1. Home
  2. Scotland
  3. Highlands and Islands
  4. Orkney Islands
  5. Orkney
  6. Point of Burrian

Point of Burrian

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Point of Burrian

Holland House from Nouster, North Ronaldsay
Holland House from Nouster, North Ronaldsay Credit: Mike Pennington

Point of Burrian is a prominent coastal feature located in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. This headland stands out due to its distinct geographical formation and its strategic location at the northeastern corner of Westray, one of the main islands in Orkney.

The Point of Burrian is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which rise up to approximately 60 meters above sea level. The cliffs are composed of sandstone and are deeply eroded by the relentless action of the North Atlantic Ocean. This erosion has created numerous sea caves and arches along the coastline, adding to the natural beauty and intrigue of the area.

The headland is also home to a significant seabird colony, attracting ornithologists and nature enthusiasts from all over the world. It is particularly renowned for its large population of puffins, which nest in the cliffs during the breeding season. Other seabird species, such as guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars, can also be observed in abundance.

Visitors to Point of Burrian can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding sea and neighboring islands. The headland offers opportunities for coastal walks, providing visitors with a chance to explore the stunning cliffs and observe the diverse marine life. The area is also a popular spot for birdwatching and photography.

Overall, Point of Burrian is a captivating coastal feature in Orkney, offering a combination of dramatic cliffs, remarkable sea caves, and a thriving seabird colony, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking to experience the raw beauty of the Scottish coastline.

Show me another place!

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

Point of Burrian Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.34761/-2.4185228 or Grid Reference HY7651. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Holland House from Nouster, North Ronaldsay
Holland House from Nouster, North Ronaldsay
Nouster Bay, North Ronaldsay Although named South Bay on OS maps, this is known as Nouster Bay locally.
Nouster Bay, North Ronaldsay
Although named South Bay on OS maps, this is known as Nouster Bay locally.
Nouster Bay, North Ronaldsay Looking across towards the pier; although named South Bay on OS maps, the bay is known as Nouster Bay locally.
Nouster Bay, North Ronaldsay
Looking across towards the pier; although named South Bay on OS maps, the bay is known as Nouster Bay locally.
South Bay, North Ronaldsay, from the air
South Bay, North Ronaldsay, from the air
Off loading cars from MV Earl Sigard at North Ronaldsay North Ronaldsay is the only inhabited island in the Orkney Islands where vehicles need to be craned off and on.
Off loading cars from MV Earl Sigard at North Ronaldsay
North Ronaldsay is the only inhabited island in the Orkney Islands where vehicles need to be craned off and on.
On North Ronaldsay - South Bay
On North Ronaldsay - South Bay
On North Ronaldsay - walking from the jetty towards Holland
On North Ronaldsay - walking from the jetty towards Holland
Old mills at Nesstoun, North Ronaldsay The large building is a watermill, built in 1907 to replace another nearby. The conical stump is the base of Peckhouse Windmill which had a wooden upper structure.
Old mills at Nesstoun, North Ronaldsay
The large building is a watermill, built in 1907 to replace another nearby. The conical stump is the base of Peckhouse Windmill which had a wooden upper structure.
Nouster Bay, North Ronaldsay, from the air Named South Bay on the maps but known as Nouster Bay on the island. Twingness and Loch Gretchen are in the background.
Nouster Bay, North Ronaldsay, from the air
Named South Bay on the maps but known as Nouster Bay on the island. Twingness and Loch Gretchen are in the background.
Dunes behind Nouster Bay, North Ronaldsay, from the air Loch Gretchen is in the background.
Dunes behind Nouster Bay, North Ronaldsay, from the air
Loch Gretchen is in the background.
North Ronaldsay pier from the air
North Ronaldsay pier from the air
View to the rest of Orkney from North Ronaldsay From near the Bird Observatory, looking towards, if I remember correctly, Sanday, Eday and Rousay.
View to the rest of Orkney from North Ronaldsay
From near the Bird Observatory, looking towards, if I remember correctly, Sanday, Eday and Rousay.
Midsummer sunset at the North Ronaldsay standing stone There appears to be no significance to the alignment of the stone according to the solstice, although the stone does appear to aligned with the setting sun at the equinox.
Midsummer sunset at the North Ronaldsay standing stone
There appears to be no significance to the alignment of the stone according to the solstice, although the stone does appear to aligned with the setting sun at the equinox.
Coastal View Near North Ronaldsay Pier
Coastal View Near North Ronaldsay Pier
Pier at North Ronaldsay
Pier at North Ronaldsay
North Ronaldsay sheep The sheep are a special breed which has evolved to eat seaweed. All access to the shore is fenced to stop them getting onto pastures as their digestive systems cannot cope with grass.
North Ronaldsay sheep
The sheep are a special breed which has evolved to eat seaweed. All access to the shore is fenced to stop them getting onto pastures as their digestive systems cannot cope with grass.
Burrian Broch, North Ronaldsay
Burrian Broch, North Ronaldsay
South Bay beach on North Ronaldsay Sheep on the South Bay beach near Nouster at the southern end of North Ronaldsay, the most Northerly Orkney Island. The Sheep famously spend most of the year grazing only on the beach and seaweed, kept there by a 13 mile drystone dyke, maintained by the community, that circles the entire island.
South Bay beach on North Ronaldsay
Sheep on the South Bay beach near Nouster at the southern end of North Ronaldsay, the most Northerly Orkney Island. The Sheep famously spend most of the year grazing only on the beach and seaweed, kept there by a 13 mile drystone dyke, maintained by the community, that circles the entire island.
Show me another place!

Point of Burrian is located at Grid Ref: HY7651 (Lat: 59.34761, Lng: -2.4185228)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///carrots.mixer.cadet. Near Hollandstoun, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Blue Clett Point of Burrian Strom Ness Scarffie Geo Kist of Burrigar Ship Geo

Related Wikis

Broch of Burrian
Broch of Burrian

The Broch of Burrian is an Iron Age broch located on North Ronaldsay in the Orkney Islands, in Scotland (grid reference HY76275138). == Location == The...

Bustatoun
Bustatoun

Bustatoun is a village on the island of North Ronaldsay, in Orkney, Scotland. The settlement is within the parish of Cross and Burness. == References... ==

North Ronaldsay Airport
North Ronaldsay Airport

North Ronaldsay Airport (IATA: NRL, ICAO: EGEN) is located on North Ronaldsay island, 28 NM (52 km; 32 mi) northeast by north of Kirkwall, Orkney Islands...

Ancumtoun
Ancumtoun

Ancumtoun is a small settlement in the north of the island of North Ronaldsay, Orkney, Scotland. The settlement is within the parish of Cross and Burness...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.34761,-2.4185228
Created By: almien_coastlines mod
Lat/Long: 59.351376/-2.41555
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Broch of Burrian
Historic: archaeological_site
Wikidata: Q15108049
Wikipedia: en:Broch of Burrian
Lat/Long: 59.3480729/-2.4189244
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Point of Burrian
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 59.3476855/-2.4183048
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Clett Sweyn Orkney
Ship Geo Orkney

Have you been to Point of Burrian?

Leave your review of Point of Burrian below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy