The Orkney Islands (more than 70 of them) are largely of Middle Old Red Sandstone, with extensive cliffed coasts. There are sand and shingle beaches in some bays, and a variety of spits, tombolos, and lagoons. In the Orkneys ayres are shingle barriers built across the mouths of small bays and oyces are the lagoons thus enclosed.
To the NNE, beyond Fair Isle, are the similar Shetland Islands. The surrounding waters are often stormy, and high wave energy occurs frequently, particularly on the western (Atlantic) coasts. Mean spring tide range is generally between 2.0 and 3.0 m.
Orkney Islands
South Ronaldsay consists of Devonian sandstones and flagstones, with many dolerite dykes. There is granite on the south-eastern shore of Burray. To the NW, almost enclosed by islands is Scapa Flow, there is a sea area 24 km by 11 km with strong tidal currents. It is bordered by Âgenerally low coasts. In 1940, the four Churchill Causeways were built to close the North Sea entrance.
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Dawson, A. (2010). The Orkney and Shetland Islands. In: Bird, E.C.F. (eds) Encyclopedia of the World's Coastal Landforms. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8639-7_88
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