Mill Loch

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Shetland

Scotland

Mill Loch

Ruins of Park Hall A once fine house now left to its fate.
Ruins of Park Hall Credit: Des Blenkinsopp

Mill Loch is a picturesque freshwater loch located on the island of Shetland, Scotland. Situated in the parish of Sandwick, it covers an area of approximately 1.4 hectares and is surrounded by serene rolling hills and heather-covered moorland.

The loch has a relatively shallow depth, with an average of around 2 meters. It is fed by a small stream that originates from the nearby hills, ensuring a constant flow of freshwater into the loch. The water is exceptionally clear and provides a habitat for various aquatic organisms, including fish, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Surrounding the loch is a diverse range of plant species, forming a lush freshwater marsh. This marshland is home to a myriad of wildlife, including waterfowl such as ducks, swans, and geese, which frequently visit the loch to feed and breed. The marsh also attracts a variety of wading birds, which can be observed feeding on the abundant invertebrates found in the shallow waters.

Mill Loch is a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers due to its rich biodiversity and tranquil ambiance. The surrounding area offers several walking trails, allowing visitors to explore the loch and its surroundings. Fishing is also permitted in the loch, with trout being the most common catch.

Overall, Mill Loch is a haven of natural beauty and serves as an important habitat for both flora and fauna. Its peaceful atmosphere and stunning surroundings make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a connection with nature in the heart of Shetland.

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Mill Loch Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.248738/-1.4211354 or Grid Reference HU3251. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ruins of Park Hall A once fine house now left to its fate.
Ruins of Park Hall
A once fine house now left to its fate.
Another part of Wallacetown Wallacetown on the map looks like it comprises two houses.
This isn't this one <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3472657">HU3052 : Wallacetown</a> so it must be the other one.
Another part of Wallacetown
Wallacetown on the map looks like it comprises two houses. This isn't this one HU3052 : Wallacetown so it must be the other one.
View towards Turdale Water
View towards Turdale Water
Park Hall, Bixter A substantial but derelict house built of concrete circa 1900. Has been derelict since at least 1990 and is on the at risk register. See <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/details/899745" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/details/899745">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>.
Park Hall, Bixter
A substantial but derelict house built of concrete circa 1900. Has been derelict since at least 1990 and is on the at risk register. See LinkExternal link.
Effirth Near Bixter.
Effirth
Near Bixter.
Bixter Voe View across to Bixter Voe
Bixter Voe
View across to Bixter Voe
The road to Twatt
The road to Twatt
Selfie with a sign, Twatt There are queues now to photographed with this signpost!
Selfie with a sign, Twatt
There are queues now to photographed with this signpost!
Glenburn, Effirth
Glenburn, Effirth
Track at Laxaburn, near Effirth
Track at Laxaburn, near Effirth
Hockland, near Effirth
Hockland, near Effirth
Moorfield, near Effirth
Moorfield, near Effirth
Twatt kirk
Twatt kirk
Ara Clett Chambered Cairn Chambered Cairn north west of Park Hall at the A971/B9071 junction.
Turdale Water on the left in the distance.
Ara Clett Chambered Cairn
Chambered Cairn north west of Park Hall at the A971/B9071 junction. Turdale Water on the left in the distance.
Park Hall, A971 Bixter, Shetland Category C Listed Laird's house of poured concrete construction of about 1900. Built by a Doctor Bowie, Park Hall is an example of the early 20th century practice in Shetland for building in in-situ concrete. A photograph of it under construction shows a large Moorish temple in the garden which actually functioned as the septic tank. If this is Thomas Ross Bowie, he was a Customs Officer born 1839 and was resident in Aberdeen in 1881 and died at Park Hall in Oct 1915. His son however James Cameron Bowie was a doctor resident in Aberdeen 1891 and died in Park Hall in Feb 1932. The doctors eldest two (of 10) children are recorded as having died within 12 days of each other in 1914 with influenza. One was four, the other was two. Is this possibly why it fell into ruin and no-one actually wanted to live there? It was sold by the Bowie family in the 1990s and later fell to the Crown Office in 2004 who promptly disclaimed ownership after a survey. The Shetland Amenity Trust showed interest and one report states they bought it for £1 but this is no more than rumour. The Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland lists the condition as very poor and in the report of 2014 states that "External inspection finds the roof continues to collapse."
Park Hall, A971 Bixter, Shetland
Category C Listed Laird's house of poured concrete construction of about 1900. Built by a Doctor Bowie, Park Hall is an example of the early 20th century practice in Shetland for building in in-situ concrete. A photograph of it under construction shows a large Moorish temple in the garden which actually functioned as the septic tank. If this is Thomas Ross Bowie, he was a Customs Officer born 1839 and was resident in Aberdeen in 1881 and died at Park Hall in Oct 1915. His son however James Cameron Bowie was a doctor resident in Aberdeen 1891 and died in Park Hall in Feb 1932. The doctors eldest two (of 10) children are recorded as having died within 12 days of each other in 1914 with influenza. One was four, the other was two. Is this possibly why it fell into ruin and no-one actually wanted to live there? It was sold by the Bowie family in the 1990s and later fell to the Crown Office in 2004 who promptly disclaimed ownership after a survey. The Shetland Amenity Trust showed interest and one report states they bought it for £1 but this is no more than rumour. The Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland lists the condition as very poor and in the report of 2014 states that "External inspection finds the roof continues to collapse."
Effirth Voe
Effirth Voe
Effirth Voe looking southwards from B9071
Effirth Voe looking southwards from B9071
B9071 looking towards Bixter
B9071 looking towards Bixter
Show me another place!

Mill Loch is located at Grid Ref: HU3251 (Lat: 60.248738, Lng: -1.4211354)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///choppers.nerd.fantastic. Near Aith, Shetland Islands

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Mill Loch Scarf Ayre

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.248738,-1.4211354
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Lat/Long: 60.2464565/-1.4144757
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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