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Back Craig

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Back Craig

Eday - On Vinquoy Hill with view to Carrick House
Eday - On Vinquoy Hill with view to Carrick House Credit: Colin Park

Back Craig is a prominent headland located on the west coast of the island of Orkney, off the northeastern coast of Scotland. Situated approximately 2 kilometers southwest of the village of Birsay, Back Craig is characterized by its rugged cliffs, dramatic scenery, and rich biodiversity.

The headland is made up of layers of sandstone and shale, which have been sculpted by the relentless force of the sea over thousands of years, resulting in steep cliffs that rise up to 50 meters above sea level. These cliffs provide nesting sites for various seabird species, including fulmars, kittiwakes, and guillemots.

Back Craig offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding coastline, with the Atlantic Ocean stretching out to the west and the Orkney mainland visible to the east. On clear days, visitors can even catch a glimpse of the distant Scottish mainland.

The headland is a popular spot for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers who come to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the rugged coast. It is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), as it supports a diverse range of plant and animal species. Rare plants such as sea pink and thrift can be found clinging to the cliff edges, while seals and dolphins can sometimes be spotted in the waters below.

Accessible via a footpath from Birsay, Back Craig offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the untamed beauty of Orkney's coastline and witness the power of nature at work.

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Back Craig Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.221613/-2.7876851 or Grid Reference HY5537. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Eday - On Vinquoy Hill with view to Carrick House
Eday - On Vinquoy Hill with view to Carrick House
Eday; Vinquoy Hill Chambered Cairn
Eday; Vinquoy Hill Chambered Cairn
Eday; Stone of Setter The tallest standing stone on the Orkney Islands
Eday; Stone of Setter
The tallest standing stone on the Orkney Islands
Vinquoy Hill Second TuMP of the day with Jim Bloomer, Richard and Tricky Speirs on a sunny morning on Eday. Name: Vinquoy Hill Hill number:12227 Height: 76m / 249ft Parent (Ma/M):none Area:23: Orkney Islands Class:0 Grid ref: HY561385 (est) Drop: 69m Col: 7m HY556340
Vinquoy Hill
Second TuMP of the day with Jim Bloomer, Richard and Tricky Speirs on a sunny morning on Eday. Name: Vinquoy Hill Hill number:12227 Height: 76m / 249ft Parent (Ma/M):none Area:23: Orkney Islands Class:0 Grid ref: HY561385 (est) Drop: 69m Col: 7m HY556340
Eday: postbox № KW17 89 and phone This postbox is of a modern design, constructed of pressed steel and designed to be more robust, rustproof and theft-proof than the traditional cast iron box that it will have replaced in the last couple of years. The postbox, along with traditional red phone box, stands outside the community shop and post office. While in the midst of redevelopment, the shop currently occupies a large outbuilding at the back, and the post office counter is within a large empty building.
Eday: postbox № KW17 89 and phone
This postbox is of a modern design, constructed of pressed steel and designed to be more robust, rustproof and theft-proof than the traditional cast iron box that it will have replaced in the last couple of years. The postbox, along with traditional red phone box, stands outside the community shop and post office. While in the midst of redevelopment, the shop currently occupies a large outbuilding at the back, and the post office counter is within a large empty building.
Eday: path to Red Head A kissing gate and a fingerpost indicate the way to Red Head, passing the Calf Sound lighthouse.
Eday: path to Red Head
A kissing gate and a fingerpost indicate the way to Red Head, passing the Calf Sound lighthouse.
Eday: a straight wall leads to a straight road Looking along a wall as it descends quite steeply to Carrick Farm. Beyond it, and in the next square east, is the lane leading to the island's main road. The island of Sanday is in the background.
Eday: a straight wall leads to a straight road
Looking along a wall as it descends quite steeply to Carrick Farm. Beyond it, and in the next square east, is the lane leading to the island's main road. The island of Sanday is in the background.
Eday: concrete viewfinder on Vinquoy Hill Looking across Calf Sound from the top of Vinquoy Hill. The diagram, rather crudely drawn, confirms that the island fully in view is the Calf of Eday, and the distant land to the right is Sanday.
Eday: concrete viewfinder on Vinquoy Hill
Looking across Calf Sound from the top of Vinquoy Hill. The diagram, rather crudely drawn, confirms that the island fully in view is the Calf of Eday, and the distant land to the right is Sanday.
Eday: chambered cairn on Vinquoy Hill This ancient burial place is situated just south of the very summit of Vinquoy Hill.
Eday: chambered cairn on Vinquoy Hill
This ancient burial place is situated just south of the very summit of Vinquoy Hill.
Eday: view east along Calf Sound Looking along Calf Sound to the village of the same name, Calfsound, from the slopes of Vinquoy Hill. Sanday is in the distance.
Eday: view east along Calf Sound
Looking along Calf Sound to the village of the same name, Calfsound, from the slopes of Vinquoy Hill. Sanday is in the distance.
Eday: the Stone of Setter An ancient standing stone, standing 15 feet in height, as is perhaps not evident from the photo.
Eday: the Stone of Setter
An ancient standing stone, standing 15 feet in height, as is perhaps not evident from the photo.
Carrick House, Eday Looking west. The eastern tip of Calf of Eday can just be seen, and in the distance, Sanday.
Carrick House, Eday
Looking west. The eastern tip of Calf of Eday can just be seen, and in the distance, Sanday.
Stone of Setter, Isle of Eday The Stone of Setter is a striking landmark on the Isle of Eday it lies just a short distance from Mill Loch where a colony of breeding divers can be seen and heard during the spring. There is a good path up the nearby hill to see an impressive chambered tomb and great views to the other islands from the viewpoint on Vinquoy Hill.
Stone of Setter, Isle of Eday
The Stone of Setter is a striking landmark on the Isle of Eday it lies just a short distance from Mill Loch where a colony of breeding divers can be seen and heard during the spring. There is a good path up the nearby hill to see an impressive chambered tomb and great views to the other islands from the viewpoint on Vinquoy Hill.
Vinquoy chambered tomb Well preserved Maeshowe type tomb with four side chambers.
Vinquoy chambered tomb
Well preserved Maeshowe type tomb with four side chambers.
Mill Loch, Eday Haunt of Loons, especially The Red-throated diver.
Mill Loch, Eday
Haunt of Loons, especially The Red-throated diver.
Threshing mill at Red House Partly restored
Threshing mill at Red House
Partly restored
Hide at Mill Loch, Eday This hide gives good views over the loch, which is frequented by red-throated divers amongst other birds.
Hide at Mill Loch, Eday
This hide gives good views over the loch, which is frequented by red-throated divers amongst other birds.
Stone of Setter, Eday The stone of Setter is across the road from the hide at Mill Loch and is the starting point for a waymarked walk around Red Head, which can be seen in the distance.
Stone of Setter, Eday
The stone of Setter is across the road from the hide at Mill Loch and is the starting point for a waymarked walk around Red Head, which can be seen in the distance.
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Back Craig is located at Grid Ref: HY5537 (Lat: 59.221613, Lng: -2.7876851)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///king.organisms.patrol. Near Backaland, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

South Ayre Head Craig Braehead Cusbay Geo of Crowber Back Craig

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.221613,-2.7876851
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Lat/Long: 59.2175348/-2.7862264
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2192183/-2.7857155
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.2200694/-2.7854982
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Lat/Long: 59.2205813/-2.785348
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Lat/Long: 59.223502/-2.7840123
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Lat/Long: 59.2221937/-2.7845325
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Lat/Long: 59.2221268/-2.7841169
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Broad Ebb Orkney
Head Craig Orkney

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