Stennigar

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Stennigar

Road junctions above Stromness The hill in the background is Brinkies Brae.
Road junctions above Stromness Credit: David Medcalf

Stennigar is a coastal feature located in Orkney, a group of islands situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is specifically classified as a headland or point, jutting out into the North Sea. Stennigar is positioned on the western coast of the island of Westray, one of the largest islands in the Orkney archipelago.

This headland is known for its striking cliffs, which rise steeply from the sea, offering magnificent views of the surrounding coastline and the vast expanse of the North Sea. The cliffs are composed of rugged sandstone and shale, displaying layers of sedimentary rock that have formed over millions of years.

Stennigar is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. The headland is home to a diverse range of seabird species, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars. Visitors can spot these fascinating birds nesting and fishing along the cliffs during the breeding season.

The surrounding area of Stennigar is rich in natural beauty, with lush green fields and rolling hills extending toward the interior of Westray. The headland is also known for its wildflowers, which bloom in vibrant colors during the spring and summer months.

Access to Stennigar is relatively easy, with a public footpath leading to the headland from the nearby village of Pierowall. The path offers a scenic walk, passing through fields and coastal meadows before reaching the cliffs. Stennigar provides a peaceful and picturesque spot for visitors to appreciate the raw and unspoiled beauty of Orkney's coastal landscape.

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Stennigar Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.961886/-3.3410361 or Grid Reference HY2209. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Road junctions above Stromness The hill in the background is Brinkies Brae.
Road junctions above Stromness
The hill in the background is Brinkies Brae.
Fields above Stromness Looking towards Hoy.
Fields above Stromness
Looking towards Hoy.
Looking down Croval Road
Looking down Croval Road
Animal trap and sea defences, Warebeth, Orkney The trap is one of nearly 6,000 deployed by the Orkney Native Wildlife Project across Orkney Mainland and the linked southern isles. The objective of the project is to eradicate the non-native stoat, which was first reported on the islands in 2010, in order to protect ground-nesting birds and the Orkney vole.

The sea defences protect Warebeth (also known as Warbeth) cemetery and the possibly medieval  remains of a chapel within it.
Animal trap and sea defences, Warebeth, Orkney
The trap is one of nearly 6,000 deployed by the Orkney Native Wildlife Project across Orkney Mainland and the linked southern isles. The objective of the project is to eradicate the non-native stoat, which was first reported on the islands in 2010, in order to protect ground-nesting birds and the Orkney vole. The sea defences protect Warebeth (also known as Warbeth) cemetery and the possibly medieval remains of a chapel within it.
Standing stones, Warebeth, Orkney From <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1568/leafea" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1568/leafea">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> : "These are two squared sandstone blocks 4 feet apart, their bases each earthfast in a heap of small stones. The larger is nearly 4 feet high, 2 feet 9 inches wide and 3½ inches thick; the smaller 3 feet 3 inches high, 2 feet 3 inches wide and 3¾ inches thick. The major axis of each is aligned N and S. At their bases are two granite boulders probably not associated with the monument, although the larger boulder now broken, once stood between the blocks with its axis E and W. The stones are perhaps the remnant of some larger construction, but not a circular setting. Allegedly human bones were unearthed by a dog at the bases of the stones."
Standing stones, Warebeth, Orkney
From LinkExternal link : "These are two squared sandstone blocks 4 feet apart, their bases each earthfast in a heap of small stones. The larger is nearly 4 feet high, 2 feet 9 inches wide and 3½ inches thick; the smaller 3 feet 3 inches high, 2 feet 3 inches wide and 3¾ inches thick. The major axis of each is aligned N and S. At their bases are two granite boulders probably not associated with the monument, although the larger boulder now broken, once stood between the blocks with its axis E and W. The stones are perhaps the remnant of some larger construction, but not a circular setting. Allegedly human bones were unearthed by a dog at the bases of the stones."
Noust of Nethertown, Orkney Looking along Hoy Sound between Orkney Mainland and Graemsay.
Noust of Nethertown, Orkney
Looking along Hoy Sound between Orkney Mainland and Graemsay.
No dogs - A path into Stromness cemetery This takes me back to when I was a young sprog working with a respected mentor and colleague, Dave Hunter. Dave was from Sutherland and one day he informed me that "there are no dogs in Sutherland". "Why's that Dave?" I naively asked. "No trees!" came the laconic reply.
No dogs - A path into Stromness cemetery
This takes me back to when I was a young sprog working with a respected mentor and colleague, Dave Hunter. Dave was from Sutherland and one day he informed me that "there are no dogs in Sutherland". "Why's that Dave?" I naively asked. "No trees!" came the laconic reply.
Shore at Noust of Nethertown
Shore at Noust of Nethertown
Looking towards Hoy from Warebeth
Looking towards Hoy from Warebeth
Warbeth (Stromness) Cemetery Link suggested by Stanley Howe: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst11441.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst11441.html">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>
Warbeth (Stromness) Cemetery
Link suggested by Stanley Howe: LinkExternal link
A view towards the ruin of Breckness House Some serious fencing work has been carried out here recently. Barbed and mesh fencing has been constructed along the edge of the beach and it appears to be no longer possible to access the ruin, all walkers being forced onto the beach, which I understand is impassable around the headland at most states of the tide. I don't know how this sits with the Scottish open access laws but it seems a great shortcoming of the local council not to come to an arrangement with the landowner in order to provide suitable walking around the coast, rather than giving the impression that visitors are definitely NOT WELCOME!
A view towards the ruin of Breckness House
Some serious fencing work has been carried out here recently. Barbed and mesh fencing has been constructed along the edge of the beach and it appears to be no longer possible to access the ruin, all walkers being forced onto the beach, which I understand is impassable around the headland at most states of the tide. I don't know how this sits with the Scottish open access laws but it seems a great shortcoming of the local council not to come to an arrangement with the landowner in order to provide suitable walking around the coast, rather than giving the impression that visitors are definitely NOT WELCOME!
A view towards Hoy from Warebeth
A view towards Hoy from Warebeth
Footpath along Stennigor The ruin at Breck Ness is seen on the horizon.
Footpath along Stennigor
The ruin at Breck Ness is seen on the horizon.
Cemetery west of Stromness Black Craigs in the background.
Cemetery west of Stromness
Black Craigs in the background.
Point of Spoil, Breck Ness, Orkney Looking towards Black Craig.

This rocky tip is the only land which lies within the grid square.
Point of Spoil, Breck Ness, Orkney
Looking towards Black Craig. This rocky tip is the only land which lies within the grid square.
Point of Spoil, Breck Ness, Orkney Looking towards the Kame of Hoy.

This rocky tip is the only land which lies within the grid square.
Point of Spoil, Breck Ness, Orkney
Looking towards the Kame of Hoy. This rocky tip is the only land which lies within the grid square.
Farmland above Stromness
Farmland above Stromness
Country near Ness Battery The cliffs of Hoy are in the distance.
Country near Ness Battery
The cliffs of Hoy are in the distance.
Show me another place!

Stennigar is located at Grid Ref: HY2209 (Lat: 58.961886, Lng: -3.3410361)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///lecturing.modem.stores. Near Stromness, Orkney Islands

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.961886,-3.3410361
Standing Stones (Prehistoric)
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 58.963726/-3.3395063
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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