SANDWICK, a parish, in the county of Orkney,
14 miles (W. N. W.) from Kirkwall; containing 1033
inhabitants. This parish, which derives its name from
the sandy bay whereon it is situated, was lately disjoined
from that of Stromness. It is bounded on the north by
the parish of Birsay, on the east by that of Harray and
the loch of Stenness, on the south by the parish of
Stromness, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean.
Sandwick is about six miles in extreme length and
nearly four miles in mean breadth, comprising an area
of 10,7'20 acres, of which '2294 are arable, 3'2'24 pasture,
and the remainder undivided common and waste. Its
surface is diversified with hills, which form a range
towards the western boundary, and of which those of
Vcstrafiold and Yonbell to the north, and Gyran and
Lingafiold to the south, stretch from the sea, diminishing
in height towards the east, and sloping gradually to
the shore of the loch. The coast, which is about four
miles in length, is precipitously steep, rising in some parts
to a perpendicular height of 300 feet above the level of
the sea. The waves have washed away the softer portions
of the rock, and formed numerous caverns, separated
by the harder portions, which have the appearance of
isolated columns. The rocks are frequented by pigeons
and various kinds of wild-fowl; and the views from the
eminences on the shore combine scenes of romantic
grandeur and of milder beauty, embracing the Atlantic,
and the most fertile and most highly cultivated of the
Orkney islands. In this parish the soil differs greatly
in different parts: to the east of the bay, for some distance,
it is a loose sand shifting with the wind; in other
parts a yellow clay, and in the valleys a rich black loam
alternated with clay. The principal crops are oats and
bear, with some potatoes. Except in a few instances,
the system of husbandry is in a very backward state,
the chief improvements hitherto introduced being in the
breed of horses, and the use of good agricultural implements:
the farm houses and offices are indifferent; and
from the short duration of the leases, the tenants of the
siriallcr farms have little incentive to improve them. The
cattle are of the breed common to the isies, and hardly
any attempt has been made to better the stock.
There is no wood; but within the last few years two
plantations of common and mountain ash, plane, elm, willow,
&c., have been made, which appear to thrive. The
rocks are ])rincii)ally granite, sandstone flag, sandstone,
and trap. Slates of various kinds, and of different degrees
of thickness, are {piarriod for roofing: a dark kind of
limestone is also found liere, which is l)urnt for lime; and
a liard description of sandstone lying near the granite is
generally used for millstones. Many of the strata contain
fossil fish and plants. The principal manufacture is
that of straw plat, which affords employment to most
of the younger females; the manufacture of kelp is likewise
carried on, but to no great extent, not more than
seven or eight tons being made annually. Cod, haddock,
skate, and herrings are obtained from the Atlantic in
sufficient number tor the supply of the inhabitants; and
also lobsters, many of which are sent to the London
market: trout are found in the loch of Stenness. A
fair for cattle is held in June, near the eastern boundary
of the parish. There is no village. Letters are delivered
through the Stromness post-office, and some facilities of
communication are afforded by a well-constructed road
which passes for two miles through the parish.
For ECCLESIASTICAL purposes this place is within the
limits of the presbytery of Cairston and synod of Orkney.
The minister's stipend, including £8. 6. 8. for communion
elements, is £158. 6. 8., of which £6. 5. 6. are paid from
the exchequer; with a manse built in 1633, and a glebe
valued at £12 per annum: patron, the Earl of Zetland.
Sand wick church, erected in 1836, partly on the foundation
of an ancient structure, is inconveniently situated
on the sea-shore; it is a neat edifice containing 564
sittings. There are places of worship for the United
Presbyterian Synod and Independents. The parochial
school is well attended; the master has a salary of
£34. 4. 4., with a house and garden, but the fees are
very inconsiderable, averaging not more than one shilling
per quarter for each scholar. A parochial library has
been established, which contains nearly 400 volumes.
On the western coast are some remains of the ancient
castle of Snusgar: in the township of Yeskenaby are
remains of a small church with a cemetery. Near the
base of the hill of Lingafiold is a cromlech; and there
is another cromlech in the parish; which also abounds
with tumuli and barrows. Many of these have been
opened, and found to contain pieces of burnt bone, urns,
and other relics. One of the barrows, opened by the
minister, was about fifty yards in circumference and seven
feet and a half in height, formed of a moist adhesive
clay, and covered by a flag- stone, on the removal of which
the grave appeared as perfect as when first made.