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Sheep Bight

Sea, Estuary, Creek in Orkney

Scotland

Sheep Bight

The Irene Part of the Engine Block from Irene. She was the 'subject' of the gallant rescue attempt by the Longhope Lifeboat Crew, who lost their lives in 1969. See here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://news.stv.tv/scotland/82797-orkney-remembers-longhope-disaster/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://news.stv.tv/scotland/82797-orkney-remembers-longhope-disaster/">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> More here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://theramblinggardener.com/2014/11/28/the-longhope-lifeboat-disaster/comment-page-1/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://theramblinggardener.com/2014/11/28/the-longhope-lifeboat-disaster/comment-page-1/">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> and this <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1066362">ND3389 : Longhope Lifeboat Memorial</a>
The Irene Credit: Derek Mayes

Sheep Bight is a picturesque sea inlet located on the northeastern coast of Orkney, a group of islands in Scotland. Nestled between the larger islands of Mainland and Shapinsay, Sheep Bight is a tranquil estuary that forms a natural harbor for small fishing boats and pleasure craft.

The bight is characterized by its calm waters, sheltered from the open sea by a narrow entrance. This makes it an ideal spot for boating and sailing enthusiasts, as well as a popular destination for kayaking and paddleboarding. The surrounding cliffs and rolling hills provide a stunning backdrop, offering visitors breathtaking views of the Orkney landscape.

Sheep Bight is also renowned for its rich wildlife. The waters teem with diverse marine life, including seals, otters, and a variety of seabirds such as guillemots and puffins. During low tide, the exposed mudflats attract wading birds like oystercatchers and curlews, adding to the area's biodiversity.

The bight is easily accessible by road, with a small parking area nearby for visitors. There are also walking trails that meander along the coastline, allowing visitors to explore the area on foot and take in the natural beauty at their own pace.

For those seeking a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature, Sheep Bight is an idyllic destination. Its tranquil waters, diverse wildlife, and stunning scenery make it a must-visit location for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

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Sheep Bight Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.816187/-2.8832181 or Grid Reference ND4992. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Irene Part of the Engine Block from Irene. She was the 'subject' of the gallant rescue attempt by the Longhope Lifeboat Crew, who lost their lives in 1969. See here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://news.stv.tv/scotland/82797-orkney-remembers-longhope-disaster/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://news.stv.tv/scotland/82797-orkney-remembers-longhope-disaster/">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> More here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://theramblinggardener.com/2014/11/28/the-longhope-lifeboat-disaster/comment-page-1/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://theramblinggardener.com/2014/11/28/the-longhope-lifeboat-disaster/comment-page-1/">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> and this <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1066362">ND3389 : Longhope Lifeboat Memorial</a>
The Irene
Part of the Engine Block from Irene. She was the 'subject' of the gallant rescue attempt by the Longhope Lifeboat Crew, who lost their lives in 1969. See here LinkExternal link More here LinkExternal link and this ND3389 : Longhope Lifeboat Memorial
Fields near Lime Banks
Fields near Lime Banks
The B9044 heading for South Cara
The B9044 heading for South Cara
Minor road at South Cara Near the easternmost point of South Ronaldsay.
Minor road at South Cara
Near the easternmost point of South Ronaldsay.
Grimness View ENE from near the road to Dyke-end farm, in the Grimness area of South Ronaldsay, showing grassland running down to Grim Ness itself.
Grimness
View ENE from near the road to Dyke-end farm, in the Grimness area of South Ronaldsay, showing grassland running down to Grim Ness itself.
Curlew on farmland at Grimness Looking towards Brecks farmhouse in the distance
Curlew on farmland at Grimness
Looking towards Brecks farmhouse in the distance
Honeysgeo Farmstead of Honeysgeo and little bay east coast of South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Honeysgeo
Farmstead of Honeysgeo and little bay east coast of South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Sea Pink Armeria Maritima, also known as Sea Pink or Thrift on the foreshore at the headland of Grim Ness, South Ronaldsay, Orkney
Sea Pink
Armeria Maritima, also known as Sea Pink or Thrift on the foreshore at the headland of Grim Ness, South Ronaldsay, Orkney
Shags, Grim Ness I was reliably informed that these were Shags rather than Cormorants, though they are very hard to tell apart. There were hundreds of them on the rocks and headland of Grim Ness, South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Shags, Grim Ness
I was reliably informed that these were Shags rather than Cormorants, though they are very hard to tell apart. There were hundreds of them on the rocks and headland of Grim Ness, South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
The Keys The long rock sticking out into the sea is called The Keys and has hundreds of Shags on it as do most of the rocks offshore here. The photograph is taken from Grey Chair and there is Thrift and yellow lichen in the foreground.
The Keys
The long rock sticking out into the sea is called The Keys and has hundreds of Shags on it as do most of the rocks offshore here. The photograph is taken from Grey Chair and there is Thrift and yellow lichen in the foreground.
Head Bay Not actually called anything on any maps, this little bay is near a dwelling called Head. Also in the picture is Skipi Geo, just to the left of the bay. On South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Head Bay
Not actually called anything on any maps, this little bay is near a dwelling called Head. Also in the picture is Skipi Geo, just to the left of the bay. On South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Fulmarus glacialis A couple of Fulmars taking off from the Stack of Kame. The Stack of Kame isn't a proper stack but a narrow - as in a couple of feet wide at the top - headland sticking out into the sea. I was lucky enough to be above them without them realising and snapped them just as they sensed my presence a few feet above.
Fulmarus glacialis
A couple of Fulmars taking off from the Stack of Kame. The Stack of Kame isn't a proper stack but a narrow - as in a couple of feet wide at the top - headland sticking out into the sea. I was lucky enough to be above them without them realising and snapped them just as they sensed my presence a few feet above.
South of Croo Stone. Burray village can be seen beyond the causeway.
South of Croo Stone.
Burray village can be seen beyond the causeway.
Rounding Grim Ness on the northward journey.
Rounding Grim Ness on the northward journey.
Lime Banks to the west of Grim Ness.
Lime Banks to the west of Grim Ness.
Limbo, near Honeygeo
Limbo, near Honeygeo
Grimness, St. Margaret's Hope Taken from behind the Orkney Marine Life Aquarium looking across fields at St. Margaret's Hope. The sea forms a band between land and sky.
Grimness, St. Margaret's Hope
Taken from behind the Orkney Marine Life Aquarium looking across fields at St. Margaret's Hope. The sea forms a band between land and sky.
West Quoy and Manse Taing You can just make out the mound, marked on the 1:25000, in front and slightly left of the lochan.
West Quoy and Manse Taing
You can just make out the mound, marked on the 1:25000, in front and slightly left of the lochan.
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Sheep Bight is located at Grid Ref: ND4992 (Lat: 58.816187, Lng: -2.8832181)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///headsets.fillers.dating. Near St Margaret's Hope, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Orelee Grim Ness Out Hillock Broddebb Sheep Bight Towie Hole

Related Wikis

Grim Ness
Grim Ness

Grimness is a cliff-girt headland on the island of South Ronaldsay, in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland. It is located between Honeysgeo and Skipi Geo...

St Margaret's Hope
St Margaret's Hope

St Margaret's Hope is a village in the Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland. It is known locally as The Hope or The Hup. With a population...

Burray
Burray

Burray () is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. It lies to the east of Scapa Flow and is one of a chain of islands linked by the Churchill Barriers...

South Ronaldsay
South Ronaldsay

South Ronaldsay (, also , Scots: Sooth Ronalshee) is one of the Orkney Islands off the north coast of Scotland. It is linked to the Orkney Mainland by...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.816187,-2.8832181
Grim Ness
Place: locality
Source: OS7
Wikidata: Q12715146
Wikipedia: en:Grim Ness
Lat/Long: 58.8187117/-2.8797017
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
The Washing Tub Orkney
Chapel Pill Somerset

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