Interesting Info
If you would like a unique view of Deerness, with a boat trip along Mull Head and into the Gloup, book a boat trip. Details are available
at the local tourist offices. You can also book boats to go to Copinsay. Population 1369 |
Useful Advice
In St Andrews, there is a shortcut to Holm, by taking the road past the Primary School.
Essential sites to visit The Gloup Mine Howe Mull Head Dingieshowe St Mary's Village Convenanter's Memorial |
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The East Mainland comprises of the parishes St Ola, Tankerness, St Andrews, Holm and Deerness, which are all east of Kirkwall. Holm joins up with
the Churchill Barriers which link up with the South isles; Burray and South Ronaldsay.
The East Mainland is a peaceful place, with quiet beaches and remains of wartime 
buildings. Dingieshowe in particular is a nice beach to visit, with it's massive sand dunes. In Deerness is the Gloup, an amazing sight - a vast deep watery cave which collapsed on the landward side. The walk around the headland here is particularly nice, with superb views of nearby Copinsay, an uninhabited doorstop of an island where the air is thick with birds. At the end of the walk from the Gloup is the Brough of Deerness, with a Pictish archaeological site atop a grassy sea stack. The steps to climb the stack are not too steep!
Also in Deerness is the Covenanter's Memorial, a chess piece monument marking the spot where 250 covenanters were drowned after the ship that imprisoned them went ashore in the 17th century. the covenanters were religious objectors who resisted the introduction of a new prayer book. They were branded traitors.
Grimsetter airport, otherwise known as Kirkwall Airport, is found in St Andrews. It has arrivals and departures from mainland Scotland and many of the North Isles. Originally an airbase in World War 2, Grimsetter was important for local defense.
Perhaps one of the most impressive sites of the East Mainland is also the most recently opened. Mine Howe is a mystery - a neolithic tomb with 39 steps leading deep underground. Archaeological excavations are still going on to discover its secrets!
The East Mainland is a lovely part of Orkney, with country shops that stock everything and craft shops galore. It also has both homely and modern pubs and great places to eat .
A tall stone finger reaches into the sky: the Covenanter's Memorial. The field to the left is littered with grazing cows, black and white. Somewhere behind a bird sings thinly. Half an hour ago a plane flew over slowly, like a soft moth in the haze, drifting towards Grimsetter.
George Mackay Brown, Under Brinkies Brae
Sheila Fleet,The Workshop,
Tankerness
Orkney, KW17 2QT
Tel: 01856 861203
Email: info@sheila-fleet.co.uk
www.sheila-fleet.co.uk
Designer and maker of silver and enamel, gold and platinum jewellery. Visitors can see the jewellery being made at her workshop in Tankerness, Orkney.
Opening times 9am to 5pm, Mon to Sat, Sunday 11am to 4pm - June to August only. Also visit our Gallery outlet on Bridge St in Kirkwall. Disabled access at the workshop.
The INN Guest House,St Mary's, Holm,
Orkney, KW17 2RT
Tel: 01856 781786
Mobile: 07828 800441
Email: shonamike@btinternet.com
www.orkneytheinnguesthouse
.co.uk
3 Star VisitScotland Rating
Situated on the waterfront of St Mary's. Recently refurbished with spacious rooms and views of the Italian Chapel and Barriers, all en-suite. Our varied breakfast menu uses local produce. In the evening, relax in the lounge, watch Sky TV on the large plasma screen. DVD's and books are also available.
East Mainland landscape photo © Magnus Dixon, Pebbles at Dingieshowe photo © Victoria Dixon, Gloup photo © Magnus Dixon, Mull Head photo © Fraser Dixon,
Islander plane at Grimsetter Airport photo © Magnus Dixon. All text © Magnus Dixon. GMB extract © The Estate of George Mackay Brown.
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