Head of Geo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Head of Geo

Wyre: the post office The only retail outlet on the island is the post office, which is housed within an outbuilding of the postmistress&#039;s premises. As well as being one of the nation&#039;s smallest offices, it is reckoned to be the one with the smallest customer base, the island having a population of around 29.

The post office is open 9-11 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Post is collected daily Monday to Saturday at 8:25am as it has to be down at the pier before 9 to catch the first ferry, which also brings the incoming mail.

There has been a post office on the island since 6 July 1885, when it was called Veira; the name Wyre was adopted on 1 October 1933. — Wyre: the post office Credit: Chris Downer

The Head of Geo, Orkney, is a prominent coastal feature located on the northeastern tip of the Mainland, which is the largest island in the Orkney archipelago, situated in northern Scotland. It is classified as a headland or point, characterized by its distinctive shape jutting out into the North Sea.

The Head of Geo is known for its rugged and dramatic landscape, with steep cliffs rising up from the sea to a height of approximately 40 meters. These cliffs are composed of sandstone and are often adorned with grasses and wildflowers, adding a burst of color to the scenery. At the base of the cliffs, rocky shores and small pebble beaches can be found, providing a habitat for various marine life.

The headland offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and the open sea, with the neighboring islands of Shapinsay and Stronsay visible in the distance. On a clear day, it is even possible to catch a glimpse of the Scottish mainland.

Aside from its natural beauty, the Head of Geo also holds historical significance. The remains of ancient settlements and burial sites have been discovered in the vicinity, providing evidence of human occupation dating back thousands of years. This attests to the area's importance as a strategic position for early settlers and its potential as a haven for resources.

Overall, the Head of Geo, Orkney, showcases the rugged beauty and rich history of the Orkney Islands, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and those interested in exploring the region's ancient past.

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Head of Geo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.112603/-2.9854505 or Grid Reference HY4325. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Wyre: the post office

The only retail outlet on the island is the post office, which is housed within an outbuilding of the postmistress's premises. As well as being one of the nation's smallest offices, it is reckoned to be the one with the smallest customer base, the island having a population of around 29. The post office is open 9-11 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Post is collected daily Monday to Saturday at 8:25am as it has to be down at the pier before 9 to catch the first ferry, which also brings the incoming mail. There has been a post office on the island since 6 July 1885, when it was called Veira; the name Wyre was adopted on 1 October 1933.

Chris Downer

Wyre: the pier

The ferry berthing point is directly opposite the one for Rousay, which we see in the background. The ferries from Tingwall, on the Orkney mainland, serve Rousay and Wyre and also Egilsay, to the north.

Chris Downer

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.

Approaching Wyre

Houses on Rousay

Boats in Rousay

Eynhallow arriving at Rousay

Sandy Gerrard

The Eynhallow at Rousay pier

Awaiting the return ferry to Tingwall and a slight feeling of discomfort as the ferry heads out without cars or passengers, but it is only a short return trip to Wyre before loading for Tingwall on the return.

Gordon Hatton