Lunning Head

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Lunning Head

Orra Wick Looking down on Orra Wick with the Whalsay ferry making her way in the background.
Orra Wick Credit: David Nicolson

Lunning Head is a prominent coastal feature located in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. It is a headland or point that extends into the North Sea, forming the easternmost tip of Mainland Shetland, the largest island in the archipelago. Lunning Head is situated near the village of Lerwick, the main settlement in Shetland.

The headland is characterized by steep cliffs that rise up to approximately 100 meters (330 feet) above sea level. These cliffs are composed of rugged rock formations, primarily consisting of ancient sedimentary rocks such as sandstone and shale. The exposed cliffs provide breathtaking views of the surrounding sea and the nearby islands of Bressay and Noss.

Lunning Head is also known for its diverse wildlife. The surrounding waters are home to a variety of marine life, including seals, porpoises, and even occasional sightings of whales. The cliffs serve as nesting sites for seabirds, such as puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes, making it a popular spot for birdwatching.

The headland is easily accessible by foot, with several walking trails and paths leading to its summit. These paths offer visitors the opportunity to explore the rugged coastline and take in the stunning scenery. On a clear day, it is possible to see as far as Fair Isle, a small island located around 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the south.

Overall, Lunning Head is a picturesque coastal feature that offers visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty and wildlife of the Shetland Islands.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Lunning Head Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.386065/-1.0752859 or Grid Reference HU5167. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Orra Wick Looking down on Orra Wick with the Whalsay ferry making her way in the background.
Orra Wick
Looking down on Orra Wick with the Whalsay ferry making her way in the background.
Starns Water
Starns Water
Bench Vird Bagged with Tricky Speirs after our Out Skerries trip.  Summit is large rock in the back middle of picture.
Name: Bench Vird
Hill number: 103859
Height: 128m / 420ft
Area: 22: Shetland Islands
Class: 1
Grid ref: HU495664 (est)
Drop: 30m
Col: 98m
Bench Vird
Bagged with Tricky Speirs after our Out Skerries trip. Summit is large rock in the back middle of picture. Name: Bench Vird Hill number: 103859 Height: 128m / 420ft Area: 22: Shetland Islands Class: 1 Grid ref: HU495664 (est) Drop: 30m Col: 98m
Lunning Ruined crofthouse being taken over by Rosebay Willowherb.
Lunning
Ruined crofthouse being taken over by Rosebay Willowherb.
Lunning Cliffs Cliffs at Lunning point below trig point
Lunning Cliffs
Cliffs at Lunning point below trig point
Lunning Head Trig Point Triangulation point 10545 at Lunning Head
Lunning Head Trig Point
Triangulation point 10545 at Lunning Head
Cliff Face Cliffs just below Swevers Taing
Cliff Face
Cliffs just below Swevers Taing
Cliff Face Cliffs looking to the south
Cliff Face
Cliffs looking to the south
Cleva Water, Lunnasting. View east with the island of Whalsay in the distance.
Cleva Water, Lunnasting.
View east with the island of Whalsay in the distance.
Lunning, Vidlin
Lunning, Vidlin
Lunning Vidlin
Lunning Vidlin
Dallican Water Dallican Water, a small lochan, Catta Ness, Lunnasting.
Dallican Water
Dallican Water, a small lochan, Catta Ness, Lunnasting.
Starns Water Starns Water, Lunnasting, a shallow loch with thick weed/reed beds.
Starns Water
Starns Water, Lunnasting, a shallow loch with thick weed/reed beds.
The Taing, Lunnasting Headland at the mouth of Vidlin Voe.
The Taing, Lunnasting
Headland at the mouth of Vidlin Voe.
The Taing, Lunnasting Looking across to the trig point in Lunning Head.
The Taing, Lunnasting
Looking across to the trig point in Lunning Head.
Show me another place!

Lunning Head is located at Grid Ref: HU5167 (Lat: 60.386065, Lng: -1.0752859)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///fault.explained.wing. Near Vidlin, Shetland Islands

Related Wikis

Little Linga

Little Linga is a small island in the Shetland Islands. It is near West Linga and Vidlin on Mainland, Shetland. It is 20 metres (66 ft) at its highest...

West Linga

West Linga is an uninhabited island located between Mainland and Whalsay in Shetland, Scotland. == Geography and geology == West Linga is a long narrow...

Lunna House

Lunna House is a 17th-century laird's house on Lunna Ness in the Shetland Islands. Lunna House is noted for having "the best historic designed landscape...

Vidlin

Vidlin (from Old Norse: VaĆ°ill meaning a ford) is a small village located on Mainland, Shetland, Scotland. The settlement is within the parish of Nesting...

Linga Sound, Shetland

Linga Sound is the strait between the islands of Whalsay and West Linga in the Shetland islands of Scotland. The sound has a depth of 11 to 12 fathoms...

Lunna Ness

Lunna Ness is a peninsula in the north east of Mainland, Shetland, Scotland , in the parish of Lunnasting near Vidlin. The island of Lunna Holm is nearby...

Skate of Marrister

The Skate of Marrister is a flat ledge that extends about 300 yards (270 m) from the western shore of Whalsay, in the Shetland islands of Scotland. It...

Marrister

Marrister is a settlement on the west coast of Whalsay in the parish of Nesting in the Shetland islands of Scotland. It looks across Linga Sound to the...

Have you been to Lunning Head?

Leave your review of Lunning Head below (or comments, questions and feedback).