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The Shoals

Island in Caithness

Scotland

The Shoals

Castle of Old Wick
Castle of Old Wick Credit: Chris Andrews

The Shoals is a small island located off the coast of Caithness in the northern part of Scotland. It is situated in the North Sea, approximately three miles northeast of the mainland. The island is part of the Pentland Firth, which is known for its strong tidal currents and treacherous waters.

The Shoals is a rocky and barren island, with no permanent human population. It is primarily composed of sandstone and shale, with a rugged coastline characterized by towering cliffs and hidden caves. The island is uninhabited due to its remote location and challenging maritime conditions, making it inaccessible and inhospitable for human settlement.

However, The Shoals serves as an important breeding ground for a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. The surrounding waters are rich in marine life, attracting seals, dolphins, and occasional sightings of whales.

The island's isolation and natural beauty make it a popular destination for bird enthusiasts and wildlife photographers. Access to The Shoals is limited to boat trips, with visitors advised to exercise caution due to the turbulent waters and unpredictable weather conditions.

Despite its small size and lack of human presence, The Shoals stands as a testament to the raw power of nature, offering a glimpse into the untamed beauty of the Scottish coastline.

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The Shoals Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.424135/-3.0786812 or Grid Reference ND3748. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Castle of Old Wick
Castle of Old Wick
Coastline at Old Wick
Coastline at Old Wick
The Grey Bools Large grey chunks of sedimentary rocks near Oldwick Castle, known locally as "The Grey Bools"
The Grey Bools
Large grey chunks of sedimentary rocks near Oldwick Castle, known locally as "The Grey Bools"
Castle of Old Wick The ruined remains of possibly the oldest castle in Scotland. It was reputed to have been built by the half Norse, Earl of Caithness, Harald Maddadson, in the 1160's. It is now under the protection of Historic Scotland.
Castle of Old Wick
The ruined remains of possibly the oldest castle in Scotland. It was reputed to have been built by the half Norse, Earl of Caithness, Harald Maddadson, in the 1160's. It is now under the protection of Historic Scotland.
Sea Inlets The coastal scenery around the Old Castle of Wick is amazing with vertiginous cliffs, geos, arches, stacks and rocks that when there is a high sea with an accompanying wind the sea is tumultuous.
Sea Inlets
The coastal scenery around the Old Castle of Wick is amazing with vertiginous cliffs, geos, arches, stacks and rocks that when there is a high sea with an accompanying wind the sea is tumultuous.
MOD Rifle Range A rifle range with all the accoutrements including the sentry boxes when in use.
MOD Rifle Range
A rifle range with all the accoutrements including the sentry boxes when in use.
Headland View The high cliffs to the south of the headland supporting much pretty thrift or pinks as they are also known.
Headland View
The high cliffs to the south of the headland supporting much pretty thrift or pinks as they are also known.
Farm Track Track to Harden the closest farm to the rifle range.
Farm Track
Track to Harden the closest farm to the rifle range.
Coastal Scene Fractured and shattered pavements of slanting rock make this piece of coastline most attractive.
Coastal Scene
Fractured and shattered pavements of slanting rock make this piece of coastline most attractive.
Wild weather
Wild weather
Cliff Face Cliff face at South Head, below the old Coastguard Station
Cliff Face
Cliff face at South Head, below the old Coastguard Station
Wick Business Park Town planners should pay heed to what out of town developments have done to Wick town centre. This retail park and the Tescos on the north side of town have all but killed a once prosperous town centre.
Wick Business Park
Town planners should pay heed to what out of town developments have done to Wick town centre. This retail park and the Tescos on the north side of town have all but killed a once prosperous town centre.
Preparing to climb at the base of the stack As can be seen in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/303584">ND3648 : Sea Stack and Arch</a> there's only a narrow gap between the cliff opposite the stack and the stack itself. Here we can see that we can get to the base of the stack by abseiling down the landward cliff and then jumping/swinging across to the stack. Having climbed the stack the return can then be achieved by tyrolean traverse as in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3510552">ND3648 : Returning from the stack</a> or by abseiling down the stack and then climbing up the cliff on the landward side. Here the team are preparing to climb the southern face of the stack which, whilst not particularly difficult, is a tad loose.
Preparing to climb at the base of the stack
As can be seen in ND3648 : Sea Stack and Arch there's only a narrow gap between the cliff opposite the stack and the stack itself. Here we can see that we can get to the base of the stack by abseiling down the landward cliff and then jumping/swinging across to the stack. Having climbed the stack the return can then be achieved by tyrolean traverse as in ND3648 : Returning from the stack or by abseiling down the stack and then climbing up the cliff on the landward side. Here the team are preparing to climb the southern face of the stack which, whilst not particularly difficult, is a tad loose.
Returning from the stack As can be seen in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3510548">ND3648 : Preparing to climb at the base of the stack</a> it is possible to abseil down the cliff opposite the stack and then jump/swing across onto the stack itself. Having climbed the stack the easiest way back is bring up the abseil rope, set up a tyrolean traverse and to return on that.
Returning from the stack
As can be seen in ND3648 : Preparing to climb at the base of the stack it is possible to abseil down the cliff opposite the stack and then jump/swing across onto the stack itself. Having climbed the stack the easiest way back is bring up the abseil rope, set up a tyrolean traverse and to return on that.
Castle of Old Wick
Castle of Old Wick
A99 south of Wick At the junction with Rockhill Road
A99 south of Wick
At the junction with Rockhill Road
Fields of cut grass south of Wick The uncut grass across the centre of the picture is a track on the route of the old Wick & Lybster Light Railway
Fields of cut grass south of Wick
The uncut grass across the centre of the picture is a track on the route of the old Wick & Lybster Light Railway
Welcome to Wick The A99 enters Wick with the cemetery on the right and the new Wick Retail Park on the left.
Welcome to Wick
The A99 enters Wick with the cemetery on the right and the new Wick Retail Park on the left.
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The Shoals is located at Grid Ref: ND3748 (Lat: 58.424135, Lng: -3.0786812)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///mime.backswing.decisive. Near Wick, Highland

Nearby Locations

South Point The Shoals Castle of Old Wick

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.424135,-3.0786812
Parking
Lat/Long: 58.4239314/-3.0818083
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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