Collapsed sea cave
There’s a strange depression on the coastal walk in the north of Westray. I finally realised what it was. It’s a collapsed …
Signs of life
There are signs of life everywhere on Westray. In this case it’s signs of life from 380 million years ago from species …
The oldest still-living life form on Earth
See that pale orange-coloured rock? It might not look much, but without this life-form, the rest of life on Earth would never …
Fool’s Gold
We’re walking the coast of Westray when we see large chunks of what look like rusty metal embedded in the rocks. There’s …
Rock Pipit on vertical rock strata
I love the beach on Westray which has all its rock strata upended so they are vertical. It’s strange to see all …
Like pebbles on a beach
Every beach on Westray has a different character. There are pure white shell sand beaches which wouldn’t be out of place in …
Tracing the outlines
I’m tracing the outlines of a barnacle city on the rocks of Westray’s shore. The outlines remind me of looking down on …
Scenes from the sea
It’s all about perspective. Looking at familiar scenes from a different place always makes you think more deeply about them. Similarly, seeing …
Grobust
Grobust is one of my favourite beaches on Westray. Can you see the bodyboarders with their bright boards? I love the slightly …
Playing British Bulldog with the sheep of the Holm of Aikerness
The Holm of Aikerness is a series of small islets just off Aikerness, which is the northernmost tip of Westray, where the …
Scootie Allan over Muckle Water
Perhaps the best part of the coastline for walking in Westray is the west coast. The section from Mae Sands to Noup …
Pecked
This cobble has been tumbled by the waves until it is not quite smooth. It has been ‘pecked’ by crashing against other …
Slip
It’s hard to see that cliffs are dangerous from the top of them. Seeing the Island from the sea gives a completely …
The pool
There’s a rock pool fed with fresh water fram a tiny waterfall on the west coast of Westray. I love how green …
If rocks could think and feel and see…
If rocks could think and feel and see then life would be very different from their perspective. These rocks are so contorted, …
Ravens and rocks
The west coast of Westray has some of the best walking in the islands. There are fossilised remains of ripples on the …
Flutterings
Coronavirus has destroyed my livelihood. I’ve had all my work cancelled for a year and will have absolutely no income. I’m also …
Lichen on cobbles
I’ve been inspired by seeing how limpets have colonised a crack in a rock from year to year. I think I might …
Limpets and gypsum pseudomorphs
A fine day means the chance to walk the Westray coast: The blues are spectacular and the rocks are fascinating In the …
The Fulmars of Backarass
We’re walking down past Backarass on Westray. It’s a special landscape of shattered rocks and still pools: The weather is fabulous and …
Westray Coast 50 – Day Five
My adventures on the fifth of five days walking the entire coast of Westray.
Westray Coast 50 – Day Four and a Half
My adventures on the four-and-a-half-th of five days walking the entire coast of Westray.
Westray Coast 50 – Day Four
My adventures on the fourth of five days walking the entire coast of Westray.
Westray Coast 50 – Day Three
My adventures on the third of five days walking the entire coast of Westray.
Westray Coast 50 – Day Two
My adventures on the second of five days walking the entire coast of Westray.
Westray Coast 50 – Day One
My adventures on the first of five days walking the entire coast of Westray.
They say ‘Take only pictures, leave only footsteps’
They say ‘Take only pictures, leave only footsteps,’ but we decided to take a footstep home. I just need to draw a …
Rapness rolling rocks
Rapness has some of the most interesting rocks on Westray. There are lots of rounded red sandstone pebbles. These rocks were dragged …
Green pools
Westray’s coastline has magnificent layers of sedimentary rocks. In places there are folds and cracks: A crack in the rocks leads to …
Flagstones and Slaters
Looking into the cracks in the flagstones I see what looks to be a freakishly large Woodlouse. It’s a Sea Slater…