Hobbister

Settlement in Orkney

Scotland

Hobbister

Old mill at Kirbister, Orkney
Old mill at Kirbister, Orkney Credit: Alpin Stewart

Hobbister is a small rural settlement located in the Orkney Islands, an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland. Situated in the western part of the Mainland, the largest island in Orkney, Hobbister is surrounded by picturesque landscapes characterized by rolling hills, rugged cliffs, and breathtaking coastal views.

The village itself is comprised of a handful of traditional stone houses, reflecting the area's rich history and heritage. Despite its small size, Hobbister boasts a close-knit community, known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere. Many residents are involved in farming, with fertile land and a favorable climate supporting agricultural activities such as sheep and cattle rearing.

Hobbister's location offers residents and visitors alike the opportunity to explore the natural wonders of Orkney. Just a short distance from the village is the stunning Yesnaby Cliffs, a popular attraction known for its dramatic rock formations and nesting seabird colonies. Additionally, the nearby Bay of Skaill is home to Skara Brae, a Neolithic settlement dating back over 5,000 years, making it one of the most important archaeological sites in the United Kingdom.

While Hobbister lacks commercial facilities, amenities can be found in nearby towns such as Stromness and Kirkwall, which offer a range of shops, restaurants, and services. The village is well-connected by road, ensuring easy access to the rest of the Mainland and the other islands in the Orkney archipelago.

Overall, Hobbister embodies the charm of rural Orkney, providing residents and visitors with a tranquil and picturesque setting to enjoy the beauty of the islands and explore their rich history.

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

Hobbister Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.941083/-3.0747026 or Grid Reference HY3806. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old mill at Kirbister, Orkney
Old mill at Kirbister, Orkney
Moorland near Greenigoe
Moorland near Greenigoe
Skaith from the A964 The Skaith sits between the north-western end of Waulkmill Bay and the Loch of Kirbister.
Skaith from the A964
The Skaith sits between the north-western end of Waulkmill Bay and the Loch of Kirbister.
Water tank platform Mostly degraded but was a tank storing pumped water to supply nearby housing in the middle of last Century.
a revisit to <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2303631" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2303631">Link</a>
Water tank platform
Mostly degraded but was a tank storing pumped water to supply nearby housing in the middle of last Century. a revisit to Link
Cot on the Hill - Orphir Gradually tumbling.
Probably empty since 1970s
Cot on the Hill - Orphir
Gradually tumbling. Probably empty since 1970s
Waulkmill Pools Waulkmill Bay is 15 minutes from my home.  It has a lot of moods, with sands exposed, tidal pools, birds and flotsam - it is a favourite place. In November, few people take to descending from the nearby road.
Waulkmill Pools
Waulkmill Bay is 15 minutes from my home. It has a lot of moods, with sands exposed, tidal pools, birds and flotsam - it is a favourite place. In November, few people take to descending from the nearby road.
Waulkmill Bay - tide's out A well visited part of Orkney. But in early winter few people wander these sands. Quite recently I watched a light aircraft do two bumps and circuits onto the sands at the edge of daylight. I'd like to have been in the cockpit.
Waulkmill Bay - tide's out
A well visited part of Orkney. But in early winter few people wander these sands. Quite recently I watched a light aircraft do two bumps and circuits onto the sands at the edge of daylight. I'd like to have been in the cockpit.
Waulkmill's River Mill Burn stays near the west edge of the bay as it drains from the Skaith - it has a strong predictable route. It is easy to cross, even in Wellies, in places. Where the burn exists the Skaith there is one of Orkney's best sites for Horned Wrack - Fucus ceranoides.
See <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4751187" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4751187">Link</a>
Waulkmill's River
Mill Burn stays near the west edge of the bay as it drains from the Skaith - it has a strong predictable route. It is easy to cross, even in Wellies, in places. Where the burn exists the Skaith there is one of Orkney's best sites for Horned Wrack - Fucus ceranoides. See Link
Horned Wrack - Fucus ceranoides In the outlet from the Skaith to Waulkmill Bay a huge swathe of this rather uncommon seaweed. It only really thrives in a mixture of sea and freshwater. It is also known as the Estuary Wrack. See <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesfullreview.php?speciesID=3344" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesfullreview.php?speciesID=3344">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>
and <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.ispotnature.org/node/688049" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.ispotnature.org/node/688049">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>
and <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.ispotnature.org/node/690270" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.ispotnature.org/node/690270">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>
Horned Wrack - Fucus ceranoides
In the outlet from the Skaith to Waulkmill Bay a huge swathe of this rather uncommon seaweed. It only really thrives in a mixture of sea and freshwater. It is also known as the Estuary Wrack. See LinkExternal link and LinkExternal link and LinkExternal link
Alien arrival, edge of daylight Looking from the A964 over the Skaith (the Geo-subject) and out into Scapa Flow and beyond, though the gloom, to South Ronaldsay, is the semi-submersible Regalia.
The picture, taken on the very edge of daylight plays tricks on the imagination. But sure enough she is out there, in position 58°55'9.37" 3°1'16.27" (precisely)
See  <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.prosafe.com/regalia/category137.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.prosafe.com/regalia/category137.html">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>
Alien arrival, edge of daylight
Looking from the A964 over the Skaith (the Geo-subject) and out into Scapa Flow and beyond, though the gloom, to South Ronaldsay, is the semi-submersible Regalia. The picture, taken on the very edge of daylight plays tricks on the imagination. But sure enough she is out there, in position 58°55'9.37" 3°1'16.27" (precisely) See LinkExternal link
Grassland from A964 Rough pastures here where sheep graze. Scapa Flow visible in background.
Grassland from A964
Rough pastures here where sheep graze. Scapa Flow visible in background.
Track to Old Schoolhouse Viewed from the A964.
Track to Old Schoolhouse
Viewed from the A964.
Track towards Scapa Flow Provides access to the Hobbister nature reserve.
Track towards Scapa Flow
Provides access to the Hobbister nature reserve.
Cattle near Hobbister
Cattle near Hobbister
Tractor under cover At Kirbister Mill.
Tractor under cover
At Kirbister Mill.
Study Zone Part of a 100m x 100m Study area.
The aim is to identify 100 organisms with the same 6 figure Grid Reference.
The study is to be spread over four seasons but may not strictly represent Seasonal organisms.
The specific area was chosen for its diversity, which includes Aspen trees, seaweeds, marine fauna, maritime heath and typical coastal-cliff plants
Another image that shows part of the area is <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4551850" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4551850">Link</a>
The biological recording is seen here <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.ispotnature.org/communities/uk-and-ireland/view/project/746155/100-x-100-x-100-orkney" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.ispotnature.org/communities/uk-and-ireland/view/project/746155/100-x-100-x-100-orkney">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>
Study Zone
Part of a 100m x 100m Study area. The aim is to identify 100 organisms with the same 6 figure Grid Reference. The study is to be spread over four seasons but may not strictly represent Seasonal organisms. The specific area was chosen for its diversity, which includes Aspen trees, seaweeds, marine fauna, maritime heath and typical coastal-cliff plants Another image that shows part of the area is Link The biological recording is seen here LinkExternal link
Starabir on the edge of the Hobbister Hill moorland On the north side of Scapa Flow.  The horizon is the Island of Hoy.
Starabir on the edge of the Hobbister Hill moorland
On the north side of Scapa Flow. The horizon is the Island of Hoy.
The track by Waulkmill Bay Tankers in the sea beyond (Scapa Flow), probably awaiting loading at the oil terminal on Flotta.
The track by Waulkmill Bay
Tankers in the sea beyond (Scapa Flow), probably awaiting loading at the oil terminal on Flotta.
Show me another place!

Hobbister is located at Grid Ref: HY3806 (Lat: 58.941083, Lng: -3.0747026)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///lunge.increases.rival. Near Orphir, Orkney Islands

Related Wikis

Waulkmill Bay

Waulkmill Bay is a tidal bay on the southwest of Mainland Orkney, Scotland. This bay and its immediately surrounding area have been identified as a Site...

Loch of Kirbister

The Loch of Kirbister is a small, shallow, somewhat triangular-shaped loch located on Mainland Orkney, Scotland, in the parish of Orphir. It lies 5 mi...

BBC Radio Orkney

BBC Radio Orkney is a local opt-out service of BBC Radio Scotland, covering the Orkney Islands. The station is based in Castle Street, Kirkwall, Orkney...

BBC Radio nan Gàidheal

BBC Radio nan Gàidheal is a Scottish Gaelic language radio station owned and operated by BBC Scotland, a division of the BBC. The station was launched...

Orphir

Orphir (pronounced , Old Norse: Jorfjara/Orfjara) is a parish and settlement on Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It is approximately 9 miles (14 kilometres...

Scapa Flow

Scapa Flow (; from Old Norse Skalpaflói 'bay of the long isthmus') is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, sheltered by the islands of Mainland...

Mainland, Orkney

The Mainland, also known as Hrossey and Pomona, is the main island of Orkney, Scotland. Both of Orkney's burghs, Kirkwall and Stromness, lie on the island...

Orphir Round Church

The remains of the Orphir Round Church (or Round Kirk), also St Nicholas's Church, are located in Orphir Parish on the Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It has...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.941083,-3.0747026
Toilets
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 58.9406038/-3.073667
Hobbister Hill
Natural: hill
Lat/Long: 58.9413197/-3.0682242
Waulkmill Bay
Lat/Long: 58.9367738/-3.075521
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.9412776/-3.0665508
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.9421798/-3.0664784
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.9451728/-3.0769873
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.9451119/-3.0757695
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.9450302/-3.0745947
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.9449624/-3.0733421
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.944896/-3.0721459
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.9448185/-3.0709067
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 58.9447563/-3.0697346
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Hobbister?

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