The Holm of Faray is a small island in Orkney, Scotland, near Faray and Westray, which it lies between. Together with its neighbour Faray, it is designated a SSSI due to its importance as a haul-out site and breeding area for grey seals.[1]

Holm of Faray
Natural arch at northern point of Holm of Faray
Natural arch at northern point of Holm of Faray
Location
Holm of Faray is located in Orkney Islands
Holm of Faray
Holm of Faray
Holm of Faray shown within Orkney
OS grid referenceHY526386
Coordinates59°14′N 2°50′W / 59.23°N 2.83°W / 59.23; -2.83
Physical geography
Island groupOrkney
Administration
Council areaOrkney Islands
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Demographics
Population0
Lymphad

Geography and geology

edit

Holm of Faray is made up of red sandstone.[2] It is effectively a continuation of Faray, but separated from it by Lavey Sound. It has a "head" and a "torso", which are created by East Bight and West Bight, which almost create a separate islet. It is 16 m (52 ft) at its highest point.

It is on the west side of the Sound of Faray, which separates it from tiny Red Holm, and the North Ayre on Eday which is 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away. It is separated from Westray by Rapness Sound in the west (an extension of Westray Firth) and Weatherness Sound to the north.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Sites of Special Scientific Interest". Orkney Islands Council. Archived from the original on 1 March 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  2. ^ Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.

59°14′2″N 2°49′45″W / 59.23389°N 2.82917°W / 59.23389; -2.82917