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North Taing

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

North Taing

Work Farm and Head of Work, St Ola, Orkney Beef and sheep farm on a headland to the north east of Kirkwall, Orkney. Small loch impounded by an 'ayre' or bar at right
Work Farm and Head of Work, St Ola, Orkney Credit: Karl Cooper

North Taing is a prominent coastal feature located in the Orkney Islands, off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is classified as a headland or point due to its unique geographical characteristics. Situated on the northernmost tip of the Mainland, the largest island in the Orkney archipelago, North Taing offers breathtaking views of the surrounding North Sea.

With its rugged cliffs and dramatic rock formations, North Taing stands as a magnificent natural landmark. The headland is composed of sandstone and shale, and erosion over thousands of years has sculpted its distinctive shape. It reaches an elevation of approximately 40 meters above sea level, providing an advantageous vantage point for visitors to observe the crashing waves and the diverse marine life that inhabits the area.

North Taing is also notable for its rich history and cultural significance. Archaeological discoveries have uncovered evidence of ancient settlements nearby, dating back thousands of years. These findings, including stone tools and burial sites, provide insights into the lives of the early inhabitants of Orkney.

The headland is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Hiking trails traverse the rugged terrain, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the area. Seabird colonies, including puffins and guillemots, can be observed nesting on the cliffs during the breeding season, adding to the area's natural beauty.

In conclusion, North Taing in Orkney is a captivating coastal feature, characterized by its stunning cliffs, rich history, and abundant wildlife. It remains a must-visit destination for those seeking to experience the rugged beauty of the Orkney Islands.

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North Taing Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.995404/-2.8909717 or Grid Reference HY4812. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Work Farm and Head of Work, St Ola, Orkney Beef and sheep farm on a headland to the north east of Kirkwall, Orkney. Small loch impounded by an 'ayre' or bar at right
Work Farm and Head of Work, St Ola, Orkney
Beef and sheep farm on a headland to the north east of Kirkwall, Orkney. Small loch impounded by an 'ayre' or bar at right
Blackhall
Blackhall
Cormorants on rock outcrop
Cormorants on rock outcrop
West to Seatter Looking west along the track from Head of Holland towards the farm of Seatter, on a balmy June evening.
West to Seatter
Looking west along the track from Head of Holland towards the farm of Seatter, on a balmy June evening.
Holland The cottage of Holland a few miles east of Kirkwall. Head of Holland behind in sunshine with man made spoil heap from little quarry just beyond. Presumably Holland just means high land (though not in this case!) - there are numerous dwellings called Holland in the Orkney Isles - and are usually at or near the high point of the relevant island - Papa Westray <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/176583" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/176583">Link</a> and North Ronaldsay <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/341485" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/341485">Link</a> being examples.
Holland
The cottage of Holland a few miles east of Kirkwall. Head of Holland behind in sunshine with man made spoil heap from little quarry just beyond. Presumably Holland just means high land (though not in this case!) - there are numerous dwellings called Holland in the Orkney Isles - and are usually at or near the high point of the relevant island - Papa Westray Link and North Ronaldsay Link being examples.
Head of Holland Looking north from the spoil heap of the quarry in foreground - Sandstone Quarry - across Head of Holland towards the islands of Shapinsay and in far distance Rousay. The Stronsay ferry can be seen in front of Shapinsay.
Head of Holland
Looking north from the spoil heap of the quarry in foreground - Sandstone Quarry - across Head of Holland towards the islands of Shapinsay and in far distance Rousay. The Stronsay ferry can be seen in front of Shapinsay.
Cliff, Rocks and Sea Easternmost part of Head of Holland, Orkney - looking north.
Cliff, Rocks and Sea
Easternmost part of Head of Holland, Orkney - looking north.
Whitefowl Nevi Another fine name in another fine location on the east side of Head of Holland, Orkney mainland - Sea Pink or Thrift in foreground.
Whitefowl Nevi
Another fine name in another fine location on the east side of Head of Holland, Orkney mainland - Sea Pink or Thrift in foreground.
Passing Place The lane leads to a facility run by Scottish Water, it can be quite busy at times.
Passing Place
The lane leads to a facility run by Scottish Water, it can be quite busy at times.
Farmland near Blackhall Looking towards the Bay of Meil with the Head of Holland beyond.
Farmland near Blackhall
Looking towards the Bay of Meil with the Head of Holland beyond.
Perfect Shelter-pen How nice this would be on a wild day. A perfectly built shelter for ponies. Excellent views from within, not that the ponies would be tall enough. Clearly marked on the 1:25000 map as a Geograph.
Perfect Shelter-pen
How nice this would be on a wild day. A perfectly built shelter for ponies. Excellent views from within, not that the ponies would be tall enough. Clearly marked on the 1:25000 map as a Geograph.
Chambered Cairn Head of Work This burial chamber has been opened and left to the elements. Normally, the chambers or stalls are underground and in similar sites, human remains have been found. Much more information here - <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=17260" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=17260">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Chambered Cairn Head of Work
This burial chamber has been opened and left to the elements. Normally, the chambers or stalls are underground and in similar sites, human remains have been found. Much more information here - LinkExternal link
Head of Holland Quarry This is the quarry from which a good proportion of Kirkwall Cathedral stone was taken from 1165 onwards. In more recent times it has been reopened for further extraction to enable restoration work - here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2494668">HY4410 : Rose Window</a>. The recent weather-scar seen in this picture exposes the delightful red colouring
Head of Holland Quarry
This is the quarry from which a good proportion of Kirkwall Cathedral stone was taken from 1165 onwards. In more recent times it has been reopened for further extraction to enable restoration work - here HY4410 : Rose Window. The recent weather-scar seen in this picture exposes the delightful red colouring
Head of Work Taken from the Aberdeen-Orkney-Shetland ferry.
Head of Work
Taken from the Aberdeen-Orkney-Shetland ferry.
Pony Shelter A small very well built structure on high ground. Inside is rough and very nettley but is good shelter from the frequent winds. It is not too small for five or six ponies but there are none. The area is rarely grazed by sheep and is largely unmanaged. Just see Balfour Castle <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfour_Castle" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfour_Castle">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> on Shapinsay in the backdrop. But the view, slightly right of the picture is of the String and the Stevenson Lighthouse on Hellia Holm
Pony Shelter
A small very well built structure on high ground. Inside is rough and very nettley but is good shelter from the frequent winds. It is not too small for five or six ponies but there are none. The area is rarely grazed by sheep and is largely unmanaged. Just see Balfour Castle LinkExternal link on Shapinsay in the backdrop. But the view, slightly right of the picture is of the String and the Stevenson Lighthouse on Hellia Holm
Animal trap, Head of Holland, Orkney This is one of nearly 6,000 such traps deployed by the Orkney Native Wildlife Project across Orkney Mainland and the linked southern isles. The objective of the project is to eradicate the non-native stoat, which was first reported on the islands in 2010, in order to protect ground-nesting birds and the Orkney vole.
Animal trap, Head of Holland, Orkney
This is one of nearly 6,000 such traps deployed by the Orkney Native Wildlife Project across Orkney Mainland and the linked southern isles. The objective of the project is to eradicate the non-native stoat, which was first reported on the islands in 2010, in order to protect ground-nesting birds and the Orkney vole.
Whitefowl Nevi, Head of Holland, Orkney Presumably this was named after the fulmars which nest on it. Behind is a quarry spoil heap of red sandstone. The quarry was the source of stone used to construct Kirkwall Cathedral in the 12th century. The quarry is not now in use, except when stone needs to be sourced for restoration work at the cathedral. Beyond is the tip of Head of Holland at North Taing.
Whitefowl Nevi, Head of Holland, Orkney
Presumably this was named after the fulmars which nest on it. Behind is a quarry spoil heap of red sandstone. The quarry was the source of stone used to construct Kirkwall Cathedral in the 12th century. The quarry is not now in use, except when stone needs to be sourced for restoration work at the cathedral. Beyond is the tip of Head of Holland at North Taing.
Fishing debris, Head of Holland, Orkney Behind is a quarry spoil heap of red sandstone. The quarry was the source of stone used to construct Kirkwall Cathedral in the 12th century. The quarry is not now in use, except when stone needs to be sourced for restoration work at the cathedral.
Fishing debris, Head of Holland, Orkney
Behind is a quarry spoil heap of red sandstone. The quarry was the source of stone used to construct Kirkwall Cathedral in the 12th century. The quarry is not now in use, except when stone needs to be sourced for restoration work at the cathedral.
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North Taing is located at Grid Ref: HY4812 (Lat: 58.995404, Lng: -2.8909717)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///streamers.custom.plots. Near Kirkwall, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

North Taing Bay of Meil Head of Holland

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.995404,-2.8909717
Head of Holland
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 58.9917505/-2.8911256
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Kirk Geo Orkney
Stack of Kame Orkney

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