Long-distance views across the Pentland Firth from Orkney

Marwick Head is an area of dramatic cliffs on the west coast of mainland Orkney. On a clear day there are views across the Pentland Firth towards Caithness and Sutherland.

Above: The cliffs of Marwick Head (Photo: Aaron Watson, 2019)

Above: The panorama looking south from Marwick Head (Photo: Aaron Watson, 2019)

The appearance of this distant horizon changed significantly as I walked higher up the hill, even though the height difference between the shoreline and summit is little more than 80m.

Above: A sequence of images taken from different heights upon Marwick Head. As I ascended the hill from the distant mountains were progressively revealed. The Old Man of Hoy is visible in the foreground to the left. The conical mountain beyond is Morven, around 100km (60 miles) distant (Photos: Aaron Watson, 2019)

Above: Enhanced photos of Ben Loyal (on the left) and Ben Hope as viewed from different heights on Marwick Head. Ben Hope is around 105 km (65 miles) distant (Photos: Aaron Watson, 2019)