The Cletts

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Orkney

Scotland

The Cletts

Shag, Papa Westray Stood on the cliffs at the RSPB reserve of North Hill on Papay Westray — Shag, Papa Westray Credit: hayley green

The Cletts is a coastal marsh and saltings located in the Orkney Islands, situated in the northeastern part of Scotland. This unique natural area encompasses a diverse range of habitats and is renowned for its ecological significance and breathtaking beauty.

Stretching along the coastline, The Cletts boasts a dynamic landscape characterized by a mixture of salt marshes, mudflats, and coastal grasslands. The marshes are influenced by the tides, resulting in a constantly changing environment that supports a rich variety of flora and fauna. The area is particularly known for its extensive saltmarsh vegetation, including salt-tolerant plants such as sea lavender, sea aster, and sea purslane.

The Cletts provides an important habitat for numerous bird species, serving as a vital stopover point during migration and a breeding ground for many coastal birds. Visitors to the area may be lucky enough to spot a range of species, including waders such as redshank, curlew, and oystercatchers, as well as terns, gulls, and various waterfowl.

In addition to its ecological significance, The Cletts also offers a peaceful and serene setting for visitors to enjoy. Its unspoiled natural beauty, with panoramic views of the coastline and the surrounding sea, makes it a popular spot for birdwatching, nature walks, and photography.

The Cletts is a protected area, managed by local conservation organizations, to ensure the preservation of its unique habitats and the species that rely on them. It serves as a valuable reminder of the importance of conserving our natural heritage and offers a remarkable opportunity to connect with the untamed beauty of the Orkney Islands.

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The Cletts Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.368177/-2.8703781 or Grid Reference HY5053. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Shag, Papa Westray

Stood on the cliffs at the RSPB reserve of North Hill on Papay Westray

hayley green

Waves, up towards the top of North Hill, Papa Westray

hayley green

Two Ponies

Two ponies in a field above the beach with a distant view towards Hundland.

Rude Health

View Along Fence And Wall Near Berry Hill

Rude Health

Three Fulmars On Papa Westray

Rude Health

Great Auk Memorial

Memorial to last Great Auk killed in Britain in 1813, Fowl Craig, Papa Westray.

Jonathan Taylor

Great Auk Statue

This commemorates the last breeding Great Auk in Britain, it was shot in 1813. Great Auks are now extinct.

Shirley Grant

Loch of Ness

The Loch of Ness and the bay of North Wick beyond, on Papay (Papa Westray), Orkney.

Shirley Grant

Near Fowl Flag

The north-east cliffs of Mull Head on Papa Westray

Lis Burke

Fowl Craig

As its name suggests, a nesting site for seabirds. This is within the RSPB North Hill reserve on Papa Westray.

Lis Burke

Arctic skua

Known as a scootie allan in Orkney, this bird feeds by harassing kittiwakes and terns into dropping their catch of fish. There are light and dark morphs (or varieties), as well as intermediate morphs. This is a light one. Around 100 pairs nest on the North Hill reserve.

Rob Burke

Guillemots and razorbills on Fowl Craig

The guillemots are the grey and white birds to the right of the picture. The ledges of the craig provide nest sites for 200 razorbills and 1600 guillemots.

Rob Burke

Razorbill on Fowl Craig, Papa Westray

Only a small part of the craig can be seen from the cliff-top path, but this razorbill obligingly stood at a corner.

Rob Burke

Canoes at the roadside

Overlooking the tidal Loch of the Taing and North Wick on Papa Westray

Lis Burke

House at Hundland

A traditional Papa Westray house, long and low.

Lis Burke

Chambered Cairn Remains

Remains of chambered cairn at the north end of Holm of Papa. In the distance you can just see the impressive Chambered Cairn at the south end of this tiny island and I think the longest chambered cairn in Orkney. There were Fulmars nesting in the stalls of the chambered cairn in the foreground.

Adam Ward