Castle Geo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Castle Geo

Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney Uninhabited tidal islands linked to the island of Sanday at low tide.
Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney Credit: Karl Cooper

Castle Geo is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, an archipelago in Scotland. It is a headland or point that juts out into the North Sea, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The castle is situated on the top of the headland, adding to its picturesque appeal.

The headland itself is characterized by steep cliffs that drop dramatically into the sea, creating a striking and dramatic coastline. The rocky terrain is covered in lush vegetation, adding a touch of greenery to the otherwise rugged landscape. The headland is also home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, fulmars, and guillemots, making it a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.

Castle Geo, as the name suggests, is a castle that stands proudly on the headland. The castle dates back to the 16th century and is a prominent historical landmark in the area. It was originally built as a defensive structure, providing protection to the local population against potential invaders. Over the years, the castle has undergone various renovations and alterations, but it still retains its original charm and architectural features.

Visitors to Castle Geo can explore the ruins of the castle and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline. The headland offers opportunities for hiking and walking, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area. The castle and headland are also popular spots for photography, with numerous picturesque vistas to capture.

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Castle Geo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.300128/-2.6200212 or Grid Reference HY6446. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney Uninhabited tidal islands linked to the island of Sanday at low tide.
Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
Uninhabited tidal islands linked to the island of Sanday at low tide.
View across Roos Loch, Sanday Roos Loch is now land locked with a barrier that can be seen just left of the building in the centre.
View across Roos Loch, Sanday
Roos Loch is now land locked with a barrier that can be seen just left of the building in the centre.
Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire One of many such cairns on the Holms of Ire and adjacent part of Sanday
Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire
One of many such cairns on the Holms of Ire and adjacent part of Sanday
Inlet within Inner Sound at Holms of Ire
Inlet within Inner Sound at Holms of Ire
Rocks near Craw's Nest Prominent cairns atop the Holms of Ire can be seen in the distance.
Rocks near Craw's Nest
Prominent cairns atop the Holms of Ire can be seen in the distance.
Rock slabs on the more northerly of the Holms of Ire
Rock slabs on the more northerly of the Holms of Ire
Seawashed rocks near the Lotheran One of the more remote spots off Sanday, reached only with a risk of getting cut off by the rising tide.
Seawashed rocks near the Lotheran
One of the more remote spots off Sanday, reached only with a risk of getting cut off by the rising tide.
Natural Arch near Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
Natural Arch near Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
Airon, Sanday, Orkney
Airon, Sanday, Orkney
Sign for Roo, Sanday, Orkney The property is spelt Rue on the OS map.
Sign for Roo, Sanday, Orkney
The property is spelt Rue on the OS map.
The Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney The Holms are two islands accessible at low tide.
The Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
The Holms are two islands accessible at low tide.
Quarry, Sanday, Orkney The quarry lies on the western coast of the peninsula forming the NW tip of Sanday, below the Holms of Ire.  <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2561603">HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire</a> can be seen on the horizon.
Quarry, Sanday, Orkney
The quarry lies on the western coast of the peninsula forming the NW tip of Sanday, below the Holms of Ire. HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire can be seen on the horizon.
Stonebreaker, Sanday, Orkney The machine is inscribed,
"Rob Broadbent & Son Stalybridge
Blake Stonebreaker 8077"
and it lies some 150m to the NW of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3770987">HY6544 : Quarry, Sanday, Orkney</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2561603">HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire</a> can be seen on the horizon.
Stonebreaker, Sanday, Orkney
The machine is inscribed, "Rob Broadbent & Son Stalybridge Blake Stonebreaker 8077" and it lies some 150m to the NW of HY6544 : Quarry, Sanday, Orkney. HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire can be seen on the horizon.
Planticrubs, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney According to the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland's thesaurus, a planticrub (or planticrue) is "a small square, circular or rectangular enclosure used for growing root crops, usually without an entrance".

At <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/3499/details/sanday+holms+of+ire" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/3499/details/sanday+holms+of+ire">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> these ones are described as 

"a spectacular and well-preserved row of 4 circular and 2
square plantie-crus each 1.5m high to top of wall which in most
cases is complete, average 4.2m across, without openings".
Planticrubs, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
According to the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland's thesaurus, a planticrub (or planticrue) is "a small square, circular or rectangular enclosure used for growing root crops, usually without an entrance". At LinkExternal link these ones are described as "a spectacular and well-preserved row of 4 circular and 2 square plantie-crus each 1.5m high to top of wall which in most cases is complete, average 4.2m across, without openings".
Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney This cairn is on the outer holm.  There are similar cairns located nearby on the inner holm (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4336569">HY6446 : Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney</a>) and on the main island (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2561603">HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire</a>).
Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
This cairn is on the outer holm. There are similar cairns located nearby on the inner holm (HY6446 : Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney) and on the main island (HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire).
Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney This cairn is on the inner holm. There are similar cairns located nearby on the outer holm (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4336564">HY6446 : Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney</a>) and on the main island (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2561603">HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire</a>).
Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
This cairn is on the inner holm. There are similar cairns located nearby on the outer holm (HY6446 : Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney) and on the main island (HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire).
Ayre of Roo Beach cutting off the Roos Loch.
Ayre of Roo
Beach cutting off the Roos Loch.
Beach, Roos Wick The white sand produces some fine colours in the sea.
Beach, Roos Wick
The white sand produces some fine colours in the sea.
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Castle Geo is located at Grid Ref: HY6446 (Lat: 59.300128, Lng: -2.6200212)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///driving.scrapped.highbrow. Near Kettletoft, Orkney Islands

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