Auk Hole of Jibidi

A fine sea-cave which is about 40 m until it sumps (at or near high tide) before re-emerging in a substantial cavern which appears to be largely intertidal (photo 4).

It is unknown whether or not the sump extends to the low tide level. The maximum tidal range for Kirkwall is 3.6 m.

Notes: Length guesstimate is based on the estimate of 40 m to the sump, given in the video below. It may be longer - bearing in mind that there appears to be an extension tunnel beyond the inner beach. No information in the video as to tunnel direction, or any bends in it.

Links and Resources:

OS has 'cave' in the V of the Geo of Jibidi.
OS Namebook for Orkney, parish of Shapinsay has "Auk Holes: Applies to Caves in face of precipice, on the east coast of Shapinsay, between Kirn Stane and Geo of Jibidi 1/8 of a mile E. of Castle Bloody"
video by N Isles Landscape Partnership which features this cave from about 3 mins in.
Photo 1 shows the entrance on the right. Frame from above video at 3:05. Matches well with Canmore Aerial at the above NGR.
Photo 2 shows just inside the entrance as the cave narrows down to a lower round arch. Frame from above video at 3:13.
Photo 3 shows wall and ceiling at what was the apparent end of the tunnel with the tide level quite high. Frame from the above video at 5:06. The video gives the distance to this wall as being about 40 m.
Photo 4 shows the west end of the inner cavern with its beach. Somewhat obscured by a drip on the camera lens is a low and quite wide entrance to an extension tunnel beyond the back wall.

This entry was last updated: 2025-01-11 16:03:00

Errors or omissions in this information? Submit corrections/additions/comments for this entry to the registrars.

NGR:	HY 53781 16440
WGS84:	59.03248, -2.80696
Length:	70 m
Vert. Range:	Not recorded
Altitude:	-2 m
Geology:	Lower Eday Sandstone Formation - sandstone
Tags:	Cave, SeaCave
Registry:	main

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