The Burg

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

The Burg

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

The Burg is a prominent coastal feature located in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is a headland that juts out into the North Sea, forming a distinctive point on the coastline. The Burg is known for its rugged and dramatic cliffs, which rise steeply from the sea, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Standing at an impressive height of approximately 100 meters, the cliffs of The Burg are composed of layers of sandstone and shale, giving them a striking appearance. The exposed rock faces showcase intricate patterns and formations, evidence of the geological processes that have shaped the area over millions of years.

The Burg is a haven for wildlife, with its cliffs providing nesting grounds for a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Visitors to the area can witness these magnificent birds in their natural habitat, as they glide effortlessly through the air or perch on the cliff ledges.

The coastal path that runs along The Burg offers a spectacular walking route, allowing visitors to explore the headland and experience the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding coastline. The path leads to a viewpoint at the very tip of the headland, where one can marvel at the vast expanse of the North Sea and the distant horizon.

Overall, The Burg in Orkney is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the raw beauty of nature. Its towering cliffs, diverse wildlife, and stunning views make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a memorable experience in the Scottish landscape.

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The Burg Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.019175/-2.8260681 or Grid Reference HY5214. 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
Holm of Burghlee Shapinsay
Holm of Burghlee Shapinsay
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.
The Foot, Shapinsay The easternmost headland of the island, from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
The Foot, Shapinsay
The easternmost headland of the island, from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
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.
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.
Mor Stein Standing Stone, Shapinsay, Orkney Islands Mor Stein in an agricultural field, with background of Orkney Mainland.
Mor Stein Standing Stone, Shapinsay, Orkney Islands
Mor Stein in an agricultural field, with background of Orkney Mainland.
Sea stack at southern edge of Lingavi Geo, Shapinsay east coast Note abundant seabirds on cliffs and shoreline rocks.
Sea stack at southern edge of Lingavi Geo, Shapinsay east coast
Note abundant seabirds on cliffs and shoreline rocks.
Show me another place!

The Burg is located at Grid Ref: HY5214 (Lat: 59.019175, Lng: -2.8260681)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///sprays.exploring.computers. Near Balfour, Orkney Islands

Related Wikis

Castle Bloody

Castle Bloody is a prehistoric feature on the island of Shapinsay, Orkney, Scotland. Hogan observes that while the feature is marked as a chambered mound...

Mor Stein

Mor Stein is a neolithic standing stone in the southeastern part of the island of Shapinsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Shapinsay is one of the two large...

Bay of Linton

The Bay of Linton is a bay on the east coast on the island of Shapinsay in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. To the north of Linton Bay are the headlands...

Linton Chapel

Linton Chapel is a ruined chapel on the east coast of Shapinsay, Orkney (Grid Reference HY5218). The chapel is thought to date as early as the 12th century...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.019175,-2.8260681
Hackosness aka Haco's Ness
Place: locality
Source: OS7
Lat/Long: 59.0190964/-2.8307306
Site of Chambered Cairn (Neolithic)
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 59.0185984/-2.8344208
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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