Axna Geo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Axna Geo

Vestra Fiold trig pillar
Vestra Fiold trig pillar Credit: John Ferguson

Axna Geo is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, a group of islands off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is characterized by its distinctive headland and point formation, jutting out into the North Sea. The geo is situated on the eastern coast of the island of Mainland, near the village of St. Margaret's Hope.

The headland at Axna Geo is formed by a combination of geological processes, including erosion and weathering. Over time, the relentless action of waves crashing against the cliffs has gradually eroded the softer rock layers, leaving behind a rugged and steep headland. The point extends further into the sea, providing a panoramic view of the surrounding coastline and the vast expanse of the North Sea.

The area around Axna Geo is rich in biodiversity, with a variety of marine and bird species inhabiting the coastal waters and cliffs respectively. Seals can often be spotted resting on the rocks, while sea birds such as fulmars, guillemots, and kittiwakes nest on the cliffs.

Axna Geo is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The dramatic coastal scenery and the opportunity to observe wildlife make it a favorite spot for photography, birdwatching, and coastal walks. Hikers can follow the coastal footpath that leads to the geo, providing breathtaking views along the way.

Overall, Axna Geo in Orkney is a stunning coastal feature, known for its striking headland and point formation, as well as its rich biodiversity. It offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Orkney Islands and experience the power of the North Sea.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Axna Geo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.069907/-3.347916 or Grid Reference HY2221. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Vestra Fiold trig pillar
Vestra Fiold trig pillar
Quoyloo: approaching from the north Looking along the B9056 as it heads down into Quoyloo, with the lofty island of Hoy looming large in the distance.
Quoyloo: approaching from the north
Looking along the B9056 as it heads down into Quoyloo, with the lofty island of Hoy looming large in the distance.
Quoyloo: the shop/post office Like many village stores in the northern isles, Isbister Bros. Ltd. is not just a shop but also a petrol filling station and (weekday mornings) a post office. It is situated on the crossroads on the B9056.
Quoyloo: the shop/post office
Like many village stores in the northern isles, Isbister Bros. Ltd. is not just a shop but also a petrol filling station and (weekday mornings) a post office. It is situated on the crossroads on the B9056.
Quoyloo: postbox № KW16 18 This Elizabeth II-reign postbox is attached to the wall of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2624174">HY2421 : Quoyloo: the shop/post office</a> and is emptied at 10:30 each weekday and Saturday morning.
Quoyloo: postbox № KW16 18
This Elizabeth II-reign postbox is attached to the wall of HY2421 : Quoyloo: the shop/post office and is emptied at 10:30 each weekday and Saturday morning.
Quoyloo: the church A simple, plain Victorian church on one of the back lanes.
Quoyloo: the church
A simple, plain Victorian church on one of the back lanes.
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.
Quarried slabs below Vestra Fiold, Orkney From <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/1923/details/vestrafiold" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/1923/details/vestrafiold">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> : "What is believed to be an ancient quarry from which slabs have been taken for circles and standing stones lies on the S slope of Vestra Fiold; a quarter of a mile N of the farm-house of Breck. Across the shoulder of the hill, in two groups, a large number of massive slabs are still to be seen. In the upper group typical slabs measure 4ft 6in by 3ft 6in and 5ft by 3ft, but in the lower group some are much bigger, three in particular measuring 14ft 9in by 5ft 3in by 6in thick; 18ft 6in by 5ft 6in; 16ft by 6ft. The last mentioned stone appears to have been roughly wedged up as if in readiness for removal."
Quarried slabs below Vestra Fiold, Orkney
From LinkExternal link : "What is believed to be an ancient quarry from which slabs have been taken for circles and standing stones lies on the S slope of Vestra Fiold; a quarter of a mile N of the farm-house of Breck. Across the shoulder of the hill, in two groups, a large number of massive slabs are still to be seen. In the upper group typical slabs measure 4ft 6in by 3ft 6in and 5ft by 3ft, but in the lower group some are much bigger, three in particular measuring 14ft 9in by 5ft 3in by 6in thick; 18ft 6in by 5ft 6in; 16ft by 6ft. The last mentioned stone appears to have been roughly wedged up as if in readiness for removal."
Power lines crossing farmland below Vestra Fiold, Orkney Looking towards Loch of Skaill on the left and Bay of Skaill on the right.  Beyond are the northern cliffs of Hoy.
Power lines crossing farmland below Vestra Fiold, Orkney
Looking towards Loch of Skaill on the left and Bay of Skaill on the right. Beyond are the northern cliffs of Hoy.
Vestra Fiold Thirteenth TuMP of the day with Jim Bloomer and Tricky Speirs on a sunny afternoon.
Name: Vestra Fiold
Hill number: 4928
Height: 129m / 423ft
Parent (Ma/M): 1555  Milldoe - Mid Tooin
Area:23: Orkney Islands
Class: Hu,1
Grid ref: HY 24157 22106
Summit feature:most southerly of two cairns 60m S of trig point
Drop: 110m
Col: 19m  HY274243
Vestra Fiold
Thirteenth TuMP of the day with Jim Bloomer and Tricky Speirs on a sunny afternoon. Name: Vestra Fiold Hill number: 4928 Height: 129m / 423ft Parent (Ma/M): 1555 Milldoe - Mid Tooin Area:23: Orkney Islands Class: Hu,1 Grid ref: HY 24157 22106 Summit feature:most southerly of two cairns 60m S of trig point Drop: 110m Col: 19m HY274243
The Spord sea stack A stormy sea and stack just off West mainland
The Spord sea stack
A stormy sea and stack just off West mainland
Minor road in Scarwell Heading for Dounby.
Minor road in Scarwell
Heading for Dounby.
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.
Isbister Bros This business offers a range of services including shop, post office, filling station and garage for the people of Sandwick.
Isbister Bros
This business offers a range of services including shop, post office, filling station and garage for the people of Sandwick.
Fields near Scarwell Grazing for sheep, with drystane dykes and a view over the Bay of Skaill towards the distant island of Hoy.
Fields near Scarwell
Grazing for sheep, with drystane dykes and a view over the Bay of Skaill towards the distant island of Hoy.
Former Kirk One of numerous redundant kirks now in use as housing. It was originally a United Presbyterian kirk.
Former Kirk
One of numerous redundant kirks now in use as housing. It was originally a United Presbyterian kirk.
House near Quoyloo This isn't Quoyloo House, but a traditional stone house, probably of the late 18th or early 19th century.
House near Quoyloo
This isn't Quoyloo House, but a traditional stone house, probably of the late 18th or early 19th century.
Derelict Cottages One close to the road, the other set back among fields. Perhaps someone will come along and restore them one day before they fall down altogether. One can but hope.
Derelict Cottages
One close to the road, the other set back among fields. Perhaps someone will come along and restore them one day before they fall down altogether. One can but hope.
Ruined Cottages These have gon a bit beyond being merely derelict, and would be a much greater challenge to restore.
Ruined Cottages
These have gon a bit beyond being merely derelict, and would be a much greater challenge to restore.
Show me another place!

Axna Geo is located at Grid Ref: HY2221 (Lat: 59.069907, Lng: -3.347916)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///partners.sprinter.bead. Near Sandwick, Orkney Islands

Related Wikis

Bay of Skaill

The Bay of Skaill (from Old Norse Bugr Skála) is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. == Visitor attractions == Bay of Skaill...

Skara Brae

Skara Brae is a stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, the largest island in the Orkney archipelago...

Skaill House

Skaill House is a historic manor house in Sandwick parish on Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands, Scotland. The house overlooks the neolithic site...

Loch of Skaill

The Loch of Skaill is a small somewhat triangular, freshwater loch in the parish of Sandwick, Orkney on Mainland Orkney, Scotland. It lies 0.5 mi (0.80...

Sandwick, Orkney

Sandwick (Old Norse: Sandvík; Norn: Sandvik) is a parish on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland, 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Stromness.The parish...

RNAS Twatt (HMS Tern)

Royal Naval Air Station Twatt, (RNAS Twatt; or HMS Tern) is a former Royal Navy Air Station located near Twatt, Orkney, Scotland. It was built by the Admiralty...

Broch of Borwick

The Broch of Borwick is an Iron Age broch located on Mainland, Orkney, Scotland (grid reference HY22411678). It is a scheduled monument. == Location... ==

RAF Skeabrae

Royal Air Force Skeabrae, or more simply RAF Skeabrae, is a former Royal Air Force station located in Orkney, Mainland, United Kingdom. == History == The...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.069907,-3.347916
Generator Method: wind_turbine
Generator Source: wind
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.0696837/-3.3397905
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0663267/-3.3427643
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0666184/-3.3424493
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0669672/-3.3420741
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0673185/-3.3417035
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0676697/-3.3413352
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0680043/-3.3399848
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Axna Geo?

Leave your review of Axna Geo below (or comments, questions and feedback).