Ness Of Ireland Circular
Details
Distance: 8km
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 3hours
Height Gain: 70m
Area Of Shetland: South Mainland
Starting Point: HU 373 217
End Point: HU 373 217
Map: OS Explorer 466: Shetland - Lerwick, Sumburgh and Fair Isle
Description
This walk starts at the car park beside the cemetery in the village of Ireland (Ayre-land), which takes its name from the beach (ayre) that forms the shore of Ireland Wick near the village. To the south of Ireland Wick is the magnificent ‘ayre’ or beach tombolo of St. Ninian’s Isle. Lying to the south-west, St Ninian’s Isle makes a wonderful scenic backdrop for much of this walk.
Pass through the gate by the corner of the cemetery wall and follow the cliffs north crossing fences using stiles then a gate which will keep you inside the fence at the Geo of Slough. This geo is magnificent chasm carved into the steeply dipping bedrock by the sea. Quirks of wind and tide must make this geo a collection point for flotsam and jetsam and that may be the reason for the crude assemblage of wooden ladders leading down the sheer cliff face.
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Continue to follow cliff tops past the grass covered Holm of Griskerry (from gríss meaning pig); notice undulating folds in quartz rich bedrock along its north flank. From the top of next headland, Tromba of Griskerry, there a wonderful view of the jagged sea stacks at the Billa Cletts. At Billa Cletts you should cross the fence by the gate then return to the north side of the geo to look back at the natural arch in the headland.
Further along the coast there are more interesting exposures of folded rocks at the Burgi Stacks. From here there is a steep climb past the intriguingly named Seat of Mandrup and a white quartz vein to the headland of Sheep Pund overlooking the sheer drop into Corbie Geo.
From the Knowe of Burgarth, above Corbie Geo, continue along the cliff tops for magnificent views to the north of Cliff Sound and South Havra (oats island) then descend onto the long flat headland that terminates in the Taing of Maywick. In summer Shetland’s annual ‘pirate’ visitor, the Bonxie (Great Skua), favours this headland. From the east side of the headland there is a great view of the settlement of Maywick and its beach of silver sand.
From the hill above Maywick head south along the ridge via a series of field gates, keeping ruined crofts of Yaafield on your left, until you join the metalled track. This route gives a great view of the whole of Vatsetter Loch in the valley below. Further on the track joins with a tarmac road that takes you back through Ireland to the start point.
to walk
