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The Noust

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Orkney

Scotland

The Noust

Ruin and trig point at Breck, Westray
Ruin and trig point at Breck, Westray Credit: Alpin Stewart

The Noust is a picturesque coastal marsh located in Orkney, Scotland. Nestled between the rugged cliffs and the North Sea, it is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife. The marsh is characterized by its unique ecosystem, consisting of a complex network of saltwater channels, tidal creeks, and mud flats, collectively known as saltings.

Covering an area of approximately 100 acres, The Noust is a haven for a wide range of plant and animal species. The marsh is particularly known for its abundance of birdlife, with numerous species making it their home or stopping by during their migratory journeys. Visitors can expect to spot a variety of wading birds, such as curlews, oystercatchers, and redshanks, as well as terns and gulls hovering above the estuary.

The saltmarsh vegetation in The Noust is equally impressive. The marsh is covered in a rich carpet of grasses, sedges, and herbs, which provide a vital habitat for numerous insects and invertebrates. The area is also home to rare plants such as sea aster and sea lavender, adding to its ecological significance.

The Noust offers visitors a chance to explore and experience the raw beauty of the Orkney coast. Walking along the marsh's well-maintained trails, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding cliffs, the expansive sea, and the ever-changing tides. The peace and tranquility of the marsh make it an ideal spot for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and photographers alike.

In summary, The Noust in Orkney is a stunning coastal marsh that offers a unique and diverse ecosystem. With its rich birdlife, saltmarsh vegetation, and breathtaking scenery, it is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a true connection with nature.

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The Noust Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.353359/-2.9513201 or Grid Reference HY4652. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ruin and trig point at Breck, Westray
Ruin and trig point at Breck, Westray
Rocks at Bow Head, Westray
Rocks at Bow Head, Westray
Rocks at Bow Head, Westray
Rocks at Bow Head, Westray
The Vian, Aikerness, Westray
The Vian, Aikerness, Westray
Field at Trenabie, Westray
Field at Trenabie, Westray
Airport Gate There's not much risk of anyone failing to spot the warning notices at Westray Airport!
Airport Gate
There's not much risk of anyone failing to spot the warning notices at Westray Airport!
Skaill The farm at Skaill stands on a gentle slope with a good view of the airport.
Skaill
The farm at Skaill stands on a gentle slope with a good view of the airport.
Field Beside the Airport In fact the crosswind runway is just over the fence on the far side of this field.
Field Beside the Airport
In fact the crosswind runway is just over the fence on the far side of this field.
Westray Airport One of the airport staff kindly escorted me airside so that I could photograph the two grid squares just beyond the gate. This is looking towards the north end of the grass runway, with the north of Papa Westray in the distance.
Westray Airport
One of the airport staff kindly escorted me airside so that I could photograph the two grid squares just beyond the gate. This is looking towards the north end of the grass runway, with the north of Papa Westray in the distance.
Westray Airport One of the airport staff kindly escorted me airside so that I could photograph the two grid squares just beyond the gate. This shows the main tarmac runway, and the south end of the grass runway.
Westray Airport
One of the airport staff kindly escorted me airside so that I could photograph the two grid squares just beyond the gate. This shows the main tarmac runway, and the south end of the grass runway.
Terminal Building These are the buildings at Westray Airport. The terminal on the left and the fire station on the right, the fire engine ready with engine running in case it is needed. It wasn't, of course.
Terminal Building
These are the buildings at Westray Airport. The terminal on the left and the fire station on the right, the fire engine ready with engine running in case it is needed. It wasn't, of course.
G-BLDV Taxiing to the Terminal G-BLDV is one of the Loganair fleet operating the Orkney inter-island service. It is a Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd BN2B Islander with seats for eight passengers. It was built in 1984 and powered by twin Lycoming O-540-E4C5 engines, and it had flown just over 19,000 hours at its last annual inspection.
G-BLDV Taxiing to the Terminal
G-BLDV is one of the Loganair fleet operating the Orkney inter-island service. It is a Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd BN2B Islander with seats for eight passengers. It was built in 1984 and powered by twin Lycoming O-540-E4C5 engines, and it had flown just over 19,000 hours at its last annual inspection.
Windywalls Like most of the farms here, Windywalls stands on slightly higher ground.
Windywalls
Like most of the farms here, Windywalls stands on slightly higher ground.
The Ouse The Ouse is a shallow sandy bay in the north of Westray. The buildings on the far side of the bay are at Hahouse.
The Ouse
The Ouse is a shallow sandy bay in the north of Westray. The buildings on the far side of the bay are at Hahouse.
The Ouse The Ouse is a bay of fine white sand, almost cut by the Ayre of Ouse, a spit of sand that extends most of the way across the bay.
The Ouse
The Ouse is a bay of fine white sand, almost cut by the Ayre of Ouse, a spit of sand that extends most of the way across the bay.
Old Milestone by the B9066, Aikerness, Westray parish Stone post by the B9066, in parish of Westray (District), South of bungalow, on verge, East side of road. Inscription reads:- : P / 2 : : T / 1 : (To Pierowall and Trenabie) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_WYPWTN02
Old Milestone by the B9066, Aikerness, Westray parish
Stone post by the B9066, in parish of Westray (District), South of bungalow, on verge, East side of road. Inscription reads:- : P / 2 : : T / 1 : (To Pierowall and Trenabie) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: OR_WYPWTN02
Bay of Skaill
Bay of Skaill
Bay of Skaill
Bay of Skaill
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The Noust is located at Grid Ref: HY4652 (Lat: 59.353359, Lng: -2.9513201)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///twit.duke.excavate. Near Pierowall, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

The Vian Papa Sound The Noust Holm of Aikerness

Related Wikis

Westray Airport
Westray Airport

Westray Airport (IATA: WRY, ICAO: EGEW) is an airport at Aikerness, on Westray in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is best known for being one of the two...

Quoygrew settlement, Westray
Quoygrew settlement, Westray

Quoygrew, Westray is the site of a medieval Norse settlement on the island of Westray in Orkney, Scotland. Established as a small farmstead most likely...

Knap of Howar
Knap of Howar

The Knap of Howar () on the island of Papa Westray in Orkney, Scotland is a Neolithic farmstead which may be the oldest preserved stone house in northern...

St Boniface's Church, Papa Westray
St Boniface's Church, Papa Westray

St Boniface's Church, Papa Westray is a historic church and graveyard located on the island of Papa Westray in Orkney, Scotland. The site of the church...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.353359,-2.9513201
Aeroway: threshold
Ele: 8.8
Ref: 09
Lat/Long: 59.3497796/-2.9541814
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Aeroway: threshold
Ele: 7.6
Ref: 13
Lat/Long: 59.3519138/-2.9517396
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Aeroway: threshold
Ele: 4.6
Ref: 27
Lat/Long: 59.3502405/-2.9464825
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Aeroway: helipad
Lat/Long: 59.3513182/-2.9514162
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Description: Skaill - Long Cist Cemetery (Early Medieval)
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 59.352378/-2.9571925
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Cist and Saddle Quern
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 59.3525493/-2.9514668
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The Noust
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 59.3533887/-2.9520588
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.3511218/-2.9587332
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.3515758/-2.9573309
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.351908/-2.9561923
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Ele: 18.897
Man Made: survey_point
Ref: S9325
Survey Point Structure: pillar
Lat/Long: 59.3555967/-2.9584441
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Defibrillator
Defibrillator Location: Westray Airport. External wall facing road, right hand side of entrance.
Emergency: defibrillator
Indoor: no
Lat/Long: 59.3510165/-2.951587
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Hutton Marsh Lancashire
Point of Steedie Orkney

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