North Gaulton Castle Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is hidden near North Gaulton Castle (which is a sea stack) located on the western coast of the Orkneys. DUE TO THE DANGEROUS GEO-PHYSICAL NATURE OF THIS COASTLINE IT IS ADVISABLE THAT CHILDREN OR PETS ARE NOT TAKEN ON THIS GEOCACHE. Also watch out for the ever changing weather conditions of the Orkneys, one minute it can be sunny, the next thick fog and then it's all blown away by a gale. Have Fun.
Finding this cache is far more enjoyable if you start off from the town of Stromness heading north west along the Outertown Road. Along the way you will find ancient burial mounds (keep your eyes open.) Also a Second World War lookout post for these strategically important islands during the great wars. While your in the Orkneys why not visit Scapa Flow a natural harbour and see the wrecks of the Grand German Fleet scuttled here during their internment at the end of World War One. Also don't miss out on a visit to the Italian Chapel and the Churchill Barriers both built by the Italian Prisoners of War during World War Two.
If you prefer you can park your vehicle at the public car park at the end of the Yesnaby Road Co-ords N59 01.497 W3 21.530 for an easier hike south to this cache.
This cache is not hidden over a cliff edge or under that mound of stones on top of the castle, you wouldn't catch me up there!
The Yesnaby cliffs are formed by layer upon layer of the old red sandstone which makes up most of Orkneys. All around this area there are fossils of various types such as Stromatolites and algae which grew in the lake that covered Orkney 350 million years ago during the Devonian Period.
Take a look to the south, and if the weathers good you may see the outline of The Old Man of Hoy, the largest sea stack in the UK. Many people each year climb this sea stack along with North Gaulton Castle and it's little brother Yesnaby Castle just a little further north form this Geocache.
On the moors, look out for small purple flowers with a yellow centre. These are rare Scottish primroses found only in Orkneys, Shetland and Caithness.
The geocache contains:
A Log Book and Pencil
Some Tattoos
A Skara Brae Eraser
An Orkney Fridge Magnet
A Puffin Soft Toy
A Wooden Ship
Jumping Teeth with Feet
Orkney Embroided Badge
Orkney Postcard
Viking Boat Keyring
3 Spare Plastic Bags and Red Sticky Tape to reseal geocache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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