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Stynie

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Stynie

Craw Nev Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Craw Nev Credit: Anne Burgess

Stynie is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, an archipelago situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is specifically classified as a headland or point due to its unique geographical formation.

Situated on the northern coast of the Orkney Mainland, Stynie juts out into the North Sea, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline. It is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which rise steeply from the sea, providing a dramatic backdrop against the crashing waves below. The cliffs are composed of sandstone and are known for their distinctive red coloration, adding to the scenic beauty of the area.

Stynie is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Its location on the coast provides ample opportunities for activities such as birdwatching, as the area is home to various seabird species like puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes. Additionally, the surrounding waters are frequented by seals and dolphins, further enhancing the wildlife viewing experience.

The headland is also a favored spot for hiking and walking, with several well-marked trails leading visitors along the cliff tops and offering panoramic vistas of the North Sea. The picturesque landscape, combined with the rich history of the Orkney Islands, makes Stynie an ideal destination for those seeking both natural beauty and cultural exploration.

Overall, Stynie serves as a captivating coastal feature, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the stunning scenery and diverse wildlife of the Orkney Islands.

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Stynie Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.261304/-2.893661 or Grid Reference HY4941. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Craw Nev Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Craw Nev
Having got accustomed to all the rocks in Orkney being in fairly orderly strata with a gentle dip, I was astonished to see this headland of extensively deformed rock.
Boardwalk For the convenience of those walking to and from the cliff path, a boardwalk has been provided to get across a rough or wet patch.
Boardwalk
For the convenience of those walking to and from the cliff path, a boardwalk has been provided to get across a rough or wet patch.
Pink Campion Red Campion and White Campion, both of which occur here, are known to hybridise. This pale-flowered plant is probably such a hybrid.
Pink Campion
Red Campion and White Campion, both of which occur here, are known to hybridise. This pale-flowered plant is probably such a hybrid.
Puffin (Fratercula arctica) Although we were assured by several people that there were hundreds of Puffins at the Castle of Burrian, we saw only a few, of which this one posed obligingly for several minutes for us.
Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Although we were assured by several people that there were hundreds of Puffins at the Castle of Burrian, we saw only a few, of which this one posed obligingly for several minutes for us.
Cove at Saaclay The old six-inch map suggests that Saaclay is the name of the promontory from which this view was taken, but none of the maps names the cove itself.
Cove at Saaclay
The old six-inch map suggests that Saaclay is the name of the promontory from which this view was taken, but none of the maps names the cove itself.
Castle o' Burrian The name seems to be applied to the sea stack rather than just to the prehistoric site on its summit. It is supposed to be one of the best places to see Puffins, but we saw even fewer here than we had seen at the Brough of Birsay or the Brough of Bigging the previous day.
Castle o' Burrian
The name seems to be applied to the sea stack rather than just to the prehistoric site on its summit. It is supposed to be one of the best places to see Puffins, but we saw even fewer here than we had seen at the Brough of Birsay or the Brough of Bigging the previous day.
Castle o' Burrian From here you can clearly see that this is a rock stack, cut off from the land at high tide.
Castle o' Burrian
From here you can clearly see that this is a rock stack, cut off from the land at high tide.
Bare Rowa Bare Rowa seems to be the name of the bay or cove enclosed by the headland here.
Bare Rowa
Bare Rowa seems to be the name of the bay or cove enclosed by the headland here.
White Campion (Silene latifolia) The cliffs were thick with both White Campion and Red Campion, and a range of hybrids of all shades of pink.
White Campion (Silene latifolia)
The cliffs were thick with both White Campion and Red Campion, and a range of hybrids of all shades of pink.
Red Campion (Silene dioica) One of the numerous fine large clumps of Red Campion along the cliffs.
Red Campion (Silene dioica)
One of the numerous fine large clumps of Red Campion along the cliffs.
Sea Campion (Silene uniflora) This campion is fairly common alongside the clifftop path.
Sea Campion (Silene uniflora)
This campion is fairly common alongside the clifftop path.
Thrift (Armeria maritima) A particularly fine clump of Thrift or Sea Pink.
Thrift (Armeria maritima)
A particularly fine clump of Thrift or Sea Pink.
Rack Wick A bay which penetrates towards the central spine of Westray.
Rack Wick
A bay which penetrates towards the central spine of Westray.
Rapness Mill, Westray Two storey grain mill with repairs in modern materials that was placed on the at risk register in 1990. Canmore date it to the 18th century but a walking guide apparently by Orkney Island Council claims it to be built about 1850. Immediately prior to 1933 the Harcus family are said to work the mill. The 1843-1882 OS map shows the mill but I can't find an earlier detailed map.
Rapness Mill, Westray
Two storey grain mill with repairs in modern materials that was placed on the at risk register in 1990. Canmore date it to the 18th century but a walking guide apparently by Orkney Island Council claims it to be built about 1850. Immediately prior to 1933 the Harcus family are said to work the mill. The 1843-1882 OS map shows the mill but I can't find an earlier detailed map.
Croft house near Sangar A network of minor roads links the croft houses on the Rapness peninsula of Westray.
Croft house near Sangar
A network of minor roads links the croft houses on the Rapness peninsula of Westray.
Castle o'Burrian, Westray The "castle" is a natural rock stack. It is a good place to see many seabirds, including puffins. There are the remains of a building on top of the stack, thought to be an early Christian hermitage.
Castle o'Burrian, Westray
The "castle" is a natural rock stack. It is a good place to see many seabirds, including puffins. There are the remains of a building on top of the stack, thought to be an early Christian hermitage.
Rapness Mill, Westray This old watermill stands next to the shore at the start of the path to Castle o' Burrian.
Rapness Mill, Westray
This old watermill stands next to the shore at the start of the path to Castle o' Burrian.
Sanger Mill, Westray This old windmill was used to thresh oats and bere barley. It has a kiln to dry the grain before grinding at Rapness Mill <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/184436">HY5042 : Rapness Mill, Westray</a>.
Sanger Mill, Westray
This old windmill was used to thresh oats and bere barley. It has a kiln to dry the grain before grinding at Rapness Mill HY5042 : Rapness Mill, Westray.
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Stynie is located at Grid Ref: HY4941 (Lat: 59.261304, Lng: -2.893661)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///shuffle.butlers.haystack. Near Pierowall, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Fessibar Twiness Stynie

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.261304,-2.893661
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Lat/Long: 59.26488/-2.8885165
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Sand Geo Orkney
Long Taing Orkney

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