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South Skerry

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

South Skerry

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

South Skerry is a coastal feature located in the Orkney archipelago, in northern Scotland. It is a prominent headland or point that stretches out into the North Atlantic Ocean. Situated in the southwestern part of Orkney Mainland, South Skerry is characterized by its rugged and rocky landscape, which is typical of the region.

The headland is known for its stunning natural beauty, with steep cliffs that provide breathtaking views of the surrounding ocean. The cliffs are composed of sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone and shale, which have been shaped by the relentless action of the waves over thousands of years.

South Skerry is also renowned for its rich marine ecosystem. The surrounding waters are teeming with a diverse range of marine life, including various species of fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. The headland serves as an important nesting site for seabirds, such as puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts, who flock to the area to observe the abundant birdlife.

The headland is accessible to visitors, who can explore the area on foot along the coastal path that winds its way around South Skerry. The path offers stunning vistas of the surrounding coastline and provides opportunities for nature photography and hiking. However, caution is advised when venturing close to the cliff edges, as they can be unstable and dangerous.

Overall, South Skerry is a captivating coastal feature in Orkney, offering visitors a glimpse into the region's rugged natural beauty and providing a haven for diverse wildlife.

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South Skerry Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.018892/-2.8240063 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.
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.
Castle Bloody Souterrain This mysterious prehistoric monument is situated near the coast at the highest topographic point on southeast Shapinsay.
Castle Bloody Souterrain
This mysterious prehistoric monument is situated near the coast at the highest topographic point on southeast Shapinsay.
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South Skerry is located at Grid Ref: HY5214 (Lat: 59.018892, Lng: -2.8240063)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///baseballs.beaters.blazing. Near Balfour, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Haco's Ness South Skerry Dead Wife's Geo The Burg Carlins The Maidens

Related Wikis

Castle Bloody
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

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
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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...

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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 59.018892,-2.8240063
Hackosness aka Haco's Ness
Place: locality
Source: OS7
Lat/Long: 59.0190964/-2.8307306
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Savenick Orkney
The Kiln Orkney

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