Steiro

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Steiro

Aerogenerator on Shapinsay Taken from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk. Exact position to be ascertained.
Aerogenerator on Shapinsay Credit: Mike Pennington

Steiro, located in the Orkney Islands, is a prominent coastal feature known for its stunning headland and point. Situated on the northeastern coast of Mainland, the largest island in the Orkney archipelago, Steiro boasts breathtaking views of the North Sea.

This coastal feature is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which rise dramatically from the sea, providing a majestic backdrop to the surrounding landscape. The cliffs are composed of layered sedimentary rocks, showcasing the geological history of the region. Steiro's headland extends into the sea, forming a prominent and distinguishable point that juts out into the water.

The area surrounding Steiro is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as it is home to a diverse range of species. Seabirds such as puffins, guillemots, and razorbills can be spotted nesting along the cliffs during the breeding season, while seals and dolphins often frolic in the waters below.

Visitors to Steiro can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. The headland provides an ideal vantage point for birdwatching, with its elevated position offering unobstructed views of the surrounding coastline. Hiking trails along the cliffs allow adventurers to explore the area's natural beauty up close, while also offering opportunities for photography and sightseeing.

Steiro is not only a picturesque coastal feature but also an important cultural site. It is believed that the area has historical significance, with evidence of human activity dating back thousands of years. Archaeological sites nearby, including ancient settlements and burial mounds, provide insight into the lives of the people who inhabited the area in the past.

Overall, Steiro is a captivating coastal feature with its rugged cliffs, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural history. It is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to experience the raw beauty of the Orkney Islands.

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Steiro Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.030976/-2.8700276 or Grid Reference HY5016. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Aerogenerator on Shapinsay Taken from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk. Exact position to be ascertained.
Aerogenerator on Shapinsay
Taken from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk. Exact position to be ascertained.
Shapinsay: South Church The ruined church has an unusually positioned bell, in the little enclosure ahead of us, which makes me think that it was originally a small tower.
Shapinsay: South Church
The ruined church has an unusually positioned bell, in the little enclosure ahead of us, which makes me think that it was originally a small tower.
Shapinsay: inside the South Church A sad sight, it is clearly many years since <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714432">HY5016 : Shapinsay: South Church</a> last hosted a congregation.
Shapinsay: inside the South Church
A sad sight, it is clearly many years since HY5016 : Shapinsay: South Church last hosted a congregation.
Shapinsay: the South Church from the southeast Another view of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714432">HY5016 : Shapinsay: South Church</a>. The picture was cunningly taken in the briefest of moments when a child, the son of a man mowing the grass, was hidden behind one of the gravestones.
Shapinsay: the South Church from the southeast
Another view of HY5016 : Shapinsay: South Church. The picture was cunningly taken in the briefest of moments when a child, the son of a man mowing the grass, was hidden behind one of the gravestones.
Shapinsay: old toilet (?) at South Church Situated in a small brick/stone compound at the east end of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714432">HY5016 : Shapinsay: South Church</a>, the thing on the wall is clearly a cistern but below it seems to be some kind of small furnace - definitely not something to go on!
Shapinsay: old toilet (?) at South Church
Situated in a small brick/stone compound at the east end of HY5016 : Shapinsay: South Church, the thing on the wall is clearly a cistern but below it seems to be some kind of small furnace - definitely not something to go on!
Shapinsay: the South Church from the east This view of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714432">HY5016 : Shapinsay: South Church</a> takes in the Balfour family's burial compound, a separate building on the east side of the churchyard.
Shapinsay: the South Church from the east
This view of HY5016 : Shapinsay: South Church takes in the Balfour family's burial compound, a separate building on the east side of the churchyard.
Shapinsay: the Balfour burial compound Looking rather like a little ruined church itself, the Balfours' burial place is this building in the churchyard of the South Church - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4714441">HY5016 : Shapinsay: the South Church from the east</a>.
Shapinsay: the Balfour burial compound
Looking rather like a little ruined church itself, the Balfours' burial place is this building in the churchyard of the South Church - see HY5016 : Shapinsay: the South Church from the east.
Water infrastructure, Shapinsay, Orkney The building appears to be disused and I assume that the borehole became redundant when a mains water pipe was laid between Orkney Mainland and Shapinsay in 2012.
Water infrastructure, Shapinsay, Orkney
The building appears to be disused and I assume that the borehole became redundant when a mains water pipe was laid between Orkney Mainland and Shapinsay in 2012.
Triangulation pillar and reservoir, Shapinsay, Orkney Shapinsay's water supply used to be from boreholes (eg <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7197001">HY5116 : Water infrastructure, Shapinsay, Orkney</a>) but since 2012 the island has been supplied by a mains water pipe from Orkney Mainland.
Triangulation pillar and reservoir, Shapinsay, Orkney
Shapinsay's water supply used to be from boreholes (eg HY5116 : Water infrastructure, Shapinsay, Orkney) but since 2012 the island has been supplied by a mains water pipe from Orkney Mainland.
From Shapinsay summit
From Shapinsay summit
Looking towards Housebay The foreground here is in square, but the two farms, Housebay and Hannatoft, are in the next square.
Looking towards Housebay
The foreground here is in square, but the two farms, Housebay and Hannatoft, are in the next square.
South Kirk Both the kirk, built in 1822, and the Balfour Burial Aisle on the left, are Category B Listed. See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB18612" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB18612">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> and <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB18613" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB18613">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> for information.
South Kirk
Both the kirk, built in 1822, and the Balfour Burial Aisle on the left, are Category B Listed. See LinkExternal link and LinkExternal link for information.
Hamar The isolated house stands above fields being harvested for hay.
Hamar
The isolated house stands above fields being harvested for hay.
Ground-level Belfry Outside the ruins of South Church.
Ground-level Belfry
Outside the ruins of South Church.
South Kirk Inside the kirk are several picnic benches.
South Kirk
Inside the kirk are several picnic benches.
Window of the Balfour Aisle The north-facing window of <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB18613" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB18613">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>.
Window of the Balfour Aisle
The north-facing window of LinkExternal link.
Hebe? This plant, whatever it is, has colonised the walls of the ruined Balfour burial Aisle.
Hebe?
This plant, whatever it is, has colonised the walls of the ruined Balfour burial Aisle.
Balfour Burial Aisle The Aisle is dated 1656 but was adopted as the family burial place of the Balfours about 1800.
Balfour Burial Aisle
The Aisle is dated 1656 but was adopted as the family burial place of the Balfours about 1800.
Show me another place!

Steiro is located at Grid Ref: HY5016 (Lat: 59.030976, Lng: -2.8700276)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///viewers.strictly.laces. Near Balfour, Orkney Islands

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.030976,-2.8700276
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 59.0328607/-2.8641999
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0342067/-2.8666125
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0335845/-2.8670454
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0348528/-2.866163
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0327523/-2.863116
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0328365/-2.8645375
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.032922/-2.8659698
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0330324/-2.8674048
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0332422/-2.8689632
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0334354/-2.8701434
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0336148/-2.8713584
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0338108/-2.8726968
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0340137/-2.8739521
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.0342221/-2.8754273
Broch
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 59.0313402/-2.8692055
Steiro
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 59.0312394/-2.8694176
South Church burial ground and Balfour burial-aisle
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 59.0330445/-2.8681671
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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