Noust of Skidi

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Noust of Skidi

Hamar The isolated house stands above fields being harvested for hay.
Hamar Credit: Anne Burgess

Noust of Skidi is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, an archipelago situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland. This natural landmark is categorized as a headland or point, jutting out into the North Sea.

Noust of Skidi is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which soar impressively above the crashing waves below. These cliffs are composed of sandstone and have been shaped over centuries by the relentless forces of wind and water. The headland offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding seascape, with the distant horizon dotted with smaller islands.

The area surrounding Noust of Skidi is rich in biodiversity, serving as a haven for various species of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Visitors can often witness these birds soaring overhead or nesting in the rocky crevices of the cliffs. The surrounding waters are also home to a diverse range of marine life, including seals, dolphins, and even occasional sightings of whales.

The Noust of Skidi is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and photography. Several walking trails traverse the headland, allowing visitors to explore the stunning coastal scenery at their own pace. It is important to note, however, that caution should be exercised near the cliff edges, as they can be precarious and subject to erosion.

Overall, Noust of Skidi is a captivating coastal feature in Orkney, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, wildlife, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Its dramatic cliffs and sweeping vistas make it a must-visit location for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

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Noust of Skidi Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.034994/-2.903583 or Grid Reference HY4816. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Hamar The isolated house stands above fields being harvested for hay.
Hamar
The isolated house stands above fields being harvested for hay.
Shapinsay Gas House All that remains of former gas works which dates from the mid 19th century.
Shapinsay Gas House
All that remains of former gas works which dates from the mid 19th century.
Mill Dam, RSPB Reserve This reserve has a hide overlooking the dam. The reserve is home to many birds including ducks such as the pintail, waders, black headed gulls and the water rail. In winter the ducks are joined by whooper swans and greylag geese.
Mill Dam, RSPB Reserve
This reserve has a hide overlooking the dam. The reserve is home to many birds including ducks such as the pintail, waders, black headed gulls and the water rail. In winter the ducks are joined by whooper swans and greylag geese.
Main Street, Balfour Village This village was called Shoreside and was built in the late 1700s as home for workers on the Balfour estate.
Main Street, Balfour Village
This village was called Shoreside and was built in the late 1700s as home for workers on the Balfour estate.
Elwick Looking south west across the square to Balfour Castle in the distance.
Elwick
Looking south west across the square to Balfour Castle in the distance.
Bathhouse/dovecot tower, Balfour Castle, Shapinsay This curious tower was built as a doocot and sea-water shower for residents and guests at Balfour Castle.
Bathhouse/dovecot tower, Balfour Castle, Shapinsay
This curious tower was built as a doocot and sea-water shower for residents and guests at Balfour Castle.
Shapinsay pier
Shapinsay pier
Saeva Ness lighthouse from Shapinsay Ferry Saeva Ness lighthouse on Helliar Holm viewed from the Shapinsay ferry.
Saeva Ness lighthouse from Shapinsay Ferry
Saeva Ness lighthouse on Helliar Holm viewed from the Shapinsay ferry.
Saeva Ness Lighthouse Saeva Ness lighthouse looks out across The String a short distance to the Head of Work on Mainland.
Saeva Ness Lighthouse
Saeva Ness lighthouse looks out across The String a short distance to the Head of Work on Mainland.
Balfour Castle Grapes were once grown in the greenhouses here, in defiance of Adam Smith's assertion that a grape harvest in Scotland would be hopelessly uneconomic. Now the household confines its fruit-growing ambitions to rhubarb jam.
Balfour Castle
Grapes were once grown in the greenhouses here, in defiance of Adam Smith's assertion that a grape harvest in Scotland would be hopelessly uneconomic. Now the household confines its fruit-growing ambitions to rhubarb jam.
The Shapinsay Ferry Vehicles must reverse on to this shallow bottomed craft which takes about 25 minutes for the journey to Kirkwall. It serves islanders commuting to Kirkwall as well as tourists visiting this agricultural island.
The Shapinsay Ferry
Vehicles must reverse on to this shallow bottomed craft which takes about 25 minutes for the journey to Kirkwall. It serves islanders commuting to Kirkwall as well as tourists visiting this agricultural island.
War Memorial at Elwick The distinctive cross on a column stands by a road junction above Elwick, a former Viking anchorage. The round stepped stone ornaments by the memorial and the dry stone dykes are common on Shapinsay.
War Memorial at Elwick
The distinctive cross on a column stands by a road junction above Elwick, a former Viking anchorage. The round stepped stone ornaments by the memorial and the dry stone dykes are common on Shapinsay.
Field near Balfour An old mill which may become a crafts centre looms above the grassy hillside north-east of Balfour. In the foreground are the distinctive kochia or "red hot pokers".
Field near Balfour
An old mill which may become a crafts centre looms above the grassy hillside north-east of Balfour. In the foreground are the distinctive kochia or "red hot pokers".
Balfour Castle Imposing Victorian pile built around Cliffdale, the previous house. It is now an exclusive hotel.
Balfour Castle
Imposing Victorian pile built around Cliffdale, the previous house. It is now an exclusive hotel.
Shapinsay Harbour Lobster boats and the Kirkwall RO / RO ferry use the small harbour at Balfour. Cannon decorate the quayside and the round tower in the background is "The Douche" - supposed to be a doocot and a saltwater shower!
Shapinsay Harbour
Lobster boats and the Kirkwall RO / RO ferry use the small harbour at Balfour. Cannon decorate the quayside and the round tower in the background is "The Douche" - supposed to be a doocot and a saltwater shower!
Strombery and Twi Ness viewed from the west. Balfour Castle and the Doocot to the south of the castle can be seen in the distance.
Strombery and Twi Ness viewed from the west.
Balfour Castle and the Doocot to the south of the castle can be seen in the distance.
Saeva Ness lighthouse on Helliar Holm.
Saeva Ness lighthouse on Helliar Holm.
Cliffs and chambered cairn on Helliar Holm.
Cliffs and chambered cairn on Helliar Holm.
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Noust of Skidi is located at Grid Ref: HY4816 (Lat: 59.034994, Lng: -2.903583)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///lawns.guests.grins. Near Balfour, Orkney Islands

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.034994,-2.903583
Balfour Mains
Place: locality
Source: OS7
Lat/Long: 59.0379861/-2.9093991
Shapinsay Heritage Centre
Opening Hours: off
Tourism: museum
Website: https://shapinsay.org.uk/visiting-shapinsay/
Lat/Long: 59.0323672/-2.9093664
Post Box
Collection Times: Mo-Sa 09:45
Post Box Design: type_n
Post Box Type: lamp
Ref: KW17 124
Royal Cypher: scottish_crown
Lat/Long: 59.0335017/-2.9089935
Ferry Terminal
Shapinsay Ferry Terminal
Ferry: yes
Public Transport: station
Lat/Long: 59.0315134/-2.9082711
Post Office
Balfour Post Office
Addr Country: GB
Addr Postcode: KW17 2DX
Opening Hours: Mo-We,Fr 09:00-11:30; Th 09:00-13:30
Ref Pol Id: 1279
Lat/Long: 59.0331207/-2.9087441
Shop: bakery
Lat/Long: 59.033118/-2.9085671
Fuel
Lat/Long: 59.0332174/-2.9090257
Covered: no
Leisure: picnic_table
Lat/Long: 59.0315929/-2.9092591
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0383176/-2.8979424
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0381735/-2.9009025
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0381348/-2.9021483
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0378647/-2.9029053
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0378959/-2.9041822
Material: wood
Power: pole
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Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0372001/-2.9068014
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0368833/-2.9080126
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0365453/-2.9091617
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0357738/-2.9093625
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0349927/-2.909615
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0342384/-2.9097948
Location Transition: yes
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0333721/-2.9100738
Generator Method: wind_turbine
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: wind
Generator Type: horizontal_axis
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.0355966/-2.9083782
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0351978/-2.90454
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0355152/-2.9040653
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0359595/-2.903333
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0360175/-2.9028797
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0360396/-2.9012114
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0377231/-2.9027858
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0375782/-2.9027966
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0368165/-2.9028046
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0361072/-2.9028046
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0361679/-2.9078659
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0361624/-2.9065624
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0361624/-2.905232
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0361086/-2.9038775
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0335224/-2.909317
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.034189/-2.909317
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0348086/-2.9092982
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0354172/-2.9092795
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0362024/-2.9091829
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0367696/-2.9084909
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0374761/-2.9076728
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.037937/-2.9071605
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0380184/-2.9070345
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0385828/-2.9063639
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0391334/-2.9057229
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0360147/-2.9001331
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0359761/-2.8988886
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0359761/-2.8980839
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0356201/-2.8952596
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0357663/-2.8965846
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0368634/-2.8959274
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0363818/-2.897003
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.0369021/-2.9021555
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.0366247/-2.9020456
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.0362273/-2.9017773
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.0362231/-2.9019114
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.0362397/-2.9020536
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.0362369/-2.902177
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.0362383/-2.902303
Generator Method: photovoltaic
Generator Output Electricity: yes
Generator Source: solar
Generator Type: solar_photovoltaic_panel
Location: roof
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.0362397/-2.9024506
Doctors
Doctor's Surgery
Healthcare: doctor
Lat/Long: 59.0348694/-2.9064388
Grain Mill (19th Century)
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 59.0362292/-2.8984875
Defibrillator
Defibrillator Location: Shapinsay Community School. Left hand side of external wall facing road.
Emergency: defibrillator
Indoor: no
Lat/Long: 59.0345084/-2.9069508
Defibrillator
Defibrillator Location: Shapinsay Development Trust. Left hand side of external wall facing road.
Emergency: defibrillator
Indoor: no
Lat/Long: 59.0347906/-2.9053099
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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