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Swart Hellia Geo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Swart Hellia Geo

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

Swart Hellia Geo is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, Scotland. It is classified as a headland or point due to its distinctive geographical formation and its location along the coastline. The name "Swart Hellia Geo" is derived from the local dialect, with "Swart" signifying the dark or black appearance of the area and "Hellia Geo" referring to a steep-sided inlet or cleft in the cliffs.

This coastal feature is characterized by its imposing cliffs that rise sharply from the sea, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The cliffs are composed of sedimentary rocks, showcasing layers of different geological formations. These layers provide valuable insights into the region's geological history, with unique fossils occasionally found embedded within them.

The location of Swart Hellia Geo also makes it an important site for birdwatching enthusiasts. The cliffs provide nesting grounds for various seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Visitors can witness these birds in their natural habitat, soaring through the air or perched on the cliff ledges.

Access to Swart Hellia Geo is typically limited to viewing from a distance, as the steep cliffs make it challenging to explore up close. However, there are designated paths and viewpoints in the surrounding area that offer excellent vantage points for admiring this stunning coastal feature.

Overall, Swart Hellia Geo is a remarkable headland or point in Orkney, known for its dramatic cliffs, geological significance, and diverse birdlife. Its natural beauty and geological importance make it a popular destination for nature lovers and geology enthusiasts alike.

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Swart Hellia Geo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.283429/-2.8823416 or Grid Reference HY4944. 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.
Bight of Stangerhead The bay and the cliffs on the right are in this square, but Stanger Head itself is in the next square.
Bight of Stangerhead
The bay and the cliffs on the right are in this square, but Stanger Head itself is in the next square.
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.
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.
Rack Wick The bay, from the path to Castle O'Burrian.
Rack Wick
The bay, from the path to Castle O'Burrian.
Cliffs at Rack Wick Small but spectacular cliffs beside Castle O'Burrian
Cliffs at Rack Wick
Small but spectacular cliffs beside Castle O'Burrian
Cliffs, near Castle o Burrian, Rapness, Westray There is a coastal path along these cliffs to the Castle O Burrian - a natural rock stack where puffins breed.
Cliffs, near Castle o Burrian, Rapness, Westray
There is a coastal path along these cliffs to the Castle O Burrian - a natural rock stack where puffins breed.
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Swart Hellia Geo is located at Grid Ref: HY4944 (Lat: 59.283429, Lng: -2.8823416)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///muted.backup.direction. Near Pierowall, Orkney Islands

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Point of Glen Swart Hellia Geo

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.283429,-2.8823416
Generator Method: wind_turbine
Generator Source: wind
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.2813356/-2.8836769
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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