Lessy Sound

Sea, Estuary, Creek in Orkney

Scotland

Lessy Sound

Lessy Sound is a prominent geographical feature located in the Orkney Islands, an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is classified as a sea, estuary, and creek, as it encompasses various characteristics of all three.

Stretching approximately 5 kilometers in length, Lessy Sound is a narrow body of water that separates the islands of Shapinsay and Stronsay. Its depth varies, with the deepest parts reaching around 40 meters. The sound is known for its strong tidal currents, which can be challenging to navigate, making it a popular spot for experienced sailors and boating enthusiasts.

Lessy Sound serves as an important estuary, as it receives freshwater inputs from several small rivers and streams, including the Kirbister Burn and the Mill Burn. This influx of freshwater creates a unique and diverse ecosystem, supporting a wide range of marine life. The sound is home to various species of fish, including cod, haddock, and herring, which attract commercial fishing activities.

The sound also acts as a creek, providing a sheltered area for small boats and fishing vessels. Its calm and protected waters make it an ideal spot for recreational activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and birdwatching. The surrounding coastline features picturesque cliffs and sandy beaches, offering stunning views of the sound and its surrounding islands.

Overall, Lessy Sound is a significant geographical feature in Orkney, serving as a vital waterway, estuary, and creek, supporting a diverse ecosystem, and providing opportunities for both commercial and recreational activities.

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Lessy Sound Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.355672/-2.8763719 or Grid Reference HY5052. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Walking on Papa Westray

stalked

Swans on the Shore

Usually you see swans on fresh water, but these ones were exploring the shore. These are dipping strata of the Middle Old Red Sandstone that makes up most of Orkney, even though they are not at all red in colour. Most of the land in this square is on the Holm of Papa, a small offshore island, the tip of which can be seen at upper right in this view.

Anne Burgess

Remains of a Fence

The stile for crossing the fence is still standing, but the fence it used to cross has gone.

Anne Burgess

Zigzag Rocks

I assume that the sea, having detached parts of the bedrock, has flipped the loose slabs over so that they are lying at an angle to the bedrock. I could have examined them more closely to test this hypothesis, but we were anxious to get to the pier in good time for our ferry, and my walking companion is not interested in geology and would have demurred.

Anne Burgess

Two Ponies

Two ponies in a field above the beach with a distant view towards Hundland.

Rude Health

Loch of Ness

The Loch of Ness and the bay of North Wick beyond, on Papay (Papa Westray), Orkney.

Shirley Grant

Bay of Burland, Papa Westray

Looking south to the abandoned buildings at Blossom.

Rob Burke

Mill Point, Papa Westray

There is the remains of a lade flowing past this ruin, so perhaps this is the mill that gives the point its name.

Rob Burke

Guillemots and razorbills on Fowl Craig

The guillemots are the grey and white birds to the right of the picture. The ledges of the craig provide nest sites for 200 razorbills and 1600 guillemots.

Rob Burke

Razorbill on Fowl Craig, Papa Westray

Only a small part of the craig can be seen from the cliff-top path, but this razorbill obligingly stood at a corner.

Rob Burke

Canoes at the roadside

Overlooking the tidal Loch of the Taing and North Wick on Papa Westray

Lis Burke

House at Hundland

A traditional Papa Westray house, long and low.

Lis Burke

Chambered Cairn Remains

Remains of chambered cairn at the north end of Holm of Papa. In the distance you can just see the impressive Chambered Cairn at the south end of this tiny island and I think the longest chambered cairn in Orkney. There were Fulmars nesting in the stalls of the chambered cairn in the foreground.

Adam Ward