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The Maidens

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

The Maidens

Nr Putaquoy Looking toward Newlot
Nr Putaquoy Looking toward Newlot Credit: Peter Amsden

The Maidens is a prominent coastal feature located in Orkney, Scotland. It is a stunning headland that juts out into the North Atlantic Ocean, forming a distinctive point that has captivated visitors for centuries.

The headland is composed of rugged cliffs that rise dramatically from the crashing waves below. These cliffs are predominantly made of Old Red Sandstone, which gives them a unique reddish hue and adds to the overall picturesque beauty of the area. The Maidens offers breathtaking views of the surrounding seascape, with panoramic vistas of the open ocean and the distant Orkney Islands.

One of the most striking features of The Maidens is a set of towering sea stacks that have been formed by years of erosion. These sea stacks, also known as "The Maiden Stack" and "The Old Man of Hoy," add to the dramatic allure of the headland. They stand as solitary monoliths, defying the relentless power of the sea, and provide a nesting site for various seabirds, including puffins.

The Maidens is a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts alike. Its raw beauty and remote location make it a favorite spot for photographers, hikers, and birdwatchers. Visitors can explore the headland via well-maintained walking paths that offer breathtaking views at every turn.

As a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, The Maidens also holds ecological importance. The surrounding waters are home to a diverse range of marine life, including seals, dolphins, and various species of fish. The area is also known for its rich birdlife, with numerous seabird colonies nesting along the cliffs.

In conclusion, The Maidens is a captivating coastal feature in Orkney, Scotland. Its rugged cliffs, sea stacks, and stunning views make it a must-visit destination for those seeking natural beauty and tranquility.

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The Maidens Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.017735/-2.8280363 or Grid Reference HY5214. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Nr Putaquoy Looking toward Newlot
Nr Putaquoy Looking toward Newlot
Holm of Burghlee Shapinsay
Holm of Burghlee Shapinsay
General View of area Looking toward Holm of Burghlee. A remote area frequented by birds more than man.
General View of area
Looking toward Holm of Burghlee. A remote area frequented by birds more than man.
The Foot, Shapinsay The easternmost headland of the island, from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
The Foot, Shapinsay
The easternmost headland of the island, from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness, Shapinsay From the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness, Shapinsay
From the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness and Bay of Sandgarth, Shapinsay Taken from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness and Bay of Sandgarth, Shapinsay
Taken from the Shetland-Orkney ferry at dusk.
Haco's Ness This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness
This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness
This is the most southerly point of Shapinsay, and one of the few accessible places in Orkney with exposed rocks that are not Old Red Sandstone. These black rocks belong to the Deerness Volcanic Member, basaltic rocks intruded about 385 million years ago.
Haco's Ness Lurking under the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as very little of it is visible.
Haco's Ness
Lurking under the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as very little of it is visible.
Haco's Ness The stones lurking among the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as so little of it is visible.
Haco's Ness
The stones lurking among the grass here are the remains of a chambered cairn, but I have to confess that it was difficult to get any sense of it, as so little of it is visible.
Wildfowling Hide? We thought that's what this must be, as it overlooks a shallow pond that would be likely to attract migrating geese.
Wildfowling Hide?
We thought that's what this must be, as it overlooks a shallow pond that would be likely to attract migrating geese.
Ruined Cottage A cottage at Haco's Ness.
Ruined Cottage
A cottage at Haco's Ness.
Sandgarth A croft at Haco's Ness.
Sandgarth
A croft at Haco's Ness.
Castle Bloody Souterrain This mysterious prehistoric monument is situated near the coast at the highest topographic point on southeast Shapinsay.
Castle Bloody Souterrain
This mysterious prehistoric monument is situated near the coast at the highest topographic point on southeast Shapinsay.
Wave-cut platform near Winter Noust The pebble and boulder beach gives way to the wave-cut platform and seaweed exposed by the low tide.
Wave-cut platform near Winter Noust
The pebble and boulder beach gives way to the wave-cut platform and seaweed exposed by the low tide.
The Bay of Sandgarth Looking westwards along this gorgeous beach. The headland is the Ness of Howe.
The Bay of Sandgarth
Looking westwards along this gorgeous beach. The headland is the Ness of Howe.
The B9059 East of Howe Looking along the road towards Howe, on the skyline.
The B9059 East of Howe
Looking along the road towards Howe, on the skyline.
Near the chambered cairn by Haco's Ness The dried-up pool lies as testimony to the largely rain-free summer we have had here in Orkney. The wild flowers haven't suffered though.
Near the chambered cairn by Haco's Ness
The dried-up pool lies as testimony to the largely rain-free summer we have had here in Orkney. The wild flowers haven't suffered though.
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The Maidens is located at Grid Ref: HY5214 (Lat: 59.017735, Lng: -2.8280363)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///thick.broads.efficient. Near Balfour, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Carlins Dead Wife's Geo The Burg The Maidens Haco's Ness South Skerry

Related Wikis

Castle Bloody
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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.017735,-2.8280363
Hackosness aka Haco's Ness
Place: locality
Source: OS7
Lat/Long: 59.0190964/-2.8307306
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Site of Chambered Cairn (Neolithic)
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 59.0185984/-2.8344208
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Drippies Geo Orkney
Three Geos Orkney

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