Green Geo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Green Geo

The Bay of Semolie, Southern Part Wave-cut platform with mini seastack.
The Bay of Semolie, Southern Part Credit: Ian Balcombe

Green Geo is a prominent coastal feature located on the island of Orkney, off the north coast of Scotland. It is classified as a headland, also known as a point, due to its protrusion into the sea. Situated on the western coast of Orkney Mainland, Green Geo offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the North Atlantic Ocean.

The headland is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which rise to a height of approximately 50 meters (164 feet) above sea level. These cliffs are composed of sedimentary rocks, including sandstone and shale, exhibiting a variety of colors such as green, red, and brown. The geological formation of Green Geo is a result of millions of years of erosion by the powerful waves of the ocean, which have carved out a deep and narrow gorge into the coastline.

The name "Green Geo" is derived from the Scottish word "geo," meaning a narrow inlet or cleft in a cliff. The name is fitting as the geo at Green Geo is indeed a narrow and dramatic cleft that extends inland from the sea, creating a striking visual feature. The geo is accessible via a footpath that leads down from the cliff top, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the area up close.

Green Geo is not only a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers but also serves as an important breeding ground for various seabird species, including fulmars, kittiwakes, and guillemots. Birdwatchers flock to the area to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Overall, Green Geo in Orkney is a must-visit coastal feature that showcases the raw beauty and geological diversity of this remote Scottish archipelago.

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

Green Geo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.87286/-2.8342657 or Grid Reference ND5198. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Bay of Semolie, Southern Part Wave-cut platform with mini seastack.
The Bay of Semolie, Southern Part
Wave-cut platform with mini seastack.
Wave-cut Platform Looking towards Copinsay, on the horizon.
Wave-cut Platform
Looking towards Copinsay, on the horizon.
The Bay of Semolie Southern end of the bay.
The Bay of Semolie
Southern end of the bay.
What a difference a fence makes Boundary between pasture and rough grazing.
What a difference a fence makes
Boundary between pasture and rough grazing.
Approaching Bruce's Hole That must cause some disappointing first visits to Geograph.
Approaching Bruce's Hole
That must cause some disappointing first visits to Geograph.
Bruce's Hole Or is it Tur Geo?
Bruce's Hole
Or is it Tur Geo?
The start of cliff collapse By Bruce's Hole, the clifftop is showing signs of subsidence, due to undercutting below.
The start of cliff collapse
By Bruce's Hole, the clifftop is showing signs of subsidence, due to undercutting below.
Bruce's Hole Looking from the southern side of the geo.
Bruce's Hole
Looking from the southern side of the geo.
Looking towards North Cairn A whole range of coastal features evident here.
Looking towards North Cairn
A whole range of coastal features evident here.
Approaching Hole of the Ness Truly amazing blowhole. I love Orkney..... no fence, no warning signs, nothing. My kind of Health and Safety: if you fall down a great big hole it's your fault.
Approaching Hole of the Ness
Truly amazing blowhole. I love Orkney..... no fence, no warning signs, nothing. My kind of Health and Safety: if you fall down a great big hole it's your fault.
Hole of the Ness Must come back here to watch the sea explode up out of the ground when it's blowing an easterly gale. Here on Orkney, that could be anything up to four or five hours away, of course.
Hole of the Ness
Must come back here to watch the sea explode up out of the ground when it's blowing an easterly gale. Here on Orkney, that could be anything up to four or five hours away, of course.
Hole of the Ness Impressive blowhole, so to speak.
Hole of the Ness
Impressive blowhole, so to speak.
Hole of the Ness Blowhole with tunnel.
Hole of the Ness
Blowhole with tunnel.
Hole of the Ness Blowhole with tunnel.
Hole of the Ness
Blowhole with tunnel.
Roy, buildings and turbine With the much larger Burray turbine in the distance.
Roy, buildings and turbine
With the much larger Burray turbine in the distance.
Stack, arch, stump As "Natural Arch" is written large on the map, I was expecting something more spectacular than this small tunnel. Perhaps another arch lies hidden nearby, or the arch has since collapsed, leaving the stump.
Stack, arch, stump
As "Natural Arch" is written large on the map, I was expecting something more spectacular than this small tunnel. Perhaps another arch lies hidden nearby, or the arch has since collapsed, leaving the stump.
Wave-cut platform Part of some extensive stretches of wave-cut platform along this area of coast.
Wave-cut platform
Part of some extensive stretches of wave-cut platform along this area of coast.
North Cairn Nearly sunset. Old beacon on Rose Ness beyond.
North Cairn
Nearly sunset. Old beacon on Rose Ness beyond.
Show me another place!

Green Geo is located at Grid Ref: ND5198 (Lat: 58.87286, Lng: -2.8342657)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///things.exulted.prune. Near Holm, Orkney Islands

Related Wikis

Lamb Holm

Lamb Holm is a small uninhabited island in Orkney, Scotland. The Italian Chapel, constructed during the Second World War, is the island's main attraction...

Italian Chapel

The Italian Chapel is a highly ornate Catholic chapel on Lamb Holm in the Orkney Islands. It was built during World War II by Italian prisoners of war...

A961 road

The A961 is a single-carriageway road on the eastern side of Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, connecting the town of Kirkwall on the Orkney Mainland to...

Orkney F.C.

Orkney Football Club is a senior association football club from the Orkney Islands, Scotland. The club was founded in 2012 and competes in the North Caledonian...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.87286,-2.8342657
Seamark Light Character: Fl
Seamark Light Colour: white
Seamark Light Height: 24
Seamark Light Period: 6
Seamark Light Range: 8
Seamark Light Reference: A 3626
Seamark Light Sequence: 0.5+(5.5)
Seamark Name: Rose Ness
Seamark Type: light_minor
Source: US NGA Pub. 114. 2011-05-26.
Lat/Long: 58.8726333/-2.8317667
Beacon, Rose Ness built 1867
Man Made: lighthouse
Lat/Long: 58.8740568/-2.8292319
Rose Ness Beacon built 1905
Man Made: lighthouse
Lat/Long: 58.8727358/-2.8319798
Long Cairn (Neolithic)
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 58.8738925/-2.8294903
Rose Ness
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 58.8749818/-2.83198
Dishan
Lat/Long: 58.8743824/-2.826853
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Green Geo?

Leave your review of Green Geo below (or comments, questions and feedback).