The Lotheran

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

The Lotheran

Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney Uninhabited tidal islands linked to the island of Sanday at low tide.
Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney Credit: Karl Cooper

The Lotheran is a prominent coastal feature located in the Orkney Islands, situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is specifically categorized as a headland or point due to its distinctive geographical characteristics. The Lotheran is positioned on the eastern coast of the Mainland, the largest island in the Orkney archipelago.

Rising dramatically from the surrounding landscape, The Lotheran is marked by its steep cliffs and rugged terrain, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the North Sea. The headland stretches out into the ocean, forming a prominent landmark along the coastline. Its strategic location offers unobstructed vistas, allowing visitors to observe the open sea, nearby islands, and the diverse marine life in the area.

The Lotheran is renowned for its rich biodiversity and geological significance. The cliffs are home to a variety of seabird colonies, including guillemots, puffins, and fulmars, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Additionally, the headland features unique rock formations, showcasing the complex geological history of the area.

Due to its exposed position, The Lotheran is subject to the relentless forces of the sea, resulting in ongoing erosion and shaping the distinctive landscape. The continuous battering of waves has carved sea caves, arches, and stacks into the cliffs, adding to its natural allure.

The Lotheran stands as a testament to the raw beauty and power of nature, attracting visitors from far and wide who come to appreciate its stunning coastal scenery and experience the wild and untamed environment of the Orkney Islands.

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The Lotheran Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.307461/-2.6208397 or Grid Reference HY6446. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney Uninhabited tidal islands linked to the island of Sanday at low tide.
Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
Uninhabited tidal islands linked to the island of Sanday at low tide.
Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire One of many such cairns on the Holms of Ire and adjacent part of Sanday
Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire
One of many such cairns on the Holms of Ire and adjacent part of Sanday
Inlet within Inner Sound at Holms of Ire
Inlet within Inner Sound at Holms of Ire
Rocks near Craw's Nest Prominent cairns atop the Holms of Ire can be seen in the distance.
Rocks near Craw's Nest
Prominent cairns atop the Holms of Ire can be seen in the distance.
Rock slabs on the more northerly of the Holms of Ire
Rock slabs on the more northerly of the Holms of Ire
Seawashed rocks near the Lotheran One of the more remote spots off Sanday, reached only with a risk of getting cut off by the rising tide.
Seawashed rocks near the Lotheran
One of the more remote spots off Sanday, reached only with a risk of getting cut off by the rising tide.
The Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney The Holms are two islands accessible at low tide.
The Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
The Holms are two islands accessible at low tide.
Stonebreaker, Sanday, Orkney The machine is inscribed,
"Rob Broadbent & Son Stalybridge
Blake Stonebreaker 8077"
and it lies some 150m to the NW of <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3770987">HY6544 : Quarry, Sanday, Orkney</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2561603">HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire</a> can be seen on the horizon.
Stonebreaker, Sanday, Orkney
The machine is inscribed, "Rob Broadbent & Son Stalybridge Blake Stonebreaker 8077" and it lies some 150m to the NW of HY6544 : Quarry, Sanday, Orkney. HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire can be seen on the horizon.
Planticrubs, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney According to the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland's thesaurus, a planticrub (or planticrue) is "a small square, circular or rectangular enclosure used for growing root crops, usually without an entrance".

At <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/3499/details/sanday+holms+of+ire" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/3499/details/sanday+holms+of+ire">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> these ones are described as 

"a spectacular and well-preserved row of 4 circular and 2
square plantie-crus each 1.5m high to top of wall which in most
cases is complete, average 4.2m across, without openings".
Planticrubs, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
According to the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland's thesaurus, a planticrub (or planticrue) is "a small square, circular or rectangular enclosure used for growing root crops, usually without an entrance". At LinkExternal link these ones are described as "a spectacular and well-preserved row of 4 circular and 2 square plantie-crus each 1.5m high to top of wall which in most cases is complete, average 4.2m across, without openings".
Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney This cairn is on the outer holm.  There are similar cairns located nearby on the inner holm (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4336569">HY6446 : Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney</a>) and on the main island (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2561603">HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire</a>).
Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
This cairn is on the outer holm. There are similar cairns located nearby on the inner holm (HY6446 : Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney) and on the main island (HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire).
Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney This cairn is on the inner holm. There are similar cairns located nearby on the outer holm (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4336564">HY6446 : Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney</a>) and on the main island (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2561603">HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire</a>).
Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney
This cairn is on the inner holm. There are similar cairns located nearby on the outer holm (HY6446 : Cairn, Holms of Ire, Sanday, Orkney) and on the main island (HY6545 : Cairn overlooking Holms of Ire).
Quarry by Airon Remains of a quarry near Roos Wick, Sanday.
Quarry by Airon
Remains of a quarry near Roos Wick, Sanday.
Stonebreaker At the Roos Wick quarry on Sanday, inscribed "Rob Broadbent & Son Stalybridge Blake Stonebreaker 8077"
Stonebreaker
At the Roos Wick quarry on Sanday, inscribed "Rob Broadbent & Son Stalybridge Blake Stonebreaker 8077"
Corrosion of the stonebreaker At the Roos Wick quarry, showing the result of long exposure to spray from the nearby sea.
Corrosion of the stonebreaker
At the Roos Wick quarry, showing the result of long exposure to spray from the nearby sea.
Cairn, Whale Point A well built stone man, one of several along the Holms of Ire. The foreground is an area of fine cropped coastal heath.
Cairn, Whale Point
A well built stone man, one of several along the Holms of Ire. The foreground is an area of fine cropped coastal heath.
Cairn, Whale Point View along the Holms of Ire, where the peninsula has been breached by a couple of tidal channels.
Cairn, Whale Point
View along the Holms of Ire, where the peninsula has been breached by a couple of tidal channels.
Rocks, Whale Point Orange lichen contrasts with the deep blue of the sea.
Rocks, Whale Point
Orange lichen contrasts with the deep blue of the sea.
Roos Wick A range of blues on display due to the sandy ground.
Roos Wick
A range of blues on display due to the sandy ground.
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The Lotheran is located at Grid Ref: HY6446 (Lat: 59.307461, Lng: -2.6208397)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///flute.limelight.habits. Near Kettletoft, Orkney Islands

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