Sandwick, Orkney

Sandwick (Old Norse: "Sandvík"Pedersen, Roy (January 1992) "Orkneyjar ok Katanes" (map, Inverness, Nevis Print)] , meaning "Sand Bay") is a parish on the west coast of Mainland, OrkneyWilson, Rev. John "The Gazetteer of Scotland" (Edinburgh, 1882) Published by W. & A.K. Johnstone] . It commences four miles north of Stromness.

The coast except at the small sandy bay (whence the parish's name) consists of cavernous cliffs, from 100-200 ft, and includes a lofty natural arch, and is much flanked by insulated pillar-rocks.

The interior is much diversified, and comprises both a large aggregate of flat arable land, and a considerable extent of hilly ground, partly more than 300 ft high.

The chief residence is Breckness, and chief antiquities include numerous tumuli, a vitrified cairn, a remarkable cromlech, a remnant of a very large stone circle, five Norse forts, and the ruins of Sunsgar castle. Notably Skara Brae and Yesnaby are in this parish.

References

This article incorporates text from -Wilson, Rev. John "The Gazetteer of Scotland" (Edinburgh, 1882) Published by W. & A.K. Johnstone