Southerquoy

Settlement in Orkney

Scotland

Southerquoy

Southerquoy is a small village located on the island of Orkney, off the northeastern coast of Scotland. Situated within the parish of Sandwick, Southerquoy is nestled along the eastern coastline, offering stunning views of the North Sea.

The village is characterized by its picturesque landscape, with rolling green hills, rugged cliffs, and pristine sandy beaches. It is a rural community, with a small population primarily engaged in farming and fishing activities. The area is known for its fertile soil, making it ideal for agriculture, particularly the cultivation of barley and potatoes.

Southerquoy is home to a few traditional stone houses, typical of the Orkney architecture, which blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings. The village also boasts a small church, serving as a place of worship for the local community.

For nature enthusiasts, Southerquoy offers an abundance of wildlife and birdwatching opportunities. The nearby coastline is a popular spot for observing seabirds, such as puffins and guillemots, while seals can often be spotted basking on the rocks. The village is also a gateway to the stunning coastline of Sandwick Bay, where visitors can enjoy scenic walks and explore the sandy beaches.

Although Southerquoy is a peaceful and tranquil village, it is conveniently located within a short distance of the larger towns of Kirkwall and Stromness, where visitors can find a wider range of amenities, shops, and cultural attractions. Overall, Southerquoy is a charming and idyllic destination, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and rural tranquility.

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Southerquoy Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.033059/-3.3432845 or Grid Reference HY2317. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Skara Brae - 1979

Skara Brae is a large stone-built Neolithic settlement, located on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It consists of ten clustered houses, and was occupied from roughly 3180 BC–2500 BC. Europe's most complete Neolithic village, Skara Brae gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status as one of four sites comprising "The Heart of Neolithic Orkney." Older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, it has been called the "Scottish Pompeii" because of its excellent preservation.

Helmut Zozmann

Skara Brae - 1979

Helmut Zozmann

Bay of Skaill - 1979

The Bay of Skaill is a small bay on the west coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. Bay of Skaill is the location of the famous Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, and a large residence, Skaill House, the property of the laird on whose estate Skara Brae was discovered.

Helmut Zozmann

Yesnaby Head

A peaceful day on this windswept headland. Tidal power ship lies off Hoy.

Alan Reid

Short-eared owl on the prowl

Meadow grasses hide a feast

Alan Reid

Bay of Skaill

Looking across the Bay from its rocky west end.

Elizabeth Angus

Skara Brae: Bay of Skaill beach

Looking along the beach from above the Skara Brae archaeological site. Someone has created a shapely pillar of stones in the foreground.

Chris Downer

Skara Brae: one of the houses

A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, we look across one of the houses, with typical central hearth and a few rooms and stone furniture surrounding it. Skaill Bay is in the background.

Chris Downer

Skara Brae: earthworks

A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here we look across the site, towards Skaill Bay, with one of the passageways of the village in the foreground.

Chris Downer

Skara Brae: one house and a bay view

A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, we look towards Skaill Bay across one of the dwellings at the western edge of the site.

Chris Downer

Skara Brae: westernmost house

A truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. This is the most westerly house, displayed particularly intact, with the hearth as the typical centrepiece and stone furniture and various small rooms surrounding it. The southern shore of the Bay of Skaill is in the background.

Chris Downer

Skara Brae: inside a Neolithic house

Skara Brae is a truly remarkable site, where in 1850 a storm blew away the dunes, revealing a 5,000-year-old settlement. Predating the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a fair margin, the Neolithic village was protected very well by its covering over the centuries and was revealed in remarkably intact condition. Here, by the visitor centre a short distance from the site itself, a simulation dwelling has been reconstructed to give an impression of what the house would have been like in its original, covered state. We are looking through the doorway and see in front of us the central hearth, with a stone cupboard facing us.

Chris Downer

Gateway to Skaill House

The house dates back to the 17th century. Extensive alterations were made during the 1950s and the parts that are open to the public reflect that era.

Robin Drayton