Grobust Beach

Grobust beach lies on the north coast of the island of Westray, itself one of Orkney’s northernmost isles. A strand of pristine white sand punctuated by rocky outcrops this is a lovely spot, particularly when the sun is out and the deep blues of the sae contrast sharply with the pale sand.

The beach is situated on a pretty exposed stretch of coast so the sea can be quite impressive when the wind blows. The low lying land here means that you’ll feel the breeze too, whichever direction it’s coming from.

Behind the western end of the beach are the remains of a Stone Age settlement. The Links of Noltland remains partially buried in the dunes but has been giving up its secrets over the years. During an excavation in 2009 a small stone figurine known as the ‘Westray Wife’ or ‘Orkney Venus’ was discovered. This is believed to be the oldest representation of a human face found in Scotland to date.