White Wife

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

White Wife

Gudon With the Wick of Gossabrough. — Gudon Credit: Oliver Dixon

White Wife is a prominent coastal feature located on the Shetland Islands in Scotland. It is a headland or point that juts out into the North Atlantic Ocean. The name "White Wife" is derived from the Old Norse term "hvitr vif," which translates to "white lady."

This coastal feature is characterized by its dramatic cliffs, which tower above the crashing waves below. The cliffs are composed of rugged rock formations, predominantly made up of sandstone and shale. The layers of rock are often visible, displaying a geological history dating back millions of years.

White Wife offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. On clear days, visitors can see the vast expanse of the ocean, with its deep blue hues stretching out to the horizon. The headland also provides a vantage point for observing seabirds, including puffins, fulmars, and kittiwakes, which nest in the cliffs during the breeding season.

The area surrounding White Wife is rich in marine biodiversity. The waters offshore are home to a variety of fish species, such as cod, haddock, and mackerel. Seals can often be spotted basking on the rocks, while dolphins and porpoises occasionally make appearances, delighting visitors.

Access to White Wife is possible by following a well-marked coastal path that winds its way along the cliffs. However, it is important to exercise caution when visiting, as the cliffs can be unstable and weather conditions can change rapidly. Nonetheless, White Wife is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, geologists, and photographers alike, offering a captivating and picturesque coastal experience.

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White Wife Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.548283/-1.0364956 or Grid Reference HU5285. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Gudon

With the Wick of Gossabrough.

Oliver Dixon

Ness of Queyon

Taken on the B9081 as we pass through East Yell, Yell, Shetland, I am looking across Otters Wick to the Ness of Queyon, the croft of the same name and the Hill of Queyon. The cliffs of Hascosay and Mid Yell can be seen beyond.

Carroll Pierce

Black Skerry

Taken on the B9081 as we pass through East Yell, Yell, Shetland, I am looking east across common cotton-grass and the water of Otters Wick to Black Skerry. The Ness of Queyon is to the left of shot in the middle distance with Mid Yell beyond.

Carroll Pierce

View over Gossabrough

Hay stooks dot the field in front of a bay called the Wick of Gossabrough, named after the small collection of crofts and houses that surround it. The row of buildings on the far side of the bay seems to be called "Bottom" according to the map, and I think that the ruined building in front of them is Gossabrough Haa. Beyond them, in the distance, can be seen a wall on the Ness of Gossabrough, it is in the adjacent square to the east (as are all the building that can be seen), and runs from HU53588307 to HU53508315

Rob Farrow

East Yell: postbox № ZE2 38, Holligarth

A small, lonely postbox serving the hamlet of Gossabrough, which lies alongside the shore of the bay, Wick of Gossabrough, which we see in the background. The box is emptied at 9:30am daily, except Sunday.

Chris Downer

East Yell: postbox № ZE2 59

A small postbox alongside a bus shelter at the junction, a short distance from the post office. The box is emptied at half past nine on weekday and Saturday mornigs.

Chris Downer

East Yell: the White Wife

This unusual monument commemorates a shipping disaster in April 1924. Setting sail from Gothenburg, bound for Chile, the 'Bohus' had been sailing for three days when a navigational error resulted in the ship becoming grounded a short distance from here, some 60 miles off her intended course. Within half an hour most of the ship had broken up. Four of the 39 on board perished, and the survivors owed a lot to the men of Yell who acted swiftly when they saw the tragedy emerging. The ship's figurehead was washed ashore in September 1924 and this is what we see here: erected by local people as a memorial to the tragedy, within sight of where it occurred.

Chris Downer

East Yell: the White Wife looks out

Another view of HU5285 : East Yell: the White Wife, from behind her as she looks out across Otters Wick. Black Skerry is the rock in the centre of the picture. This unusual monument commemorates a shipping disaster in April 1924. Setting sail from Gothenburg, bound for Chile, the 'Bohus' had been sailing for three days when a navigational error resulted in the ship becoming grounded a short distance from here, some 60 miles off her intended course. Within half an hour most of the ship had broken up. Four of the 39 on board perished, and the survivors owed a lot to the men of Yell who acted swiftly when they saw the tragedy emerging. The ship's figurehead was washed ashore in September 1924 and this is what we see here: erected by local people as a memorial to the tragedy, within sight of where it occurred.

Chris Downer

East Yell: north edge of Otters Wick

Looking down on the head of Otters Wick.

Chris Downer

East Yell: the Methodist chapel

A small chapel in the Otterswick area of East Yell.

Chris Downer

Wick of Gossabrough

Looking towards the beach

Graeme Smith

Small Church

A small church near Otterswick

Graeme Smith

Otterswick: Burn of the Mires of Queyintiptins

The course of this, surely one of the longest named streams, can be seen running across the picture left-to-right and then coming towards us into the North Burn of Otterswick, whose northern bank is more prominent across the bottom of the picture.

Chris Downer