Barrel of Butter, Rocky formation in Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, United Kingdom
The Barrel of Butter is a rocky skerry in Scapa Flow between Mainland and Cava in the Orkney Islands. The grey formation supports a metal platform lighthouse built in 1980, which continues to guide vessels through these waters.
German warships were deliberately sunk near this rock in June 1919, including SMS Bayern, Markgraf, Cöln, Dresden, and König. These scuttlings were part of post-war disarmament and left wrecks that mark the strategic history of these waters.
The name comes from an old agreement where locals traded a barrel of butter for rights to hunt seals near this rock. Such informal deals shaped how island communities managed shared resources and access.
The lighthouse emits two white flashes every ten seconds and can be seen from about 8 miles (13 kilometers) away. The best views are from Cava island or from the water on calm days.
The rock is made of red sandstone from the Devonian period, an unusual geological feature for this area. This distinctive colouring makes it easy to spot from a distance and adds to its role as a navigation marker.
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