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Aith Ness

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Aith Ness

Gun emplacement at the summit of Score Hill Score Hill is on Aith Ness at the north of Bressay. All previous photos of this spot (they are worth looking at!) show the gun itself. I therefore assumed, wrongly, that it had been removed between 2013 and 2018, which felt like a rather pointless and expensive operation to me. However, I soon realised that I was wrong. In this photo we are looking almost straight down the gun barrel! (Of course the barrel had been blocked, not that it could have been used in anger anyway.) Apologies to anyone misled by that error. Immediately ahead are Inner Score and Outer Score, with the tiny channel (Gloup of the Scores) between them. On the horizon beyond them is Whalsay, with the Out Skerries on the right. David Purchase
Gun emplacement at the summit of Score Hill Credit: Michael Earnshaw

Aith Ness is a prominent coastal feature located in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. It is characterized as a headland or point jutting out into the North Sea. Situated near the village of Aith, Aith Ness is known for its rugged and picturesque landscape.

With its steep cliffs and rocky shoreline, Aith Ness offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding seascape. The headland is formed by layers of sedimentary rocks, primarily composed of sandstone and shale. These geological formations attract geologists and nature enthusiasts, as they provide valuable insights into the region's geological history.

The area surrounding Aith Ness is rich in wildlife, making it a popular spot for birdwatching and nature photography. Visitors can often observe a variety of seabirds, such as fulmars, guillemots, and puffins, nesting on the cliffs. The waters around the headland are also home to seals and occasionally dolphins, further enhancing the area's natural beauty and appeal.

Aith Ness is easily accessible by road, with a car park available nearby. From there, visitors can embark on walks along the cliffs, taking in the breathtaking views and enjoying the fresh sea air. The headland is also a popular spot for fishing, with anglers often trying their luck from the rocky shoreline.

Overall, Aith Ness is a remarkable coastal feature in the Shetland Islands, known for its dramatic cliffs, diverse wildlife, and captivating natural beauty. It offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking to explore the rugged charm of Scotland's coastal landscapes.

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Aith Ness Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.182144/-1.0812942 or Grid Reference HU5144. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Gun emplacement at the summit of Score Hill Score Hill is on Aith Ness at the north of Bressay. All previous photos of this spot (they are worth looking at!) show the gun itself. I therefore assumed, wrongly, that it had been removed between 2013 and 2018, which felt like a rather pointless and expensive operation to me. However, I soon realised that I was wrong. In this photo we are looking almost straight down the gun barrel! (Of course the barrel had been blocked, not that it could have been used in anger anyway.) Apologies to anyone misled by that error. Immediately ahead are Inner Score and Outer Score, with the tiny channel (Gloup of the Scores) between them. On the horizon beyond them is Whalsay, with the Out Skerries on the right. David Purchase
Gun emplacement at the summit of Score Hill
Score Hill is on Aith Ness at the north of Bressay. All previous photos of this spot (they are worth looking at!) show the gun itself. I therefore assumed, wrongly, that it had been removed between 2013 and 2018, which felt like a rather pointless and expensive operation to me. However, I soon realised that I was wrong. In this photo we are looking almost straight down the gun barrel! (Of course the barrel had been blocked, not that it could have been used in anger anyway.) Apologies to anyone misled by that error. Immediately ahead are Inner Score and Outer Score, with the tiny channel (Gloup of the Scores) between them. On the horizon beyond them is Whalsay, with the Out Skerries on the right. David Purchase
Score Head, Bressay, from the sea
Score Head, Bressay, from the sea
Score Head, Bressay, from the sea
Score Head, Bressay, from the sea
Outer Score, Score Head, Bressay, from the sea
Outer Score, Score Head, Bressay, from the sea
View across Gunnista churchyard to Aith Voe Gunnista is a little settlement at the north of the island of Bressay. There is a walled churchyard here for the long vanished St Ola's Church. The graveyard contains a notable mausoleum and gravestones many of them quite recent. Beyond the land can be seen the landward end of Aith Voe, an inlet that curls round southeastwards from the north, and beyond that the land is the southern end of Aith Ness. For photographs of the mausoleum and churchyard, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2707684">HU5043 : Churchyard and Mausoleum, Gunnista</a> <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2707683">HU5043 : Gunnista Mausoleum</a>
View across Gunnista churchyard to Aith Voe
Gunnista is a little settlement at the north of the island of Bressay. There is a walled churchyard here for the long vanished St Ola's Church. The graveyard contains a notable mausoleum and gravestones many of them quite recent. Beyond the land can be seen the landward end of Aith Voe, an inlet that curls round southeastwards from the north, and beyond that the land is the southern end of Aith Ness. For photographs of the mausoleum and churchyard, see HU5043 : Churchyard and Mausoleum, Gunnista HU5043 : Gunnista Mausoleum
Gunnista Mausoleum This small mausoleum in the churchyard of the now vanished St Ola's Church was built for the Hendersons of Gardie. St Ola's was the parish church for the island of Bressay until the 1720s when a new church was built at Mail on the west of the island. The old church fell into ruin and was demolished. The mausoleum dates from the C18th and may stand where the old church once stood.
Gunnista Mausoleum
This small mausoleum in the churchyard of the now vanished St Ola's Church was built for the Hendersons of Gardie. St Ola's was the parish church for the island of Bressay until the 1720s when a new church was built at Mail on the west of the island. The old church fell into ruin and was demolished. The mausoleum dates from the C18th and may stand where the old church once stood.
Churchyard and Mausoleum, Gunnista The churchyard of the vanished St Ola's church, once the parish church for the island of Bressay contains the Henderson Mausoleum and a number of more recent headstones. Information about the Hendersons of Gardie here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://shetlopedia.com/Henderson_of_Gardie_-_Grant%27s_County_Families" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://shetlopedia.com/Henderson_of_Gardie_-_Grant%27s_County_Families">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Churchyard and Mausoleum, Gunnista
The churchyard of the vanished St Ola's church, once the parish church for the island of Bressay contains the Henderson Mausoleum and a number of more recent headstones. Information about the Hendersons of Gardie here LinkExternal link
Inside the Henderson Mausoleum at Gunnista The rectangular mausoleum in the churchyard of the former St Ola's church at Gunnista was built for the Hendersons of Gardie. see <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://shetlopedia.com/Henderson_of_Gardie_-_Grant%27s_County_Families" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://shetlopedia.com/Henderson_of_Gardie_-_Grant%27s_County_Families">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Inside the Henderson Mausoleum at Gunnista
The rectangular mausoleum in the churchyard of the former St Ola's church at Gunnista was built for the Hendersons of Gardie. see LinkExternal link
A tomb with a view A view through the eastern window of the Henderson Mausoleum in the churchyard of the long-demolished church of St Ola at Gunnista on Bressay. Through the window can be seen the landward end of Aith Voe. Information on the Henderson family of Gardie here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://shetlopedia.com/Henderson_of_Gardie_-_Grant%27s_County_Families" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://shetlopedia.com/Henderson_of_Gardie_-_Grant%27s_County_Families">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
A tomb with a view
A view through the eastern window of the Henderson Mausoleum in the churchyard of the long-demolished church of St Ola at Gunnista on Bressay. Through the window can be seen the landward end of Aith Voe. Information on the Henderson family of Gardie here LinkExternal link
Ruin across Aith Voe from Gunnista Looking across Aith Voe from the churchyard at Gunnista, the ruins of a building which I believe was a factory involved in the herring industry. It has a large concrete "courtyard" in front of it, presumably for dealing with the landed catch. Beyond the ruined building can be glimpsed a little of the small Loch of Aithness. It seems there were several quarries on Aith Ness which I think produced slate.
Ruin across Aith Voe from Gunnista
Looking across Aith Voe from the churchyard at Gunnista, the ruins of a building which I believe was a factory involved in the herring industry. It has a large concrete "courtyard" in front of it, presumably for dealing with the landed catch. Beyond the ruined building can be glimpsed a little of the small Loch of Aithness. It seems there were several quarries on Aith Ness which I think produced slate.
Score Hill Score Hill, 66 metres and a P62 hill. Richard Speirs appears to be having some trouble with the firing pin of this old gun.
Score Hill
Score Hill, 66 metres and a P62 hill. Richard Speirs appears to be having some trouble with the firing pin of this old gun.
View Up Track Towards Bruntland A view up the track to the dwellings at Bruntland. A good drainage ditch beside the track.
View Up Track Towards Bruntland
A view up the track to the dwellings at Bruntland. A good drainage ditch beside the track.
House And Boat At Aith
House And Boat At Aith
Coastline at Score Head The most northerly point of Bressay.
Coastline at Score Head
The most northerly point of Bressay.
Gunnista croftland Northern Bressay.
Gunnista croftland
Northern Bressay.
Gunnista
Gunnista
Gunnista
Gunnista
Gunnista looking North
Gunnista looking North
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Aith Ness is located at Grid Ref: HU5144 (Lat: 60.182144, Lng: -1.0812942)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///tapers.encrusted.darting. Near Lerwick, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Blue Geo Erne's Hill Loch of Aithness Score Hill Skeo Taing Bars Geo

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.182144,-1.0812942
Coastal Defence Gun
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 60.184105/-1.0769386
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Score Hill
Man Made: survey_point
Lat/Long: 60.184215/-1.0769895
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Swevers Taing Shetland
Lunning Head Shetland

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