Point of Hellia

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Point of Hellia

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

Point of Hellia, located in Orkney, Scotland, is an impressive coastal feature that boasts a picturesque headland and a prominent point jutting out into the North Sea. Situated on the east coast of Mainland Orkney, this natural formation offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and the vast ocean.

The headland at Point of Hellia is characterized by towering cliffs that have been shaped by the relentless power of the sea over thousands of years. These cliffs reach impressive heights, providing a dramatic backdrop to the crashing waves below. The rocky terrain and rugged coastline make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

At the tip of the headland, the point itself is a prominent feature, extending into the North Sea and offering a panoramic view of the surrounding waters. The point is often buffeted by strong winds, adding to the sense of drama and natural beauty of the area. During low tide, visitors can explore the rock pools and admire the diverse marine life that inhabit the area.

Point of Hellia is also known for its rich history, with archaeological remains dating back thousands of years. The nearby Brough of Birsay, an ancient Pictish and Norse settlement, adds to the historical significance of the area.

Overall, Point of Hellia in Orkney is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the raw beauty of nature and offers a glimpse into the rich history of the region.

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Point of Hellia Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.115377/-2.9544252 or Grid Reference HY4525. 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.

Chris Downer

Approaching Wyre

stalked

Derelict building

The solid stone flag roof has collapsed, but the walls are still fine. I've a shed in my garden in a worse condition than this.

Ian Balcombe

Wyre: ferry and post ladies swap sacks

The first ferry of the day has just arrived at Wyre and this brings not only paying customers (actually, I was the only one) but also the day's post. (See HY4022 : Tingwall: the day’s post heads for Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre). Here we see the ferry lady handing the delivery to the island's postmistress and being handed in return the outgoing mail to be taken to the mainland and its onward journey.

Chris Downer

Wyre: the island from the air

Looking across the island of Egilsay (bottom) towards Wyre, from a flight from Westray to Kirkwall airport.

Chris Downer

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

Fence, Wyre, Orkney

The OS 1:25,000 map (as viewed on Get a Map 7/6/12) shows the fence to end at the edge of the field behind. However, as shown, it continues across the shore.

Claire Pegrum

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Point of Hellia is located at Grid Ref: HY4525 (Lat: 59.115377, Lng: -2.9544252)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands