Gloup comes from the Old Norse "gluppa" -a chasm- the local name for a blow hole. The Gloup is a 200 yard walk from the car park.
DANGER! There are areas which are unfenced and great care is required.
Mull Head was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 1993, for its wildlife, geology and history. An area of over 200 acres of coastal grassland, heath and sea cliff providing opportunity for walking, bird-watching and nature study. A comprehensive path network stretches from the Covenanters Memorial on the North coast to the Gloup on the west coast; circular walks of between 4 and 8 km are signposted from the Gloup Car Park. Features of interest on the reserve include the archaeological remains of a Norse settlement and church on the Brough of Deerness and sea cliffs, home to many seabirds.
The Mull Head visitor centre, close to the car park, contains interpretation and information about the wildlife, landscapes and history of the reserve. Many free leaflets are also available, plus up to date news about what can be seen on the reserve throughout the year. There are also toilets in the centre.
To log this earthcache you need to visit the location and email your answers to the following questions via our profile (please don’t post your answers in your log).
Please log your find without waiting for our response, we will contact you if there is a problem with your answers, this may however take several days.
- Describe how “The Gloup” was formed.
- Estimate the distance from the chasm to the cliff face.
- Estimate the width of the chasm at its widest point.
- What kind of rocks form the sheer cliffs of Mull Head?
- How were these rocks formed here?
Optional – Please post a picture of your visit.
This cache has been published with the kind permission of Orkney Islands Council with the provision that we include a disclaimer alerting people to the dangers associated with the cliffs and urging them to take care.