.

Stronsay: Bight of Scarma

A small bay on the east side of Bay of Holland, seen at a low tide with lots of visible rocks. These are awash with seals - see for example HY6521 : Stronsay: seals at the Bight of Scarma.

Stronsay: cemetery at Holland A quite large, square, walled cemetery opposite Holland Farm, with a few sheep grazing within.

Stronsay: cemetery at Holland

A quite large, square, walled cemetery opposite Holland Farm, with a few sheep grazing within.

Holland Farm, Stronsay A substantial stone farm in the south of Stronsay with much of its land managed for wildlife.

Holland Farm, Stronsay

A substantial stone farm in the south of Stronsay with much of its land managed for wildlife.

Cemetery at Holland Farm Looking across the cemetery over the Bay of Holland

Cemetery at Holland Farm

Looking across the cemetery over the Bay of Holland

Housebay, Stronsay This farm is built right next to the coast.

Housebay, Stronsay

This farm is built right next to the coast.

Farmland on Stronsay Much of Stronsay is farmland like this.

Farmland on Stronsay

Much of Stronsay is farmland like this.

Bird hide on Lea Shun This hide is on the SNH reserve at Holland Farm. Part of the farm is managed specifically for corncrakes.

Bird hide on Lea Shun

This hide is on the SNH reserve at Holland Farm. Part of the farm is managed specifically for corncrakes.

Seal hide This seal hide is an old submarine telephone cable cabin. It overlooks a small beach where common seals regularly haul out, and where they pup in early summer. The hide is part of the SNH Holland Farm reserve.

Seal hide

This seal hide is an old submarine telephone cable cabin. It overlooks a small beach where common seals regularly haul out, and where they pup in early summer. The hide is part of the SNH Holland Farm reserve.

Snipe by Lea Shun A snipe demonstrates the effectiveness of its camouflage in the wet bog beside Lea Shun, seen from the hide shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/217172">HY6521 : Bird hide on Lea Shun</a>. At time of the photo, male snipe were &quot;drumming&quot; - a remarkable noise produced by vibrating tail feathers during steep dives.

Snipe by Lea Shun

A snipe demonstrates the effectiveness of its camouflage in the wet bog beside Lea Shun, seen from the hide shown in HY6521 : Bird hide on Lea Shun. At time of the photo, male snipe were "drumming" - a remarkable noise produced by vibrating tail feathers during steep dives.

Track from Holland to Mells Kirk Looking westwards along the line of the stone wall. The building on the left horizon is a seal hide!

Track from Holland to Mells Kirk

Looking westwards along the line of the stone wall. The building on the left horizon is a seal hide!

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Sand of the Crook is located at Grid Ref: HY6521 (Lat: 59.075223, Lng: -2.595236)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///myths.deed.loads. Near Whitehall, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Bight of Scarma Sand of the Crook Point of Freyageo Bay of Holland

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.075223,-2.595236

Tor Ness

Place: locality

Source: OS7

Lat/Long: 59.0712849/-2.5974284

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Ayre of the Myres Orkney

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