The West Coast of Helliar Holm low tide on a rainy day and the wave-cut platform is exposed. | |
Location | |
---|---|
OS grid reference | HY484153 |
Coordinates | 59°01′23″N 2°54′04″W / 59.023°N 2.901°W |
Physical geography | |
Island group | Orkney |
Administration | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Country | Scotland |
Council area | Orkney Islands |
Demographics | |
Population | 0 |
Helliar Holm Lighthouse | |
Constructed | 1893 |
Construction | stone tower |
Automated | 1967 |
Height | 42 ft (13 m) |
Shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
Markings | white tower, black lantern, ochre trim |
Power source | solar power |
Operator | Northern Lighthouse Board[2] |
Heritage | category B listed building |
Focal height | 18 m (59 ft) |
Range | white: 14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi) red: 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) [1] |
Characteristic | Fl WRG 10s |
Helliar Holm is an uninhabited island off the coast of Shapinsay in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is home to a 42-foot-tall (13 m) lighthouse, which was built in 1893 and automated in 1967.[3] It is a tidal island that used to be connected to Shapinsay. It is still possible to walk across from the mainland during very low tides.
The island also has the ruins of a broch, cairn and chapel.[4]
In the Orkneyinga Saga it is referred to as both "Hellisey" and "Eller Holm" [5] and John of Fordun refers to it as "Helene-holm"