Gunnagairn

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Gunnagairn

Mar Wick bay, Orkney — Mar Wick bay, Orkney Credit: John Ferguson

Gunnagairn is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, an archipelago in the northern part of Scotland. Situated on the eastern side of the main island, Gunnagairn is known for its picturesque headland and point, offering stunning views of the North Sea.

The headland rises dramatically from the surrounding landscape, forming a towering cliff that overlooks the crashing waves below. Its rugged and rocky terrain is a result of years of erosion by the relentless sea, creating a visually striking spectacle. The headland also serves as a nesting site for various seabirds, including puffins, fulmars, and kittiwakes, adding to the area's natural beauty and biodiversity.

Gunnagairn's point extends further into the sea, acting as a natural breakwater against the powerful currents and tides. This point is a popular spot for anglers, who are drawn to its deep waters teeming with fish.

Visitors to Gunnagairn can enjoy breathtaking walks along the cliff tops, taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and neighboring islands. The headland also provides opportunities for rock climbing enthusiasts, with its challenging cliffs attracting climbers from near and far.

Gunnagairn is easily accessible by road, with a parking area and footpaths allowing visitors to explore the area safely. Its natural beauty and diverse wildlife make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts in Orkney.

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Gunnagairn Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.10036/-3.3551169 or Grid Reference HY2224. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Mar Wick bay, Orkney

Mar Wick bay, Orkney

Kitchener Memorial, Orkney

Kitchener Memorial, Orkney

Cliffs at Marwick Head The cliffs here are a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserve, being used for nesting by birds of many species. The tower is the Kitchener Monument.

Cliffs at Marwick Head

The cliffs here are a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserve, being used for nesting by birds of many species. The tower is the Kitchener Monument.

Path to Marwick Head The path leads from the car park at Mid Comloquoy to the cliff edge north of Marwick Head.

Path to Marwick Head

The path leads from the car park at Mid Comloquoy to the cliff edge north of Marwick Head.

Rabbit There&#039;s no shortage of rabbits here, and plenty of evidence of burrows on the cliff tops.

Rabbit

There's no shortage of rabbits here, and plenty of evidence of burrows on the cliff tops.

Cattle at Comloquoy A herd apparently of mixed breeds of cattle.

Cattle at Comloquoy

A herd apparently of mixed breeds of cattle.

Cliffs at Marwick Head The cliffs here are getting on for 100 metres in height.

Cliffs at Marwick Head

The cliffs here are getting on for 100 metres in height.

Kitchener Memorial The memorial is a prominent feature on Marwick Head.

Kitchener Memorial

The memorial is a prominent feature on Marwick Head.

Bird Monitoring Camera The camera is aimed at the nesting seabirds on the cliffs at Marwick Head. Notice how it is weighed down with stones against westerly gales.

Bird Monitoring Camera

The camera is aimed at the nesting seabirds on the cliffs at Marwick Head. Notice how it is weighed down with stones against westerly gales.

Plaque on Kitchener Memorial The plaque on <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7585917">HY2225 : Kitchener Memorial</a> is self-explanatory.

Plaque on Kitchener Memorial

The plaque on HY2225 : Kitchener Memorial is self-explanatory.

Memorial Wall The <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7585917">HY2225 : Kitchener Memorial</a> on Marwick Head originally mentioned only Field Marshal Earl Kitchener by name. This wall, erected only as recently as 2016, finally commemorates 737 other officers and men lost when HMS &#039;Hampshire&#039; was sunk by a mine on 5 June 1916. Only twelve men survived.

Memorial Wall

The HY2225 : Kitchener Memorial on Marwick Head originally mentioned only Field Marshal Earl Kitchener by name. This wall, erected only as recently as 2016, finally commemorates 737 other officers and men lost when HMS 'Hampshire' was sunk by a mine on 5 June 1916. Only twelve men survived.

Photographer and Rabbit The photographer was hoping for photographs of birds, but was, for the moment, targeting a rabbit. We managed to avoid spooking it and I hope he got a good image.

Photographer and Rabbit

The photographer was hoping for photographs of birds, but was, for the moment, targeting a rabbit. We managed to avoid spooking it and I hope he got a good image.

Boundary Marker I assume that the stone is a boundary marker between two properties. In the distance are the cliffs around Yesnaby and, further away, the hills on the island of Hoy.

Boundary Marker

I assume that the stone is a boundary marker between two properties. In the distance are the cliffs around Yesnaby and, further away, the hills on the island of Hoy.

Cliffs at Marwick Head A long line of cliffs makes up Marwick Head, on top of which stands the Kitchener Monument.

Cliffs at Marwick Head

A long line of cliffs makes up Marwick Head, on top of which stands the Kitchener Monument.

Standing Stone by the Path The path starts to descend here from Marwick head to sea level, and the stone is one of several that stand beside it. I don&#039;t think they are ancient.

Standing Stone by the Path

The path starts to descend here from Marwick head to sea level, and the stone is one of several that stand beside it. I don't think they are ancient.

Standing Stones I don&#039;t think these stones are ancient monuments. They are beside the path down from Marwick Head to the beach.

Standing Stones

I don't think these stones are ancient monuments. They are beside the path down from Marwick Head to the beach.

Storm Beach The rock strata on the cliff top have been progressively stripped away by winter storms.

Storm Beach

The rock strata on the cliff top have been progressively stripped away by winter storms.

Dipping Strata On the south side of Marwick Head, with a view south to Yesnaby and the island of Hoy.

Dipping Strata

On the south side of Marwick Head, with a view south to Yesnaby and the island of Hoy.

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Gunnagairn is located at Grid Ref: HY2224 (Lat: 59.10036, Lng: -3.3551169)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///oatmeal.homing.crispier. Near Birsay, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Choldertoo Mar Wick Choldertoo Geo Gunnagairn Minna Geo Skaysan

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.10036,-3.3551169

Parking

Capacity: 3

Parking: surface

Surface: unpaved

Lat/Long: 59.1002617/-3.3488642

Marwick Head

Addr City: Orkney

Addr Postcode: KW17 2NB

Leisure: nature_reserve

Operator: RSPB

Lat/Long: 59.0988345/-3.3469738

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 59.1018065/-3.3490934

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 59.101954/-3.3479886

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

Kirk Geo Orkney

Scarwall Caithness

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