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Ness of Howe

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Ness of Howe

Standing Stone in Shapinsay
Standing Stone in Shapinsay Credit: fabio sassi

Ness of Howe is a prominent headland located on the eastern coast of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. It is situated in the parish of Deerness, about 8 kilometers northeast of the town of Kirkwall. The headland is formed by a narrow strip of land that juts out into the North Sea, creating a distinctive point along the coast.

Ness of Howe is known for its dramatic cliffs, which rise up to 50 meters above sea level. The rugged and rocky coastline provides a stunning backdrop for visitors and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding ocean. The headland is also home to a variety of seabirds, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers.

At the tip of Ness of Howe stands a prominent lighthouse, known as the Cantick Head Lighthouse. Built in 1858, this historic structure serves as a navigational aid for ships passing through the area. The lighthouse has a distinctive white tower and is still in operation today.

In addition to its natural beauty, Ness of Howe has historical significance. The headland is believed to have been inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of Neolithic settlements nearby. The area also played a role during World War II when it was used as a radar station to monitor the North Sea.

Ness of Howe is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and photography. Its unique combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and stunning views make it a must-visit location for visitors to the Orkney Islands.

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Ness of Howe Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.024407/-2.8461725 or Grid Reference HY5115. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Standing Stone in Shapinsay
Standing Stone in Shapinsay
Nr Putaquoy Looking toward Newlot
Nr Putaquoy Looking toward Newlot
General View of area Looking toward Holm of Burghlee. A remote area frequented by birds more than man.
General View of area
Looking toward Holm of Burghlee. A remote area frequented by birds more than man.
Haco's Ness, Shapinsay From the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness, Shapinsay
From the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness and Bay of Sandgarth, Shapinsay Taken from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness and Bay of Sandgarth, Shapinsay
Taken from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
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.
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.
Former rubbish tip, Shapinsay, Orkney I'm guessing that this style of waste disposal doesn't comply with modern legislation.
Former rubbish tip, Shapinsay, Orkney
I'm guessing that this style of waste disposal doesn't comply with modern legislation.
Mor Stein The information board says that it is known locally as the Moora Stone. It has lost some of its height since the Reverend George Barry described it as the Standing Stone of Shapinsay in the Statistical Account of Shapinsay <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://stataccscot.edina.ac.uk/static/statacc/dist/viewer/osa-vol17-Parish_record_for_Shapinshay_in_the_county_of_Orkney_in_volume_17_of_account_1/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://stataccscot.edina.ac.uk/static/statacc/dist/viewer/osa-vol17-Parish_record_for_Shapinshay_in_the_county_of_Orkney_in_volume_17_of_account_1/">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> in 1796. It now stands 2.9 metres tall, 0.95 metres wide and 0.45 metres thick, and is still covered with lichen as it was over 200 years ago. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, but the citation <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM1323" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM1323">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> is unusually devoid of information.
Mor Stein
The information board says that it is known locally as the Moora Stone. It has lost some of its height since the Reverend George Barry described it as the Standing Stone of Shapinsay in the Statistical Account of Shapinsay LinkExternal link in 1796. It now stands 2.9 metres tall, 0.95 metres wide and 0.45 metres thick, and is still covered with lichen as it was over 200 years ago. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, but the citation LinkExternal link is unusually devoid of information.
Haco's Ness This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness
This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness
This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness Lurking under the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as very little of it is visible.
Haco's Ness
Lurking under the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as very little of it is visible.
Haco's Ness The stones lurking among the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as so little of it is visible.
Haco's Ness
The stones lurking among the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as so little of it is visible.
Wildfowling Hide? We thought that's what this must be, as it overlooks a shallow pond that would be likely to attract migrating geese.
Wildfowling Hide?
We thought that's what this must be, as it overlooks a shallow pond that would be likely to attract migrating geese.
Ruined Cottage A cottage at Haco's Ness.
Ruined Cottage
A cottage at Haco's Ness.
Sandgarth A croft at Haco's Ness.
Sandgarth
A croft at Haco's Ness.
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.
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Ness of Howe is located at Grid Ref: HY5115 (Lat: 59.024407, Lng: -2.8461725)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///chucks.crumples.cracker. Near Balfour, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Wallace Geo Bay of Sandgarth Helli Geo Pool of Haroldsgarth Winter Noust Ness of Howe

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.024407,-2.8461725
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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