Deerness (/ˈdɪərnɪs/, locally /ˈdɛrnɪs/, Old Norse: Dyrnes) is a quoad sacra parish[2] (i.e. one created and functioning for ecclesiastical purposes only) and peninsula in Mainland, Orkney, Scotland.

The inscription on the monument reads "For Christ His Crown Covenant, erected by public subscription Aug. 1888 to the memory of the 200 covenanters who were taken prisoners at Bothwell Bridge, and sentence to transportation for life; but who perished by shipwreck near this spot on 10th December 1679.

He was a profane cruel wretch, and used them barbarously, stowing them up between decks, where they could not get up their heads except to sit or lean, and robbing them of many things their friends sent them for their relief.

But after casting anchor, the ship did drive with great violence upon a rugged shore about the isles, and struck about ten at night on a rock.

The captain, and all the rest of the seamen, with about fifty prisoners, some of whom had been above deck before, others had broke out some other way, down to the den, and so up again, so that they wan to land with their life in; one or two died ashore.