Place Name

Height of the World, Orkney, Scotland

Whar ye stand on the edge o everything and the wind tells ye the rest!

Introduction:

Welcome tae Height of the World, a name that sounds like it should belong tae a Himalayan peak or a mystical plateau guarded by monks. Instead, it’s a windswept Orkney clifftop whar the only monks ye’ll meet are seabirds judgin ye for bringin nae snacks.

Folk say the name comes frae the way the land rises up sudden, givin ye a view that feels impossibly vast for such a small island. Others claim it’s because the wind here is so fierce it’ll lift ye clean aff yer feet and send ye tae meet the gods personally.

Whitever the truth, standin here feels like standin on the edge o the world, wi the sea roarin below and the sky leanin in close.

Toponymy:

Let’s break down this name.

Height - a high place, a rise, a point abune the land that gives ye a view worth the climb.

World - in this case, the visible world, the sweep o sea, sky and island that stretches oot frae the clifftop.

Together they gie us Height of the World, a name that’s dramatic, poetic and surprisingly accurate for a place that feels like the islands are showin ye everything they’ve got.

Historical Context:

The Height of the World has long been a landmark for islanders, travellers and the occasional lost sheep. Norse sailors wid hae used the cliffs as a guide, crofters kent the land well, and modern visitors come for the views that mak even the grumpiest soul crack a smile.

Stories linger o folk comin here tae think, tae breathe, tae shout their frustrations intae the wind and let the sea carry them awa. It’s a place o perspective, whar the land reminds ye how small ye are and how grand the world can be.

Points of Interest:

If yae passing by call in to one o these places for a warm welcome:

• Tomb of the Eagles - A guid place tae meet the ancestors without wakin them up A Neolithic chambered tomb filled wi ancient bones, artifacts and the stories o the folk who lived here thousands o years ago.

• Churchill Barriers - Perfect for wonderin how much concrete it takes tae stop a war A series o causeways built in World War II, noo carryin traffic and history in equal measure.

• The Gloup - Mind the edge or ye’ll be meetin the sea faster than planned A collapsed sea cave whar the waves thunder in below, creatin a roar that echoes through the cliffs.

• Hoxa Head - A fine spot tae watch the sea try its best tae eat the land A rugged headland wi wartime remains and views that stretch across Scapa Flow.

• Burwick Cliffs - Whar the wind slaps ye awake better than any coffee Dramatic cliffs at the southern tip o South Ronaldsay, guid for seabirds, storms and soul refreshment.

Notable Figures:

Folks with an affinity with Height of the World or Orkney:

• George Mackay Brown - A man wha could turn island silence intae poetry The celebrated Orcadian poet whose words captured the rhythm, hardship and beauty o the islands.

• John Rae - A man wha survived places far colder than Orkney on a bad day The famed Arctic explorer born in Orkney, known for his skill, resilience and discoveries.

• Ernest Marwick - If there wis a tale tae be telt, he’d already written it doon A scholar o Orkney lore, language and tradition, preservin stories that wid otherwise hae vanished.

• Stanley Cursiter - A lad wha painted the Orkney licht better than the weather ever managed Kirkwall born painter and gallery director, famed for his modernist works and island landscapes.

• Tom Muir - The man ye ask when ye want the truth, the legend and the bit in between A historian and storyteller keepin Orkney’s myths, memories and mischief alive.

Conclusion:

Standin at the Height of the World, ye feel the islands open up beneath ye, the sea roar its ancient song, and the wind remind ye that nature here disnae muck aboot. It’s a place that lifts the spirit, clears the mind and makes ye grateful for sturdy footwear.

And if ye’re collectin place names that sound like they should be in fantasy novels, dinnae forget tae wander ower tae www.strangeplacenames.com - whar the UK and Ireland are full o names that prove the locals were absolutely havin a laugh.

FACEBOOK - strangeplacenames

INSTAGRAM - strangeplacenames_2024