Point of Nichol's Croo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Point of Nichol's Croo

Point of Nichol's Croo is a prominent coastal feature located on the island of Orkney, Scotland. Situated on the western coast of the island, it is a headland that juts out into the North Atlantic Ocean. The point offers breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline and is known for its rugged and dramatic cliffs that drop steeply into the sea.

At around 100 meters high, the cliffs of Point of Nichol's Croo are composed of sandstone and are a popular attraction for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The area is home to a diverse range of bird species, including fulmars, kittiwakes, and guillemots, making it a haven for birdwatchers.

The point itself is accessible via a well-maintained footpath that winds its way along the cliff edge, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the area's natural beauty up close. The path offers stunning panoramic views of the sea, with the possibility of spotting seals or even whales in the distance.

Point of Nichol's Croo also holds historical significance, with the remains of a World War II radar station still visible on the headland. This serves as a reminder of Orkney's strategic importance during the war and is of interest to history buffs and those interested in military architecture.

Overall, Point of Nichol's Croo is a captivating coastal feature that showcases Orkney's natural beauty, wildlife, and historical significance. It offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the stunning coastal landscapes and explore the area's rich heritage.

Show me another place!

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

Point of Nichol's Croo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.112165/-3.003949 or Grid Reference HY4225. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Wyre: Cubbie Rooâs Castle

The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, Cubbie Roo's Castle was built around 1145 by a Norwegian named Kolbein Hrúga. It is thought to have consisted of a square tower in the centre of this large mound, with various banks and ditches which are clearly in evidence today. The castle is actually named after an Orkney giant, Cobbie Row or Cubbie Roo, who abounds in folklore hereabouts - for example, some standing and horizontal stones were said to have been thrown by Cubbie Roo. It is easy to see the similarity between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cobbie Row (or Cubbie Roo) - it is thought, but by no means with universal agreement, that the name of the real-life Kolbein Hrúga somehow morphed into that of a folklore giant over the 500 years following Kolbein's lifetime. (Hrúga is Norse for 'heap', so he was probably a big man.) For those interested, the following article is a piece disputing the link between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cubbie Roo, despite the lexical similarity: Link

Chris Downer

Wyre: arriving at Cubbie Rooâs Castle

The visitor to the castle arrives from the southeast and is presented with this information board, although there is another, more modern and more in-depth, board nearby too. It is inscribed with the alternate spelling, Cobbie Row. The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle was built around 1145 by a Norwegian named Kolbein Hrúga. It is thought to have consisted of a square tower in the centre of this large mound, with various banks and ditches which are clearly in evidence today. The castle is actually named after an Orkney giant, Cobbie Row or Cubbie Roo, who abounds in folklore hereabouts - for example, some standing and horizontal stones were said to have been thrown by Cubbie Roo. It is easy to see the similarity between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cobbie Row (or Cubbie Roo) - it is thought, but by no means with universal agreement, that the name of the real-life Kolbein Hrúga somehow morphed into that of a folklore giant over the 500 years following Kolbein's lifetime. (Hrúga is Norse for 'heap', so he was probably a big man.) For those interested, the following article is a piece disputing the link between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cubbie Roo, despite the lexical similarity: Link

Rousay is in the background.

Chris Downer

Wyre: looking into Cubbie Rooâs Castle

The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle was built around 1145 by a Norwegian named Kolbein Hrúga. It is thought to have consisted of a square tower in the centre of this large mound, with various banks and ditches which are clearly in evidence today. The foot of the tower contained a water tank which we see below us. The castle entrance would have been on the first floor, probably accessed by a wooden staircase. The castle is actually named after an Orkney giant, Cobbie Row or Cubbie Roo, who abounds in folklore hereabouts - for example, some standing and horizontal stones were said to have been thrown by Cubbie Roo. It is easy to see the similarity between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cobbie Row (or Cubbie Roo) - it is thought, but by no means with universal agreement, that the name of the real-life Kolbein Hrúga somehow morphed into that of a folklore giant over the 500 years following Kolbein's lifetime. (Hrúga is Norse for 'heap', so he was probably a big man.) For those interested, the following article is a piece disputing the link between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cubbie Roo, despite the lexical similarity: Link

Rousay is in the background.

Chris Downer

Wyre: Cubbie Rooâs Castle and part of its ditch

The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle was built around 1145 by a Norwegian named Kolbein Hrúga. It is thought to have consisted of a square tower in the centre of this large mound, with various banks and ditches which are clearly in evidence today. The castle is actually named after an Orkney giant, Cobbie Row or Cubbie Roo, who abounds in folklore hereabouts - for example, some standing and horizontal stones were said to have been thrown by Cubbie Roo. It is easy to see the similarity between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cobbie Row (or Cubbie Roo) - it is thought, but by no means with universal agreement, that the name of the real-life Kolbein Hrúga somehow morphed into that of a folklore giant over the 500 years following Kolbein's lifetime. (Hrúga is Norse for 'heap', so he was probably a big man.) For those interested, the following article is a piece disputing the link between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cubbie Roo, despite the lexical similarity: Link

In the background, left of the castle we see the island of Egilasy, to the right Eday, and a tip of Rousay just sneaks into the left-hand edge of the picture.

Chris Downer

Wyre: information board at Cubbie Rooâs Castle

The information board in front of us is more detailed than the older one which the visitor first sees (HY4426 : Wyre: arriving at Cubbie Roo’s Castle), and gives a good artist's impression of what the castle may have looked like. Its title gives the alternative spelling, Cobbie Row. The earliest documented stone-built castle in Scotland, HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle was built around 1145 by a Norwegian named Kolbein Hrúga. It is thought to have consisted of a square tower in the centre of this large mound, with various banks and ditches which are clearly in evidence today. The castle is actually named after an Orkney giant, Cobbie Row or Cubbie Roo, who abounds in folklore hereabouts - for example, some standing and horizontal stones were said to have been thrown by Cubbie Roo. It is easy to see the similarity between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cobbie Row (or Cubbie Roo) - it is thought, but by no means with universal agreement, that the name of the real-life Kolbein Hrúga somehow morphed into that of a folklore giant over the 500 years following Kolbein's lifetime. (Hrúga is Norse for 'heap', so he was probably a big man.) For those interested, the following article is a piece disputing the link between the names Kolbein Hrúga and Cubbie Roo, despite the lexical similarity: Link

Rousay is in the background.

Chris Downer

Wyre: St. Maryâs chapel

A 12th-century chapel close to HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle, with surrounding burial ground. We are standing in the modern-day burial ground, which is of a similar size to the enclosed churchyard.

Chris Downer

Wyre: stile between St. Maryâs chapel and Cubbie Rooâs Castle

I am not sure whether this quite fits the definition of 'stile' but it is the crossing point of the churchyard wall on the route from HY4426 : Wyre: St. Mary’s chapel to HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle.

Chris Downer

Wyre: St. Maryâs chapel from Cubbie Rooâs Castle

Looking back at HY4426 : Wyre: St. Mary’s chapel from HY4426 : Wyre: Cubbie Roo’s Castle. In the distance, the face of Rothiesholm Head on Stronsay is recognisable - there are plenty of closer islands but the line of sight happens to go between them.

Chris Downer

Boats in Rousay

stalked

Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre

The remains of the oldest medieval castle in Scotland, built about 1145 by the Norse chieftain Kolbein Hrugar. Tower was originally 8m square, and surrounded by defensive earthworks.

M J Richardson

Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre

The remains of the oldest medieval castle in Scotland, built about 1145 by the Norse chieftain Kolbein Hrugar. The tower was originally 8m square, and surrounded by defensive earthworks.

M J Richardson

Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre

The remains of the oldest medieval castle in Scotland, built about 1145 by the Norse chieftain Kolbein Hrugar. The tower was originally 8m square, and surrounded by defensive earthworks.

M J Richardson

Noust, Wyre, Orkney

Looking west towards Orkney Mainland.

Claire Pegrum

Cubbie Roo's Castle, Wyre

Cubbie Roo's Castle (at centre of picture) and St. Mary's Chapel (HY 442262; at bottom of picture)

Ingeborg Lechner and Robert Vucsina

The Taing, Wyre, Orkney

Looking towards Orkney Mainland.

Claire Pegrum

Ditch, Wyre, Orkney

Looking towards the island of Gairsay with Orkney Mainland behind. The ruined building by the shore can be seen at HY4325 : Noust, Wyre, Orkney.

Claire Pegrum

St Mary's Chapel

St. Mary's Chapel (also St. Peter's Chapel, or Peter's Kirk) is a ruined church on the Orkney island of Wyre . It lies on the Rousay facing side of the island, at the foot of the hill, stands on the Cubbie Roo's Castle. The rectangular building dates from the middle or the second half of the 12th century. The chapel could from that in the Orkney Inga Saga mentioned Kolbein Hrúga (Cubbie Roo), the 1142 of Sunnfjord in Norway came to Orkney, or have been, erected by his son Bjarni, who was in 1188 the bishop of the Orkneys. The Romanesque nave measures 5.85 × 3.95 m. It has a round-arched west door and an arch at the transition to the chorus , which measures 2.4 x 2.2 m. Destroyed since 1791, it was cleared and rebuilt in the late 19th century at the behest of General Burroughs. The built of local stone walls were built with lime mortar, are nearly complete and about 2.4 m high. The building was plastered inside and out.

Rude Health