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East Mainland Llas

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East Mainland Llas 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 Deerness in the East Mainland of Orkney. 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 Orkney Islands Council 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, Burray 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 Scapa Flow 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 South Ronaldsay 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 Hoy 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
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