1. Home
  2. Scotland
  3. Highlands and Islands
  4. Orkney Islands
  5. Orkney
  6. Rigni Rowens

Rigni Rowens

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Rigni Rowens

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

Rigni Rowens is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, an archipelago in northern Scotland. It is characterized as a headland or point, jutting out into the North Sea. With its rugged cliffs and stunning views, Rigni Rowens attracts both locals and tourists alike.

The headland is situated on the eastern coast of Orkney, near the village of St. Mary's. It is marked by steep slopes and rocky terrain, which provide a dramatic backdrop to the surrounding landscape. The cliffs, which rise to a height of approximately 50 meters, are composed of layers of sedimentary rock, showcasing the geological history of the area.

Visitors to Rigni Rowens can enjoy panoramic vistas of the North Sea and its ever-changing moods. The headland offers an ideal vantage point for observing seabirds such as fulmars, puffins, and guillemots, which nest in the cliffs during the breeding season. The crashing waves against the rocks create a mesmerizing spectacle, especially during stormy weather.

The area surrounding Rigni Rowens is rich in history and heritage. Nearby, there are archaeological sites dating back thousands of years, including Neolithic settlements and burial mounds. These sites provide valuable insights into the lives of the ancient inhabitants of Orkney.

Accessible by foot or by boat, Rigni Rowens is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its unspoiled beauty and cultural significance make it a truly remarkable coastal feature in Orkney.

Show me another place!

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

Rigni Rowens Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.027623/-2.8066906 or Grid Reference HY5315. 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 quarry, Shapinsay, Orkney Described in a local guide book as being an out of the wind suntrap.
Former quarry, Shapinsay, Orkney
Described in a local guide book as being an out of the wind suntrap.
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.
Show me another place!

Rigni Rowens is located at Grid Ref: HY5315 (Lat: 59.027623, Lng: -2.8066906)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///stolen.milky.paper. Near Balfour, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

The Foot Loadbery Scarvie Clett Holm of Burghlee Rigni Rowens The Dochins

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
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

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...

Rough of Rerwick Orkney
Cowton Rocks East Lothian

Have you been to Rigni Rowens?

Leave your review of Rigni Rowens below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy