Barrel of Butter
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The navigation light on Barrel of Butter | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Barrel of Butter Barrel of Butter shown within Orkney | |
| OS grid reference | HY351008 |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Orkney |
| Political geography | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Orkney Islands |
 | |
| References | [1][2] |
The Barrel of Butter, formerly known as Carlin Skerry, is a skerry situated in Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands.
Geography and geology
The rock is old red sandstone of the Devonian period. There is no soil of any significance on it.[1]
Located in Scapa Flow, between Mainland and Cava, it has a section permanently above sea level. It is to the north east of Cava, and south of Orphir. It is also north of Flotta.
History
Formerly known as Carlin Skerry,[3] the rock gained its strange name, not from its shape, or position, as is often the case, but from the annual rent paid on it, by the residents of Orphir. In return for a barrel of butter per year, they gained permission from the local laird to hunt the seals on it.[1]
On 21 June 1919, the waters between the Barrel of Butter and Cava became full of scuttled German ships, including the SMS Bayern, Markgraf, Cöln, Dresden and König. Some of these are still popular with divers.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
- ↑ Ordnance Survey. Get-a-map (Map). 1:25,000. Leisure. Ordinance Survey. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ↑ "The Barrel of Butter". Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership Scheme. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
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