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Hole o' Row

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Hole o' Row

Well on farmland, Northdyke, Orkney The well is shown on the OS 1:25,000 map. The stile is on the coastal footpath which runs the length of mainland Orkney's west coast.
Well on farmland, Northdyke, Orkney Credit: Claire Pegrum

Hole o' Row is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, an archipelago in northern Scotland. Situated on the western coast of Mainland Orkney, this headland juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding seascape.

The name "Hole o' Row" is derived from the Old Norse term "hólar," meaning a depression or hollow, and "rá," which refers to a rough sea. This name aptly characterizes the coastal feature, as it is known for its rugged and rocky terrain.

The headland is composed of towering cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea, creating a striking natural spectacle. These cliffs are carved with intricate patterns formed by years of erosion from the relentless waves. Visitors to Hole o' Row can witness this powerful process in action, as the waves crash against the cliffs, sending sprays of seawater into the air.

The area surrounding Hole o' Row is teeming with diverse marine life, making it a popular spot for birdwatching and wildlife enthusiasts. Here, visitors can catch glimpses of various seabirds, such as puffins, guillemots, and fulmars, nesting on the cliffs or gliding through the air.

In addition to its natural beauty, Hole o' Row holds historical significance. The headland is believed to have served as a lookout point during ancient times, providing a strategic vantage for monitoring the surrounding waters for potential threats.

Overall, Hole o' Row is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the raw power of the ocean and offers a glimpse into the rich natural and historical heritage of Orkney.

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Hole o' Row Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.05067/-3.3521307 or Grid Reference HY2218. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Well on farmland, Northdyke, Orkney The well is shown on the OS 1:25,000 map. The stile is on the coastal footpath which runs the length of mainland Orkney's west coast.
Well on farmland, Northdyke, Orkney
The well is shown on the OS 1:25,000 map. The stile is on the coastal footpath which runs the length of mainland Orkney's west coast.
Fields at Northdyke The ground rises gently from the Bay of Skaill, providing good grazing.
Fields at Northdyke
The ground rises gently from the Bay of Skaill, providing good grazing.
Skara Brae - 1979 Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten clustered houses, and was occupied from roughly 3180 BC–2500 BC. Europe's most complete Neolithic village, Skara Brae gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status as one of four sites comprising "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney." Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, it has been called the "Scottish Pompeii" because of its excellent preservation.
Skara Brae - 1979
Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten clustered houses, and was occupied from roughly 3180 BC–2500 BC. Europe's most complete Neolithic village, Skara Brae gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status as one of four sites comprising "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney." Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, it has been called the "Scottish Pompeii" because of its excellent preservation.
Skara Brae - 1979 Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten clustered houses, and was occupied from roughly 3180 BC–2500 BC. Europe's most complete Neolithic village, Skara Brae gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status as one of four sites comprising "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney." Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, it has been called the "Scottish Pompeii" because of its excellent preservation.
Skara Brae - 1979
Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten clustered houses, and was occupied from roughly 3180 BC–2500 BC. Europe's most complete Neolithic village, Skara Brae gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status as one of four sites comprising "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney." Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, it has been called the "Scottish Pompeii" because of its excellent preservation.
Bay of Skaill - 1979 The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill - 1979
The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill - 1979 The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill - 1979
The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill - 1979 Bay of Skaill and Knowe of Verron seen from Skara Brae. The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill - 1979
Bay of Skaill and Knowe of Verron seen from Skara Brae. The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.
Bay of Skaill Looking across the Bay from its rocky west end.
Bay of Skaill
Looking across the Bay from its rocky west end.
Bay of Skaill Balanced stones on the shore. Natural rock arch just visible in distant headland.
Bay of Skaill
Balanced stones on the shore. Natural rock arch just visible in distant headland.
Bay of Skaill Waves breaking onto the sandy beach below Skara Brae.
Bay of Skaill
Waves breaking onto the sandy beach below Skara Brae.
Skara Brae: Bay of Skaill beach Looking along the beach from above the Skara Brae archaeological site. Someone has created a shapely pillar of stones in the foreground.
Skara Brae: Bay of Skaill beach
Looking along the beach from above the Skara Brae archaeological site. Someone has created a shapely pillar of stones in the foreground.
Skara Brae: one of the houses A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, we look across one of the houses, with typical central hearth and a few rooms and stone furniture surrounding it. Skaill Bay is in the background.
Skara Brae: one of the houses
A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, we look across one of the houses, with typical central hearth and a few rooms and stone furniture surrounding it. Skaill Bay is in the background.
Skara Brae: earthworks A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here we look across the site, towards Skaill Bay, with one of the passageways of the village in the foreground.
Skara Brae: earthworks
A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here we look across the site, towards Skaill Bay, with one of the passageways of the village in the foreground.
Skara Brae: one house and a bay view A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, we look towards Skaill Bay across one of the dwellings at the western edge of the site.
Skara Brae: one house and a bay view
A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, we look towards Skaill Bay across one of the dwellings at the western edge of the site.
Skara Brae: westernmost house A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. This is the most westerly house, displayed particularly intact, with the hearth as the typical centrepiece and stone furniture and various small rooms surrounding it. The southern shore of the Bay of Skaill is in the background.
Skara Brae: westernmost house
A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. This is the most westerly house, displayed particularly intact, with the hearth as the typical centrepiece and stone furniture and various small rooms surrounding it. The southern shore of the Bay of Skaill is in the background.
Skara Brae: inside a Neolithic house Skara Brae is a truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, by the visitor centre a short distance from the site itself, a simulation dwelling has been reconstructed to give an impression of what the house would have been like in its original, covered state. We are looking through the doorway and see in front of us the central hearth, with a stone cupboard facing us.
Skara Brae: inside a Neolithic house
Skara Brae is a truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, by the visitor centre a short distance from the site itself, a simulation dwelling has been reconstructed to give an impression of what the house would have been like in its original, covered state. We are looking through the doorway and see in front of us the central hearth, with a stone cupboard facing us.
Gateway to Skaill House The house dates back to the 17th century. Extensive alterations were made during the 1950s and the parts that are open to the public reflect that era.
Gateway to Skaill House
The house dates back to the 17th century. Extensive alterations were made during the 1950s and the parts that are open to the public reflect that era.
Bay of Skaill The Bay of Skaill,Orkney taken from the Neolithic site of Skara Brae.
Bay of Skaill
The Bay of Skaill,Orkney taken from the Neolithic site of Skara Brae.
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Hole o' Row is located at Grid Ref: HY2218 (Lat: 59.05067, Lng: -3.3521307)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///loosed.samples.dwarf. Near Sandwick, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Ward Hill Yettna Geo Row Head Hellia Gibb Hole o' Row Skara Brae

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