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Tystie Geo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Tystie Geo

Holm of Faray View to the island from the ferry to Kirkwall with Lavey Sound to the far right of picture.
Holm of Faray Credit: Andy Farrington

Tystie Geo is a prominent coastal feature located on the northwest coast of the Orkney Islands, an archipelago situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is categorized as a headland or point due to its prominent projection into the sea. The name "Tystie Geo" is derived from the Old Norse term "tjaldstó," meaning "sheltered bay."

Tystie Geo is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain, with steep cliffs that descend sharply into the North Atlantic Ocean. The cliff faces are composed of sandstone and are often weathered by the strong winds and waves that batter the area. The headland provides breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding coastline, making it a popular spot for visitors and nature enthusiasts.

The area surrounding Tystie Geo is rich in wildlife, with various seabird colonies nesting on the cliffs. The most notable bird species that can be observed here is the tystie, or Atlantic puffin, which is where the name of the geographical feature originates. These colorful seabirds can be seen perched on the cliff ledges or diving into the sea in search of fish.

Tystie Geo is also known for its historical significance, with archaeological remains discovered in the vicinity. These include Iron Age settlements and burial mounds, indicating human habitation in the area dating back thousands of years.

Overall, Tystie Geo is a stunning coastal feature that combines natural beauty with cultural and historical significance, offering visitors a captivating and immersive experience.

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Tystie Geo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.231448/-2.8335964 or Grid Reference HY5238. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Holm of Faray View to the island from the ferry to Kirkwall with Lavey Sound to the far right of picture.
Holm of Faray
View to the island from the ferry to Kirkwall with Lavey Sound to the far right of picture.
Faray View to the island with Broad Sand Geo to the left and Long Sand Geo right on the shore. The abandoned dwelling to the left of picture on the horizon is Cott.
Faray
View to the island with Broad Sand Geo to the left and Long Sand Geo right on the shore. The abandoned dwelling to the left of picture on the horizon is Cott.
Holm of Faray The western side of the island has a few geos. Tystie Geo and Outfloe Geo are visible here.
Holm of Faray
The western side of the island has a few geos. Tystie Geo and Outfloe Geo are visible here.
Point of Dogs Bones and Lavey Sound The southern tip of the Holm of Faray facing the northern tip of Faray.
Point of Dogs Bones and Lavey Sound
The southern tip of the Holm of Faray facing the northern tip of Faray.
Faray The remains of Quoy Farm are on top of the rise, while the cliff below is split by some geos.
Faray
The remains of Quoy Farm are on top of the rise, while the cliff below is split by some geos.
Cliffs of Faray The beginning of a sandy beach which is not very accessible. On top is an abandoned croft called Cott.
Cliffs of Faray
The beginning of a sandy beach which is not very accessible. On top is an abandoned croft called Cott.
The west coast of Faray Ruined crofts are behind, the largest one being called Roadside.
The west coast of Faray
Ruined crofts are behind, the largest one being called Roadside.
Sany Geo, near Weatherness Looking southwest towards the island of Faray and Eday.
Sany Geo, near Weatherness
Looking southwest towards the island of Faray and Eday.
Weather Ness, Rapness, Orkney The rocky outcrop on the right is separated from Westray by the sea.
Weather Ness, Rapness, Orkney
The rocky outcrop on the right is separated from Westray by the sea.
Weatherness, Westray The hut marks the point where the underwater telephone cables first came ashore on Westray.
Weatherness, Westray
The hut marks the point where the underwater telephone cables first came ashore on Westray.
Coral Sands On a sheltered beach, a close inspections shows the sands to be mainly coral; a lovely place to pass a sunny afternoon.
Coral Sands
On a sheltered beach, a close inspections shows the sands to be mainly coral; a lovely place to pass a sunny afternoon.
Weather Ness Exposure to the easterly winds here comes as a surprise after the sheltered approach towards the old telegraph station on the point of Weather Ness.
Weather Ness
Exposure to the easterly winds here comes as a surprise after the sheltered approach towards the old telegraph station on the point of Weather Ness.
Rapness: ferry arriving Looking out from Westray's ferry terminal as the boat comes in. It will soon take me and fellow travellers back to Kirkwall, a 90-minute journey.
Rapness: ferry arriving
Looking out from Westray's ferry terminal as the boat comes in. It will soon take me and fellow travellers back to Kirkwall, a 90-minute journey.
Cliffs, North end Holm of Faray These cliffs are found at the entrance/exit to Weatherness, which can be a very choppy stretch of water due to strong tides. The Holm of Faray is no longer inhabited except for about a month in springtime for lambing.
Cliffs, North end Holm of Faray
These cliffs are found at the entrance/exit to Weatherness, which can be a very choppy stretch of water due to strong tides. The Holm of Faray is no longer inhabited except for about a month in springtime for lambing.
Going ashore, Djubi Geo, Faray There are very few landing sites on the Island of Faray. Djubi Geo is one of the best. Depending on wind, weather and tides it is used for landing and taking off sheep.
Going ashore, Djubi Geo, Faray
There are very few landing sites on the Island of Faray. Djubi Geo is one of the best. Depending on wind, weather and tides it is used for landing and taking off sheep.
Lavey Sound and Holm of Faray Lavey Sound separates the northern tip of Faray (in the foreground) from the Holm of Faray except at low tide. The small pile of rocks in the right foreground is a well located at HY529378, and Westray can be seen on the distant horizon.
Lavey Sound and Holm of Faray
Lavey Sound separates the northern tip of Faray (in the foreground) from the Holm of Faray except at low tide. The small pile of rocks in the right foreground is a well located at HY529378, and Westray can be seen on the distant horizon.
Burial Ground, Faray Most of the 30 or so gravestones date from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s. Stony rubble (not visible in the photo) in the southeast corner of the walled enclosure indicates the site of an earlier chapel.
Burial Ground, Faray
Most of the 30 or so gravestones date from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s. Stony rubble (not visible in the photo) in the southeast corner of the walled enclosure indicates the site of an earlier chapel.
Doggerboat Farmhouse (east side), Faray In 1881 Faray had nine named houses according to the census, however the island has neen uninhabited since shortly after World War II.
Doggerboat Farmhouse (east side), Faray
In 1881 Faray had nine named houses according to the census, however the island has neen uninhabited since shortly after World War II.
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Tystie Geo is located at Grid Ref: HY5238 (Lat: 59.231448, Lng: -2.8335964)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///viewing.soups.hood. Near Backaland, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Outflow Geo Point of Dogs Bones Inniens Bay Lavey Sound Swannies Geo Quoy Noust

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.231448,-2.8335964
Created By: almien_coastlines mod
Lat/Long: 59.231768/-2.82663
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Created By: almien_coastlines mod
Lat/Long: 59.233055/-2.832617
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Sand Geo Orkney
Outflow Geo Orkney

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