LLA Name Denwick and Mull Head Location and Extent The Denwick and Mull Head Local Landscape Area is located on the north-east tip of in the East Mainland of . In the east the boundary of this site follows the Core Paths which lead from the Mull Head Interpretation Centre to the Covenanter’s Memorial and from the Car Park to The Gloup.

Overview Characterised by its rugged Cliff Landscape coastline and its Low Moorland interior, the Mull Head is managed by as a Local Nature Reserve. The reserve extends to about 160 hectares of sea cliffs, maritime heath and grassland. The adjacent Undulating Island Pasture landscape of Denwick is an area of gently sloping agricultural grassland. Key Landscape and Visual Characteristics  The stretch of remote coastline extending round the Mull Head is dominated by high, eroded cliffs and related landform features, including stacks, geos, caves and an impressive blow hole known locally as The Gloup;  The exposed cliffs of the reserve illustrate 390 million years of Orkney’s geological history and the layering of the sedimentary rock can be easily seen in the cliff faces.  The variety of habitats on the reserve provide homes and food for many bird species, e.g. fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbill and shags on the sea cliffs; Arctic terns, common gulls and lesser black backed gulls inland on the heathland and short-eared owls who can be seen hunting over the grassland areas.  In spring and summer the Mull Head is a tapestry of different plant communities, varying according to the closeness to the sea, the soil, the water table and the influence of man.  The green, gently sloping, grazed fields of Denwick provide a pleasing contrast to the more “wild” landscape of the Mull Head.  Good examples of Maritime Cliff and Slope habitat, a UK BAP Priority Habitat, can be seen at Denwick as well as many wildflower species on either side of the Core Path leading to the Memorial and along the coast. Special Qualities  The Mull Head is an area of “wild” land which allows visitors to the area to experience a sense of isolation and remoteness from present day human influence. Other Designations / Interests  The grassed over foundations of a number of rectangular buildings and the remains of a small stone Norse chapel can be seen on the Brough of Deerness. The foundations are thought to be either the remains of a monastery or domestic houses of the Norse period.  The remote, coastal location of Denwick provides a poignant setting for the Covenanters’ Memorial which was erected to commemorate the deaths of approximately 200 Covenanters who perished when their ship was wrecked nearby.  This is a very popular visitor destination where a number of circular walks of various lengths are made possible by the core path provision. The excellent interpretation centre has added to the popularity of this location. Sensitivity to Change Low Moorland  Potential visual intrusion of mechanical peat cutting and threat to sub-peat archaeology. Undulating Island pasture  Open landscape which tends to be highly visible from adjacent areas and is sensitive to visual intrusion, except in pockets of low ground enclosed by landforms;  Visual relationship with sea sensitive to obtrusive development on higher ridges and knolls. Potential for Landscape Protection/Enhancement Low Moorland  Peat cutting by hand should generally be preferred over mechanical cutting in this low and exposed landscape;  Mechanical peat cutting should be restricted to less visible areas. Undulating Island pasture  Avoid siting buildings on open or prominent sites. Use topography to screen new development where possible and avoid obtrusive development within key vistas;  Respect vernacular building tradition;  Restrict the development of barriers, signs and other “clutter” along cliff top footpaths. Landscape Character The Landscape Character Types found in this area are described in Land use Consultants 1998 Orkney Landscape Character Assessment. Scottish Natural Heritage Review No 100. All Landscape Character Assessments can be found on the Scottish Natural Heritage website at www.snh.org.uk

2 LLA Name East Holm to Weddell,

Location and Extent This landscape extends from Rose Ness in the parish of Holm to Weddell Point on the island of Burray and includes the small islands of Glimps Holm and Lambholm. Overview The landscape includes elements of six landscape character types: the Inclined Coastal Pastures, Low Moorland and Coastal Basin landscapes of East Holm; the Holms landscape of Lambholm and Glimpsholm; and the Whaleback Island and Coastal Sand landscapes of Burray. This area is important to Orkney’s tourism industry, its interest mainly due to the strategic role it played during World War II. At a number of key viewpoints interpretation boards tell, stage by stage, the story of the events surrounding the sinking of the battleship HMS Royal Oak and how this wartime tragedy led to the construction of the Churchill Barriers which were put in place to protect the eastern approaches to from attack by enemy submarines. Key Landscape and Visual Characteristics Special Qualities  This area is strongly representative of the Landscapes of War theme in Orkney. The German U-boat from which the Royal Oak was torpedoed gained access to Scapa Flow through the stretch of water which separates Lambholm from Holm, and it was as a result of this tragic loss during the early stages of World War II that the Churchill Barriers were constructed. The Churchill Barriers and the little chapel which was built on Lambholm by Italian prisoners of war are built features which are unique in a local, and indeed a national context.  This landscape is an important part of the experience of crossing the barriers, a journey which is made by many visitors to Orkney as well as the residents of the islands. The ports of St Margaret’s Hope and Burwick in represent two of the gateways to Orkney, and are particularly well used during the summer months when large numbers of visitors choose to arrive by either of these sea routes.  There are stunning views from a number of locations within this area, e.g. from the Hurtiso lay bye looking over Scapa Flow with in the distance; or from Rose Ness looking south over the sand dunes of Burray with the grassy cliffs of South Ronaldsay behind. On a very clear day the mountains of Scotland can be seen in the distance. Other Designations / Interests  There are a number of core paths and circular walking routes in East Holm and it is possible to walk round the entire island of Glimps Holm and along the northern shore of Burray.  There is a popular amenity beach on Glimpsholm and this area is also used by sport divers.  The landscape contains some natural or semi-natural habitat and certain elements of the landscape are important for biodiversity. A number of areas are designated as Local Nature Conservation Sites:

o Loch of Graemeshall is a small loch surrounded by tall vegetation consisting of reeds. The outer fringes are swamp and grassland habitats. o Glimps Holm is extensively grazed by sheep and consists of acid grassland with several areas of shallow peat cuttings where the vegetation is typical of wetter conditions. o Northfield, Burray was formerly an area of sand dunes and unimproved grassland. Although much of the site has been damaged, small areas of unimproved neutral grassland and semi- improved grassland remain along its northern boundary. o Rose Ness is an area of dry heath which is largely dominated by crowberry. Along the adjacent coastline there is a grassland strip dominated by plantains, thrift, fescue grass and eyebrights. There is an extensive area of maritime cliff and slope vegetation along Rose Ness and to the north. o An area of mature woodland surrounds Graemeshall House.

Sensitivity to Change Inclined coastal pasture  Decline in drystone walls;  Derelict farm buildings  Large farm developments, particularly cluttered ancillary buildings;  New building developments, including possible demand for housing along main roads, creating linear development  Possible impacts on archaeological/architectural heritage. Holms  Holms may be potential sites for new development Coastal basin  Maintenance of stone walls;  Visual intrusion of developments into coastal basin  Fish farm developments may target this landscape if conditions are suitable. Coastal Sand  Sand landscapes are sensitive to erosion;  Pressure for sand extraction;  The archaeology is an important consideration in landscape change. Whaleback Island  Depopulation and the potential abandonment of property / decline in agricultural management;  Lack of maintenance of drystone walls;  Sensitivity of smooth island topography to large and poorly sited development;  Potential sensitivity to agricultural diversification projects, particularly tourism/recreation related. Low Moorland  Potential visual intrusion of mechanical peat cutting and threat to sub-peat archaeology.

Potential for Landscape Conservation / Enhancement Inclined coastal pasture

2  Encourage the restoration and re-use of any traditional structures;  Examine the potential for native woodland establishment in gullies and valleys;  Site development carefully with regard to visibility from other landscapes;  Utilise existing tracks and sites of former development in preference to all new developments in the exposed moorland landscape;  Maintain and extend stone wall enclosures; where possible extend round new developments; visual emphasis should be placed on those running down to the coast.  Linear housing development along roadsides should be prevented;  Large/extending farm developments should use coordinated massing and roof pitch to achieve greater coalescence;  New building should reflect the surrounding geology and vernacular tradition in building materials and style;  New building should be sited with respect to the contours and orientation of the underlying land  Small scale tree planting should be encouraged around individual residential and farm developments;  Restoration of old farm buildings should be encouraged;  Protect archaeological and architectural heritage from obtrusive development which may detract from local views;  New development in inclined coastal pastures should be oriented in relation to the coast, and should reflect vernacular tradition in distribution and design. Holms  Apply strict standards to siting and design of buildings to minimise visual impact and to establish a sympathetic relationship with other buildings or structures Coastal basin  Protect uncultivated coastal areas from expansion of cultivation and small scale sand extraction;  Maintain and restore stone wall enclosures  Avoid intrusive developments on coastal basin floor  Respect local settlement patterns and cultural history in the placement of new developments on the basin sides. Coastal Sand  Strict control should be applied over large scale mechanical sand extraction;  Development of fish farms should be controlled and limited to less visible locations;  Ensure careful siting of onshore structures if fish farm development is permitted;  Avoid housing or tourism development on the shore line;  Priority should be given to recording archaeological sites threatened by coastal erosion, quarrying or other development;  Support low key methods of land stabilisation at the coast, e.g. planting marram grass. Whaleback Island  Encourage the maintenance and extension of stone wall enclosures;  Careful control of building siting and design, particularly with regard to skyline/silhouette impacts should be encouraged;  New building should be oriented in relation to the coast, and should reflect the scale and colouring of traditional buildings;

3  Encourage restoration and redevelopment of abandoned crofts / farmsteads where feasible. Low Moorland  Peat cutting by hand should generally be preferred over mechanical cutting in this low and exposed landscape;  Mechanical peat cutting should be restricted to less visible areas. Landscape Character The Landscape Character Types found in this area are described in Land Use Consultants 1998 Orkney Landscape Character Assessment. Scottish Natural Heritage Review No 100. All Landscape Character Assessments can be found on the Scottish Natural Heritage website at www.snh.org.uk

4 LLA Name Inganess Bay Location and Extent The landscape area is located in the parishes of and Tankerness and extends from the Head of Holland in the north-west to Yinstay Head and Yinstay Skerries in the east. Overview A central area of Coastal Plain which is occupied by Airport is backed by the Coastal Basin landscape of Berstane and Tankerness. The Head of Holland and Yinstay Head mark the outer limits of the landscape area and these consist of Low Island Plain. Key Landscape and Visual Characteristics  This is an attractive, if undramatic, landscape. One of its most striking features is its wide sandy bays which are located at Bay of Berstane, Inganess beach and the Sands of Essonquoy. These contrast with the intervening stretches of rocky coastline and the low cliffs below Berstane House.  At Swarsquoy a double ayre impounds two brackish lochs. The inner ayre is a low shingle feature which is completely vegetated. A narrow gap at its eastern end allows tides on occasion to enter the brackish water lagoon. The more mobile outer ayre hinges at the east and almost entirely closes the inlet. Evidence of the use of the area as a harbour dating to Viking times can be found in the form of boat moorings or nousts along the southern side of the outer lagoon. Swarsquoy provides the only example of a double ayre in Orkney Special Qualities This area includes a number of Local Nature Conservation Sites:  Wideford Burn LNCS stretches for approximately two kilometres along Wideford Burn, upstream from its mouth at Inganess Bay. Close to the bay there is a small freshwater loch where damselflies breed. The lower section of the site comprises mainly marsh with tall plants, especially meadowsweet, which is often dominant. Other flowers include yellow iris, wild angelica and marsh marigold.  Yinstay Loch LNCS is a shallow ‘ayre’ loch with an adjacent worked-out basin of peat. Peat cutting has long ceased and the vegetation of the central part of the bog has recovered well to become moorland dominated by heather and crowberry with sphagnum mosses.  Mossclair LNCS is bisected by a road leading to the end of the airport runway, constructed during 2003. To the south of the road there is an area of dry heather moorland with a variety of other heathland plants, including bell heather and creeping willow, and a smaller area of heath/grassland mosaic. To the north of the road the land is semi-natural grassland.  Veddertownmail LNCS is a marshy area with an abundance of meadowsweet and rushes and a variety of flowers including marsh marigold, ragged robin and yellow iris.

Other Designations / Interests  Kirkwall airport was originally a WW II airfield which was built and commissioned as RAF Grimsetter in 1940. The airfield formed part of the defences for the main fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow. In 1943 the RAF handed over control of RAF Grimsetter to the Royal Navy, when it became known as HMS Robin. The airfield came under civil control in 1948.  The tanker NANA was sunk as block ship on 2 March 1939. The bow was refloated by Metal Industries and towed to its present position in Inganess Bay.  The Sand of Essonquoy, immediately to the north of Kirkwall Airport, is a location where people fish for cockles and razor fish (known locally as spoots). At extreme low tides during spring and autumn it is common to see numbers of people walking backwards along the shore, knife in hand, watching for the tell tale stream of water emerging from a hole in the sand which indicates the presence of a spoot. Speed and dexterity are required to catch spoots as these shellfish descend quickly through the sand and the finer points of fishing methods tend to be passed down through the generations.

Sensitivity to Change Coastal Plain  High visibility of coastal plain from higher hinterland makes the landscape sensitive to any new development and landscape management changes;  Potential pressures for development, particularly around Kirkwall Airport;  The flat and accessible nature of this landscape may encourage proposals for large scale building development, e.g. industrial, airport related or farm sheds. These would be highly obtrusive and may obscure sea views from adjacent roads. Coastal basin  Maintenance of stone walls;  Visual intrusion of developments into coastal basin;  Fish farm developments may target this landscape if conditions are suitable;  Conservation of machair and links grassland areas;  Sensitivity of flat and open landscape to development;  Potential flooding / inundation problems;  Loss of drystone walls may threaten to destabilise sand based pastures;  Damage by coastal erosion and potential loss of rich archaeological deposits;  Damage by rabbits to turf cover and monuments. Potential for Landscape Conservation / Enhancement Coastal Plain  New housing or other development should be kept away from the coastal edge as this would break the continuity of flat land and sea at the coast.  Sites on the lower slopes of the adjacent hills may be suitable for development, particularly where the hills can provide a backdrop. Coastal basin  Protect uncultivated coastal areas from expansion of cultivation and small scale sand extraction;  Maintain and restore stone wall enclosures;  Avoid intrusive developments on coastal basin floor;  Respect local settlement patterns and cultural history in the placement of new developments on the basin sides.

2 Low Island Pastures  Maintain drystone wall boundaries;  Encourage preservation of existing wetlands and uncultivated areas;  Strict design control of development on flat headland is required;  Where development is needed, adopt building styles which respect the vernacular tradition and building forms. Landscape Character The Landscape Character Types found in this area are described in Land Use Consultants 1998 Orkney Landscape Character Assessment. Scottish Natural Heritage Review No 100. All Landscape Character Assessments can be found on the Scottish Natural Heritage website at www.snh.org.uk

3 LLA Name St Peter’s Pool and Dingieshowe

Location This area is centred round the enclosed embayment known as St Peter’s Pool and the complex sandy ayre which forms a narrow isthmus linking Deerness to the East Mainland of Orkney.

Overview To the south the ayre is bounded by a relatively steep beach which is backed by dunes and ridges. To the north the sheltered waters of St Peter’s Pool are backed by extensive sheltered sand flats. The Coastal Sand landscape of the isthmus is bounded on either side by the Coastal Basin landscape of Toab and the Undulating Island Pasture landscape of Deerness which overlook the contrasting landscapes of these coastlines. Key Landscape and Visual Characteristics  Contrasting coastlines featuring exposed cliffs, a sandy beach, dunes, and a sheltered bay with extensive sand flats;  Interesting geomorphology of the ayre which has formed the isthmus;  The cliffed coastline between Taracliff Bay and Newark Bay exposes a fairly continuous eastwardly dipping succession of strata from the beds to the base of the Middle Sandstone;  The core path which extends along the cliffed headland above Taracliff Bay passes through an area of heather with patches of dwarf shrub willow and abundant, colourful wild flowers which include red campion, lady’s bedstraw, red and white clover, bird’s foot trefoil, spring squill, northern marsh orchid, ragwort, cat’s ear, bush vetch, sea campion and thrift. Special Qualities  Attractive and accessible amenity beach at Dingieshowe;  St Peter’s Pool is a popular location for viewing birdlife, in particular the large numbers of wintering waders which feed on the sand flats that become exposed at Low Water.  This area of Toab is an exceptionally rich archaeological landscape with well-preserved elements within the agriculture environment.  The landscape provides a focus to settlement in this area, and houses are generally sited to take advantage of the stunning scenery over either St Peter’s Pool to the north, or Dingieshowe and Taracliff Bays in the south and the cliffed landscape which frames either end of these bays. Other Designations / Interests  St Peter’s Pool is designated as a Local Nature Conservation Site due to its importance as a feeding area for wintering waders.  The coastal location provides an important setting to Dingieshowe, the remnants of a broch which may have been used as a “thing-stead” in Norse times. The broch is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Sensitivity to Change Coastal Sand Landscape  Sand landscapes are sensitive to erosion;  Pressure for sand extraction;  Archaeology is an important consideration in landscape change. Coastal basin  Maintenance of stone walls;  Visual intrusion of developments into coastal basin;  Fish farm developments may target this landscape if conditions are suitable. Undulating Island pasture  Open landscape which tends to be highly visible from adjacent areas and is sensitive to visual intrusion, except in pockets of low ground enclosed by landforms;  Visual relationship with sea sensitive to obtrusive development on higher ridges and knolls; Potential for Landscape Enhancement Coastal Sand Landscape  Strict control should be applied over large scale mechanical sand extraction;  Development of fish farms should be controlled and limited to less visible locations;  Ensure careful siting of onshore structures if fish farm development is permitted;  Avoid housing or tourism development on the shore line;  Priority should be given to recording archaeological sites threatened by coastal erosion, quarrying or other development;  Support low key methods of land stabilisation at the coast, e.g. planting marram grass. Coastal basin  Protect uncultivated coastal areas from expansion of cultivation and small scale sand extraction;  Maintain and restore stone wall enclosures;  Avoid intrusive developments on coastal basin floor;  Respect local settlement patterns and cultural history in the placement of new developments on the basin sides. Undulating Island pasture  Avoid siting buildings on open or prominent sites. Use topography to screen new development where possible and avoid obtrusive development within key vistas;  Respect vernacular building tradition;  Restrict the development of barriers, signs and other “clutter” along cliff top footpaths. Landscape Character The Landscape Character Types found in this area are described in Land use Consultants 1998 Orkney Landscape Character Assessment. Scottish Natural Heritage Review No 100. All Landscape Character Assessments can be found on the Scottish Natural Heritage website at www.snh.org.uk

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