Holm of Faray

The Holm of Faray is a small island in Orkney, Scotland, near Faray and Westray, which it lies between. Together with its neighbour Faray, it is designated a SSSI due to its importance as a haul-out site and breeding area for grey seals.^[1]

Holm of Faray

Natural arch at northern point of Holm of Faray
Location
Holm of Faray Holm of Faray shown within Orkney
OS grid reference	HY526386
Coordinates	59.23°N 2.83°W / 59.23; -2.83
Physical geography
Island group	Orkney
Administration
Council area	Orkney Islands
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Demographics
Population	0

Geography and geology

Holm of Faray is made up of red sandstone.^[2] It is effectively a continuation of Faray, but separated from it by Lavey Sound. It has a "head" and a "torso", which are created by East Bight and West Bight, which almost create a separate islet. It is 16 m (52 ft) at its highest point.

It is on the west side of the Sound of Faray, which separates it from tiny Red Holm, and the North Ayre on Eday which is 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away. It is separated from Westray by Rapness Sound in the west (an extension of Westray Firth) and Weatherness Sound to the north.