17 September 2026

Yesnaby Coastline

The Yesnaby coastline is a dramatic stretch of sheer Old Red Sandstone cliffs on the west coast of  Orkney. Besides spectacular coastal scenery, there were remnants of a WWII gun battery.


Lively water

Red sandstone
Closer
Yesnaby Cliffs
Dramatic seaside scenery

Tada!

Zoomed in

Bluer than blue water

During WWI and WWII  a large number of coastal defense stations were built along the cliffs of Orkney. Most were armed with anti-aircraft guns and with searchlight towers to pick out enemy aircraft. The cliffs at Yesnaby were one such site. is a dramatic stretch of sheer Old Red Sandstone cliffs on the west coast of Mainland Orkney.


Gun mounts
Structure left over from the war