Yesnaby
Encyclopedia
Yesnaby is an area in Sandwick
, on the west coast of Orkney Mainland, Scotland
, south of Skara Brae
.
Yesnaby is renowned for its Devonian
geology
, its crumbly rocks, sea stacks, blowhole
s, geo
s, towering cliff
s and boiling seas.
The area is popular with climbers because of Yesnaby Castle, a two-legged sea stack just south of the Brough of Bigging. The stack is sometimes described as a smaller version of the Old Man of Hoy
.
Stromatolites, fossils from 350 million years ago, can be found on the cliffs. Yesnaby is also one of the very few places where the Primula scotica
grows.
Orkney folklore has it that a woman known as the "Yesnaby Healer" had the ability to stop bleeding in any person, even over a distance.
The Orkney composer
Peter Maxwell Davies
has immortalised Yesnaby through "Yesnaby Ground", an Interlude for solo piano.
Sandwick, Orkney
Sandwick is a parish on the west coast of Mainland, Orkney. It commences four miles north of Stromness.The coast, except at the small sandy bay consists of cavernous cliffs, from 100-200 ft, and includes a lofty natural arch called the hole of Rowe, and is much flanked by insulated...
, on the west coast of Orkney Mainland, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, south of Skara Brae
Skara Brae
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 BCE–2500 BCE...
.
Yesnaby is renowned for its Devonian
Devonian
The Devonian is a geologic period and system of the Paleozoic Era spanning from the end of the Silurian Period, about 416.0 ± 2.8 Mya , to the beginning of the Carboniferous Period, about 359.2 ± 2.5 Mya...
geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
, its crumbly rocks, sea stacks, blowhole
Blowhole
Blowhole may refer to:*Blowhole , the hole at the top of a whale's or other cetacean's head*Blowhole , a hole at the inland end of a sea cave*Blowhole Diversion Tunnel in Victoria, Australia...
s, geo
Geo (landscape)
A geo or gio is an inlet, a gully or a narrow and deep cleft in the face of a cliff. Geos are common on the coastline of the Shetland and Orkney islands. They are created by the wave driven erosion of cliffs along faults and bedding planes in the rock. Geos may have sea caves at their heads...
s, towering cliff
Cliff
In geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. Cliffs are formed as erosion landforms due to the processes of erosion and weathering that produce them. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually...
s and boiling seas.
The area is popular with climbers because of Yesnaby Castle, a two-legged sea stack just south of the Brough of Bigging. The stack is sometimes described as a smaller version of the Old Man of Hoy
Old Man of Hoy
The Old Man of Hoy is a sea stack of red sandstone perched on a plinth of igneous basalt rock, close to Rackwick Bay on the west coast of the island of Hoy, in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is a distinctive landmark seen from the Thurso to Stromness ferry, MV Hamnavoe, and is a famous rock climb...
.
Stromatolites, fossils from 350 million years ago, can be found on the cliffs. Yesnaby is also one of the very few places where the Primula scotica
Primula scotica
Primula scotica, commonly known as Scottish primrose, is a species of primrose that is endemic to the north coast of Scotland, including Caithness and Orkney. It is closely related to the Arctic species Primula stricta and Primula scandinavica.Primula scotica is easily distinguished from other...
grows.
Orkney folklore has it that a woman known as the "Yesnaby Healer" had the ability to stop bleeding in any person, even over a distance.
The Orkney composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Peter Maxwell Davies
Peter Maxwell Davies
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, CBE is an English composer and conductor and is currently Master of the Queen's Music.-Biography:...
has immortalised Yesnaby through "Yesnaby Ground", an Interlude for solo piano.