John's Boat

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

John's Boat

Shag, Papa Westray Stood on the cliffs at the RSPB reserve of North Hill on Papay Westray
Shag, Papa Westray Credit: hayley green

John's Boat is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, Scotland. Situated on the eastern coast of the Mainland, the largest island in the Orkney archipelago, it is a well-known headland that extends into the North Sea.

This distinctive point is named after a local fisherman named John, who used to moor his boat near this area. The name has since become synonymous with the feature, and it serves as a popular reference point for locals and visitors alike.

John's Boat boasts stunning natural beauty and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline. Its rugged cliffs, composed of sandstone and shale, rise high above the crashing waves below. The headland is characterized by its distinct shape, resembling the hull of a boat, which further adds to its allure.

The area surrounding John's Boat is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. Seabirds, such as gannets and guillemots, can often be seen nesting on the cliffs, while seals and dolphins occasionally make appearances in the nearby waters. The headland also provides an excellent vantage point for spotting migrating whales during certain times of the year.

Furthermore, John's Boat is of historical significance, as it was once used as a lookout point during World War II. Remnants of the coastal defenses, including gun emplacements and observation posts, can still be found in the vicinity, serving as a reminder of the area's wartime past.

Overall, John's Boat is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the natural beauty and historical significance of Orkney's rugged coastline.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

John's Boat Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.384635/-2.8867482 or Grid Reference HY4955. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Shag, Papa Westray Stood on the cliffs at the RSPB reserve of North Hill on Papay Westray
Shag, Papa Westray
Stood on the cliffs at the RSPB reserve of North Hill on Papay Westray
Waves, up towards the top of North Hill, Papa Westray
Waves, up towards the top of North Hill, Papa Westray
View Along Fence And Wall Near Berry Hill
View Along Fence And Wall Near Berry Hill
Three Fulmars On Papa Westray
Three Fulmars On Papa Westray
Great Auk Memorial Memorial to last Great Auk killed in Britain in 1813, Fowl Craig, Papa Westray.
Great Auk Memorial
Memorial to last Great Auk killed in Britain in 1813, Fowl Craig, Papa Westray.
Great Auk Statue This commemorates the last breeding Great Auk in Britain, it was shot in 1813. Great Auks are now extinct.
Great Auk Statue
This commemorates the last breeding Great Auk in Britain, it was shot in 1813. Great Auks are now extinct.
Near Fowl Flag The north-east cliffs of Mull Head on Papa Westray
Near Fowl Flag
The north-east cliffs of Mull Head on Papa Westray
Fowl Craig As its name suggests, a nesting site for seabirds. This is within the RSPB North Hill reserve on Papa Westray.
Fowl Craig
As its name suggests, a nesting site for seabirds. This is within the RSPB North Hill reserve on Papa Westray.
Arctic skua Known as a scootie allan in Orkney, this bird feeds by harassing kittiwakes and terns into dropping their catch of fish. There are light and dark morphs (or varieties), as well as intermediate morphs. This is a light one. Around 100 pairs nest on the North Hill reserve.
Arctic skua
Known as a scootie allan in Orkney, this bird feeds by harassing kittiwakes and terns into dropping their catch of fish. There are light and dark morphs (or varieties), as well as intermediate morphs. This is a light one. Around 100 pairs nest on the North Hill reserve.
Guillemots  and razorbills on Fowl Craig The guillemots are the grey and white birds to the right of the picture. The ledges of the craig provide nest sites for 200 razorbills and 1600 guillemots.
Guillemots and razorbills on Fowl Craig
The guillemots are the grey and white birds to the right of the picture. The ledges of the craig provide nest sites for 200 razorbills and 1600 guillemots.
Razorbill on Fowl Craig, Papa Westray Only a small part of the craig can be seen from the cliff-top path, but this razorbill obligingly stood at a corner.
Razorbill on Fowl Craig, Papa Westray
Only a small part of the craig can be seen from the cliff-top path, but this razorbill obligingly stood at a corner.
House at Hundland A traditional Papa Westray house, long and low.
House at Hundland
A traditional Papa Westray house, long and low.
Guillemots hiding below the cliffs Fowl Craig, Papa Westray
Guillemots hiding below the cliffs
Fowl Craig, Papa Westray
Cliffs, North Hill RSPB reserve, Papa Westray
Cliffs, North Hill RSPB reserve, Papa Westray
Rocks, top of North Hill
Rocks, top of North Hill
Cliff and the makings of a sea stack
Cliff and the makings of a sea stack
Gull and wave
Gull and wave
Waves and rocks, Papa Westray Towards the top of North Hill
Waves and rocks, Papa Westray
Towards the top of North Hill
Show me another place!

John's Boat is located at Grid Ref: HY4955 (Lat: 59.384635, Lng: -2.8867482)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///lifeguard.succumbs.hope. Near Pierowall, Orkney Islands

Related Wikis

St Boniface's Church, Papa Westray

St Boniface's Church, Papa Westray is a historic church and graveyard located on the island of Papa Westray in Orkney, Scotland. The site of the church...

Papa Westray Airport

Papa Westray Airport (IATA: PPW, ICAO: EGEP) is located 22 NM (41 km; 25 mi) north of Kirkwall Airport on Papa Westray, Orkney Islands, Scotland. The facility...

Papa Westray

Papa Westray () (Scots: Papa Westree), also known as Papay, is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, United Kingdom. The fertile soil has long been a...

Holm of Papa

The Holm of Papa (or Holm of Papay, Holm of Papa Westray and known locally as the Papay Holm,) is a very small uninhabited island in the Orkney Islands...

Have you been to John's Boat?

Leave your review of John's Boat below (or comments, questions and feedback).