II.

Land and Resources

With the exception of a small granite area near Stromness, on Mainland, the islands are formed from old red sandstone rich in rare fossils. Glacial erosion has left low, undulating hills covered in glacial deposits. Through long cultivation, wet peaty soils have been transformed into fertile agricultural land. Hoy is the only hilly island; the highest of its heather-clad uplands is Ward Hill (477 m/1,565 ft). Caithness and Fair Isle can be seen from there. St John's Head is 347 m (1,140 ft) high, and is reputed to be the highest sheer cliff in Great Britain. The Old Man of Hoy is a 137 m (450 ft) stack of sandstone. Skuas and other seabirds abound and seals are prevalent.

The climate of Orkney is moderate relative to its latitude. Temperatures are modified by the warm Gulf Stream. Winters are comparatively mild and the summers cool. Strong westerly gales are frequent. Average annual rainfall is 940 mm (37 in).