Craw Nev

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Craw Nev

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

Craw Nev is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, a group of islands situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is widely recognized as a headland or point, jutting out into the North Sea. The name "Craw Nev" is derived from the Old Norse language, with "Craw" meaning "crow" and "Nev" translating to "nose," perfectly depicting its appearance.

This headland is known for its unique geological formations and stunning natural beauty. The rugged cliffs of Craw Nev tower over the surrounding coastline, reaching heights of up to 30 meters (98 feet) in some areas. These cliffs are composed of layered sandstone, revealing the area's rich geological history.

Craw Nev is also home to an abundance of wildlife, attracting nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike. The sheer cliffs provide nesting sites for various seabird species, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Visitors can witness these birds in their natural habitat, soaring above the crashing waves and nesting along the cliff edges.

Additionally, Craw Nev offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding ocean and neighboring islands. On a clear day, the headland provides a vantage point to observe the vibrant blue waters of the North Sea, as well as the neighboring islands of Rousay and Wyre.

Due to its outstanding natural features and ecological significance, Craw Nev has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), ensuring its preservation for future generations to enjoy. Whether one is interested in geology, birdwatching, or simply appreciating the awe-inspiring coastal scenery, Craw Nev is an exceptional destination in Orkney.

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Craw Nev Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.26573/-2.876709 or Grid Reference HY5042. 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.
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.
Stanger Head Looking out to the mouth of a narrow inlet, with an intrepid geographer on the tip of Stanger Head taking pictures in the opposite direction.
Stanger Head
Looking out to the mouth of a narrow inlet, with an intrepid geographer on the tip of Stanger Head taking pictures in the opposite direction.
Clifftop obstacles Disposing of rubbish used to be 'over the cliff edge' on some islands, but some of this looks quite recent.
Clifftop obstacles
Disposing of rubbish used to be 'over the cliff edge' on some islands, but some of this looks quite recent.
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.
Show me another place!

Craw Nev is located at Grid Ref: HY5042 (Lat: 59.26573, Lng: -2.876709)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///flaunting.sunbeam.processes. Near Pierowall, Orkney Islands

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.26573,-2.876709
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2616817/-2.8731769
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2621931/-2.8740943
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2626112/-2.8748265
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2630746/-2.8755802
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.263516/-2.8763822
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2639492/-2.8771359
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.264392/-2.8778896
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2648498/-2.878654
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2651363/-2.8795955
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2654584/-2.8805691
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2656887/-2.8812718
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2659793/-2.8820899
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2664399/-2.8826612
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2669114/-2.883254
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2674186/-2.8838414
Parking
Lat/Long: 59.2656517/-2.8759937
Rapness Mill (watermill, wheel, C18 grain)
Addr City: Rapness, Westray, Orkney
Man Made: watermill
Lat/Long: 59.2659715/-2.875781
Rack Wick
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 59.2682712/-2.8782678
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2620981/-2.879456
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2628429/-2.8778453
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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