Swona Island
Small Scottish island with free-roaming sheep and seabirds
A small, largely uninhabited island in Orkney, Swona attracts wildlife watchers and boaters for seal and seabird sightings, coastal walks and occasional diving around nearby wreck sites.
Swona at a Glance#
About Swona#
Swona is a small, uninhabited island in Scotland, located in the Pentland Firth area of northern Scotland and administered as part of Orkney. It is known for being free of permanent residents.
The island supports populations of feral cattle and sheep that have lived wild for decades and are often highlighted in natural-history descriptions of Swona. It also provides habitat for seabirds and marine life around its coasts.
Formerly inhabited, the island was permanently abandoned in the 20th century and now lacks regular ferry services; access is by private boat and subject to tidal conditions and weather.
Swona sits in the Pentland Firth between mainland Scotland and the Orkney archipelago, exposed to strong tides and currents characteristic of the strait.
- Feral livestock: Home to feral cattle and sheep that roam the island, descended from animals left by former residents.
How to Get to Swona#
Swona lies in the Pentland Firth/Orkney area and is usually reached by private boat from Orkney’s larger islands (for example Westray or Mainland). There is no scheduled ferry; visitors must charter a local boat and check landing tides and permissions in advance.
Tips for Visiting Swona#
- There is no regular public ferry service - arrange transport from Orkney's local boat operators and confirm landing permissions.
- Bring waterproof boots; the island floods during spring tides and there are no modern amenities.
- Respect wildlife and any conservation notices: the island is a haven for seabirds and for a famously feral herd of livestock that has adapted to the tides.
Best Time to Visit Swona#
Summer is the sensible season for visiting; outside of that the sea and wind make access unpredictable.
Weather & Climate near Swona#
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1029 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 7° | 1° | 106 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 82 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| March | Poor | 3° - 7° | 0° | 94 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | 4° - 8° | 2° | 65 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.2h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 5° | 51 mm | overcast | 82% | 5.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 16.6h |
| June | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 10° | 53 mm | overcast | 83% | 5.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.9h |
| July | Acceptable | 10° - 14° | 12° | 61 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 10° - 15° | 13° | 71 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 15.1h |
| September | Acceptable | 9° - 14° | 11° | 97 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 7° - 12° | 6° | 115 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | 5° - 9° | 3° | 122 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| December | Poor | 4° - 8° | 2° | 112 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.2h |
