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Cal Geo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Cal Geo

Galt Skerry Navigation Buoy The Orkney Ports Handbook (5th edition) 2012 describes this as a north cardinal buoy, which is sited to the north west of Galt Skerry with a view across to Shapinsay. I passed by the buoy twice in the same day when visiting Westray, although the conditions on the return journey didn't make for a particularly good picture with lots of mist and drizzle on the crossing.
Galt Skerry Navigation Buoy Credit: Andy Farrington

Cal Geo is a prominent coastal feature located in the Orkney archipelago, off the northeastern coast of Scotland. Situated on the mainland, it is characterized as a headland or point jutting out into the North Sea. Cal Geo is known for its stunning cliffs and rugged terrain, offering panoramic views of the surrounding coastal landscape.

The headland is composed of layers of sedimentary rock, primarily sandstone and shale, which have been shaped by millions of years of erosion. The cliffs at Cal Geo reach impressive heights, with some sections rising over 100 meters above sea level. These towering cliffs are a result of the relentless pounding of the waves against the land, gradually wearing away the softer rock layers.

Visitors to Cal Geo can witness the dramatic interplay between land and sea, as the crashing waves carve out caves and arches in the cliffs. The area is also home to a diverse range of seabirds, including guillemots, puffins, and kittiwakes, which nest in the crevices and ledges of the cliffs.

Access to Cal Geo is relatively easy, with a well-maintained footpath leading down to the headland. However, caution is advised near the cliff edges due to their steep nature and potential instability. The site is a popular destination for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers, who are drawn to the wild beauty and geologic wonders of Cal Geo.

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Cal Geo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.072337/-2.9022444 or Grid Reference HY4820. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Galt Skerry Navigation Buoy The Orkney Ports Handbook (5th edition) 2012 describes this as a north cardinal buoy, which is sited to the north west of Galt Skerry with a view across to Shapinsay. I passed by the buoy twice in the same day when visiting Westray, although the conditions on the return journey didn't make for a particularly good picture with lots of mist and drizzle on the crossing.
Galt Skerry Navigation Buoy
The Orkney Ports Handbook (5th edition) 2012 describes this as a north cardinal buoy, which is sited to the north west of Galt Skerry with a view across to Shapinsay. I passed by the buoy twice in the same day when visiting Westray, although the conditions on the return journey didn't make for a particularly good picture with lots of mist and drizzle on the crossing.
Banks of Runabout Several Nissen Huts stand as reminder of WWII activities in this area which housed a coastal battery to protect Kirkwall.
Banks of Runabout
Several Nissen Huts stand as reminder of WWII activities in this area which housed a coastal battery to protect Kirkwall.
Banks of Runabout Low cliffs and a precariously placed building on the north side of Shapinsay.
Banks of Runabout
Low cliffs and a precariously placed building on the north side of Shapinsay.
Galt Skerry buoy Cardinal buoy off a reef north of Shapinsay.
Galt Skerry buoy
Cardinal buoy off a reef north of Shapinsay.
Banks of Runabout The steep sandy banks don't look very stable. On top is one of the Nissen huts supporting the coastal defences on Salt Ness.
Banks of Runabout
The steep sandy banks don't look very stable. On top is one of the Nissen huts supporting the coastal defences on Salt Ness.
Galt Skerry buoy
Galt Skerry buoy
Coastal erosion at Banks of Runabout
Coastal erosion at Banks of Runabout
Garth This is the last farm on the north end of the western tip on Shapinsay.
Garth
This is the last farm on the north end of the western tip on Shapinsay.
Coastal erosion The soft cliffs are collapsing and eroding away. A worry as the remains of a wartime coastal battery lie here and some of the features are in danger of collapsing into the sea. The buildings in the middle distance, looking a little like Nissen huts, will have been generator houses for searchlights etc.
Coastal erosion
The soft cliffs are collapsing and eroding away. A worry as the remains of a wartime coastal battery lie here and some of the features are in danger of collapsing into the sea. The buildings in the middle distance, looking a little like Nissen huts, will have been generator houses for searchlights etc.
The Galt Viewed from the Varagen, an inter-island ferry. Veantrow Bay is beyond.
The Galt
Viewed from the Varagen, an inter-island ferry. Veantrow Bay is beyond.
Shapinsay, Farm of Garth Farm of Garth has an excellent stock of Orkney rare farm animals.
Shapinsay, Farm of Garth
Farm of Garth has an excellent stock of Orkney rare farm animals.
Ware Geo, Shapinsay Looking along Veantrow Bay toward Ware Geo.
Ware Geo, Shapinsay
Looking along Veantrow Bay toward Ware Geo.
Salt Ness Second World War defensive buildings on the island of Shapinsay. Photographer location from in-camera GPS.
Salt Ness
Second World War defensive buildings on the island of Shapinsay. Photographer location from in-camera GPS.
Banks of Runabout From the way this Second World War building has been undermined, you can see how the sea has altered the coast of Shapinsay in the last 7 decades. Photographer location from in-camera GPS.
Banks of Runabout
From the way this Second World War building has been undermined, you can see how the sea has altered the coast of Shapinsay in the last 7 decades. Photographer location from in-camera GPS.
Salt Ness A headland on Shapinsay with the remains of a coastal defence battery.
Salt Ness
A headland on Shapinsay with the remains of a coastal defence battery.
Banks of Runabout and Saltness Traffic off Shapinsay
Banks of Runabout and Saltness
Traffic off Shapinsay
Salt Ness A low headland distinguished by its wartime relics.
Salt Ness
A low headland distinguished by its wartime relics.
Banks of Cot The shore of the Bay of Furrowend, with Waltness on the rise behind.
Banks of Cot
The shore of the Bay of Furrowend, with Waltness on the rise behind.
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Cal Geo is located at Grid Ref: HY4820 (Lat: 59.072337, Lng: -2.9022444)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///subsystem.part.nets. Near Balfour, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Ware Geo Sand Geo Banks of Vaedi The Cletts Banks of Garth Boat of Bredibir

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.072337,-2.9022444
Quoys of Vaedi
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 59.0685623/-2.9050475
OpenStreetMap
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The Galt
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 59.0706031/-2.9007336
OpenStreetMap
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Conger Rock Orkney
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