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Gunnies Geo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Gunnies Geo

Lane towards Breck Lane heading past Breck towards Faraclett and Scockness. A chapel is shown on the map here, but there's nothing resembling such a building amongst those to the right of the road.
Lane towards Breck Credit: Gordon Hatton

Gunnies Geo is a prominent coastal feature located on the Orkney Islands, an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland. This stunning headland is situated on the west coast of the mainland of Orkney, near the village of Stromness. The name "Gunnies Geo" is derived from the Old Norse word "geir," meaning a narrow inlet or cleft.

Gunnies Geo is characterized by its rugged cliffs that plunge dramatically into the North Atlantic Ocean below. This coastal feature boasts impressive geological formations, with layers of sedimentary rocks visible along its vertical walls. These rocks showcase a variety of colors, including hues of red, brown, and grey, providing a visually striking sight for visitors.

At the tip of Gunnies Geo, a distinctive point juts out into the sea, creating a natural vantage point for observing the surrounding coastal landscape. From this viewpoint, one can admire the vast expanse of the ocean, as well as the neighboring islands and distant horizons.

The coastal area surrounding Gunnies Geo is home to an abundance of wildlife. Seabirds such as fulmars, guillemots, and kittiwakes can often be seen nesting on the cliff faces, while seals and occasionally even dolphins can be spotted in the surrounding waters. This makes Gunnies Geo a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

Overall, Gunnies Geo is a captivating coastal feature that beautifully showcases the raw power and stunning beauty of the Orkney Islands' dramatic coastline.

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Gunnies Geo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.17668/-2.9531419 or Grid Reference HY4532. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Lane towards Breck Lane heading past Breck towards Faraclett and Scockness. A chapel is shown on the map here, but there's nothing resembling such a building amongst those to the right of the road.
Lane towards Breck
Lane heading past Breck towards Faraclett and Scockness. A chapel is shown on the map here, but there's nothing resembling such a building amongst those to the right of the road.
Hillside down to the Yetnasteen stone No an easy subject to photograph as access across nearby fields is discouraged. The stone - 'Jotunna-steinn' in old Norse, which simply means 'giant stone' is over 2m high and is said to be a giant who was turned into stone. The giant must still have a thirst as legend says that the stone makes a few strides down the nearby Loch of Scockness at Hogmanay for a drink before returning. I guess that most locals would prefer a rather stronger drink at Hogmanay.
Hillside down to the Yetnasteen stone
No an easy subject to photograph as access across nearby fields is discouraged. The stone - 'Jotunna-steinn' in old Norse, which simply means 'giant stone' is over 2m high and is said to be a giant who was turned into stone. The giant must still have a thirst as legend says that the stone makes a few strides down the nearby Loch of Scockness at Hogmanay for a drink before returning. I guess that most locals would prefer a rather stronger drink at Hogmanay.
Farmstead for superheros? The abandoned farmstead is shown as Pow on the map, but maybe that should read as 'POW!' if owned by a local superhero. Slowly decaying with roofs collapsing and weeds rampant.
Farmstead for superheros?
The abandoned farmstead is shown as Pow on the map, but maybe that should read as 'POW!' if owned by a local superhero. Slowly decaying with roofs collapsing and weeds rampant.
Fields down to the shore A near straight stone wall heads down the hillside towards the bar separating the Loch of Scockness from the sea.
Fields down to the shore
A near straight stone wall heads down the hillside towards the bar separating the Loch of Scockness from the sea.
Cairn on Faraclett Head The half mile or so between this point and the beginning of green fields further east is not a place to hang around during bird breeding season. Half a dozen arctic skuas, nasty characters at the best of times, take it in turns to fly aggressively at any human interloper. A trekking pole raised above the head fends off most attacks.
Cairn on Faraclett Head
The half mile or so between this point and the beginning of green fields further east is not a place to hang around during bird breeding season. Half a dozen arctic skuas, nasty characters at the best of times, take it in turns to fly aggressively at any human interloper. A trekking pole raised above the head fends off most attacks.
North west side of Faraclett Head A path makes a traverse of grassy slopes here, but the immediate coastal views of cliffs are disappointing due to the nature of the ground above. Views along the coast to the west are good.
North west side of Faraclett Head
A path makes a traverse of grassy slopes here, but the immediate coastal views of cliffs are disappointing due to the nature of the ground above. Views along the coast to the west are good.
Two chambered cairns by the path Green humps, shown as chambered cairns on the map, with only the nearer one being within the grid square. The nearby stile marks the way down towards the small parking area to the south of Faraclett farm, but the route is different to that shown on the 1:25000 map as it now heads directly down to the kink in the farm lane above the car park. Some expertise in gymnastics required to climb over two very high and part broken stiles on the way.
Two chambered cairns by the path
Green humps, shown as chambered cairns on the map, with only the nearer one being within the grid square. The nearby stile marks the way down towards the small parking area to the south of Faraclett farm, but the route is different to that shown on the 1:25000 map as it now heads directly down to the kink in the farm lane above the car park. Some expertise in gymnastics required to climb over two very high and part broken stiles on the way.
The minor road near Hurtiso
The minor road near Hurtiso
Looking down the road from the junction below the car park at Faraclett Head
Looking down the road from the junction below the car park at Faraclett Head
View across Faraclett Head
View across Faraclett Head
Tidal pond, Scock Ness, Rousay, Orkney
Tidal pond, Scock Ness, Rousay, Orkney
Bow of Cavequoy, Rousay, Orkney Looking towards Eday.
Bow of Cavequoy, Rousay, Orkney
Looking towards Eday.
Coastline, Egilsay, Orkney Looking towards Smithy Sound and Kili Holm.
Coastline, Egilsay, Orkney
Looking towards Smithy Sound and Kili Holm.
Bay of Ham from the car park at Faraclett
Bay of Ham from the car park at Faraclett
Rousay: looking down to Bigland from above Swartafiold Across the sound lies the small island of the Holm of Scockness and beyond that the larger Egilsay: on the horizon is Eday.
Rousay: looking down to Bigland from above Swartafiold
Across the sound lies the small island of the Holm of Scockness and beyond that the larger Egilsay: on the horizon is Eday.
Coastline, Egilsay, Orkney
Coastline, Egilsay, Orkney
Shoreline, Scock Ness, Rousay, Orkney The water on the left is Ham Bay and the high ground is Blotchnie Fiold to the left and Kierfea Hill to the right.
Shoreline, Scock Ness, Rousay, Orkney
The water on the left is Ham Bay and the high ground is Blotchnie Fiold to the left and Kierfea Hill to the right.
Faraclett Head Parking for 3 cars at the lane end of Faraclett. Then a footpath which aids access to the summit with Chris Bienkowski, Jum Bloomer and Tricky Speirs. Name: Faraclett Head Hill number: 12211 Height: 107m / 351ft Parent (Ma/M): 1553 Blotchnie Fiold Area:23: Orkney Islands Class: 1 Grid ref: HY437330 (est) Drop: 80m Col: 27m HY423326
Faraclett Head
Parking for 3 cars at the lane end of Faraclett. Then a footpath which aids access to the summit with Chris Bienkowski, Jum Bloomer and Tricky Speirs. Name: Faraclett Head Hill number: 12211 Height: 107m / 351ft Parent (Ma/M): 1553 Blotchnie Fiold Area:23: Orkney Islands Class: 1 Grid ref: HY437330 (est) Drop: 80m Col: 27m HY423326
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Gunnies Geo is located at Grid Ref: HY4532 (Lat: 59.17668, Lng: -2.9531419)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///stormy.plankton.tissue. Near Brinian, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Scrimpo Cuthin Geo Tainga Sker Muckle Peat Geo Links of Scockness Axnie Geo

Related Wikis

Holm of Scockness
Holm of Scockness

The Holm of Scockness is a small island in the Orkney Islands, between Rousay and Egilsay. It is currently used for grazing. Its name is Norse in origin...

Rinyo
Rinyo

Rinyo was a Neolithic settlement on Rousay in Orkney, Scotland. The site was discovered in the winter of 1837–38 on the lands of Bigland Farm in the north...

Kili Holm
Kili Holm

Kili Holm is a tidal island in the Orkney Islands, linked to Egilsay. Unusually, like its neighbour Egilsay, it may have a partly Gaelic etymology, in...

St Magnus Church, Egilsay
St Magnus Church, Egilsay

St Magnus's Church is a ruined medieval church located on the island of Egilsay, in Orkney, Scotland. The site is recognized as the place of execution...

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Located within 500m of 59.17668,-2.9531419
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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Skirmie Clett Orkney

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