Place Name

Katie's Pow, Orkney, Scotland

Whar the waves crash, the wind scolds and Katie’s temper still echoes roon the cliffs, a Case of Scots on the Rock!

Introduction:

Welcome tae Katie’s Pow, a name that sounds like it should belong tae a mischievous lassie who got fed up wi the weather and carved her ain pool oot the coastline. Instead, it’s a rugged natural feature whar the sea slams intae the rock, the spray leaps high and the gulls scream like they’re tattlin on somebody.

Some say Katie wis a crofter’s wife wi a temper that could rival a winter gale. Others claim she wis a local legend, a lass who widnae take nonsense frae man nor sea. Whatever the truth, her pow has stood the test o time, carved deeper wi every storm.

Toponymy:

Let’s break down this name.

Katie - likely a local woman, a nickname or a folk figure whose story has been lost tae time but whose name stuck tae the landscape.

Pow - Scots for a pool, inlet or hollow whar water gathers or surges.

Together they gie us Katie’s Pow, a name that hints at personality, history and a fair bit o island humour.

Historical Context:

Like many coastal features in Orkney, Katie’s Pow has been shaped by centuries o storms, tides and the relentless bite o the North Sea. Fishermen used it as a landmark, bairns were warned tae keep their distance, and storytellers filled the gaps wi tales o Katie herself - fierce, funny or formidable, dependin on who ye asked.

The name likely dates back tae the 18th or 19th century, when locals wid happily attach a person’s name tae any feature that caused trouble, made noise or looked like it had an attitude.

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 bones, artifacts and stories frae thousands o years ago.

• The Gloup - Mind the edge or ye’ll be meetin the sea faster than planned A collapsed sea cave whar the waves roar in below, echoing 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 stretchin 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.

• 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.

Notable Figures:

Folks with an affinity with Katie’s Pow 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 Katie’s Pow, ye feel the sea’s fury, the wind’s bite and the sense that Katie hersel wid be standin beside ye, hands on hips, tellin the waves tae behave. It’s a place o drama, beauty and pure Orkney character.

And if ye’re huntin for mair names that sound like they belong in a folk tale or a family argument, hae a wander 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