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Girsie Loch

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Shetland

Scotland

Girsie Loch

Frozen Loch of Girlsta Girlsta is Shetland's deepest loch, and rarely freezes.
Frozen Loch of Girlsta Credit: Mike Pennington

Girsie Loch is a small freshwater loch located in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. It is situated in the central part of the mainland, near the village of Sandwater. The loch covers an area of approximately 2.5 hectares and has a maximum depth of about 3 meters.

Surrounded by gentle rolling hills and heather moorland, Girsie Loch is a picturesque spot that attracts both locals and tourists alike. Its tranquil and secluded location offers visitors a peaceful retreat and an opportunity to connect with nature.

The loch provides a habitat for a variety of aquatic plants and animals, including water lilies, reeds, and waterfowl. It is known for its diverse birdlife, with species such as mallards, tufted ducks, and mute swans frequently spotted on its waters. The surrounding marshes and wetlands support a range of wading birds, including redshanks and lapwings.

The area around Girsie Loch is also rich in archaeological history. Nearby, there are several prehistoric sites, including standing stones and burial mounds, indicating human presence in the area dating back thousands of years.

Visitors to Girsie Loch can enjoy a peaceful stroll around its shores, take in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape, or indulge in birdwatching and wildlife photography. Fishing is also allowed in the loch, attracting anglers looking to catch brown trout and perch. The loch is accessible by a small parking area, and there are walking paths leading to it from the nearby village.

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Girsie Loch Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.249454/-1.2406757 or Grid Reference HU4251. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Frozen Loch of Girlsta Girlsta is Shetland's deepest loch, and rarely freezes.
Frozen Loch of Girlsta
Girlsta is Shetland's deepest loch, and rarely freezes.
Boat on the shore of a frozen Loch of Girlsta
Boat on the shore of a frozen Loch of Girlsta
Frozen outflow from Loch of Girlsta
Frozen outflow from Loch of Girlsta
The A970 heading for Lerwick The Loch of Girlsta is on the left.
The A970 heading for Lerwick
The Loch of Girlsta is on the left.
Loch of Girlsta View from the A970 of the Loch of Girlsta
Loch of Girlsta
View from the A970 of the Loch of Girlsta
Loch of Girlsta From a convenient lay-by on the A970. When the many good new roads were built on Shetland using 'oil money' the old winding roads made good lay-bys.
Loch of Girlsta
From a convenient lay-by on the A970. When the many good new roads were built on Shetland using 'oil money' the old winding roads made good lay-bys.
Deserted settlement of Bretto A familiar scene in many parts of Shetland. Making a living off the land and sea must have been very hard, the weather did not help either!
Deserted settlement of Bretto
A familiar scene in many parts of Shetland. Making a living off the land and sea must have been very hard, the weather did not help either!
Soggy moorland Leading down to Loch of Girlsta.
Soggy moorland
Leading down to Loch of Girlsta.
The Junction Bus Stop near Girlsta The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
The Junction Bus Stop near Girlsta
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
Motorcyclists on the A970 near Girlsta The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
Motorcyclists on the A970 near Girlsta
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
Loch of Girlsta The loch at Girlsta is the deepest in Shetland, at about 65ft deep in places. The name "Girlsta" comes from the Old Norse "Geirhildastadr" - meaning "the place of Geirhilda". Geirhilda was a young Viking princess, daughter of the famous 9th century Viking explorer, Flóki Vilgerðarson. According to local folklore, Geirhilda drowned in the loch after falling through the ice and she is buried on the small island within the loch. More information about the story at <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.shetlandwithlaurie.com/blog/geirhildrs-loch-a-viking-saga" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.shetlandwithlaurie.com/blog/geirhildrs-loch-a-viking-saga">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> (Shetland with Laurie) and <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://madbassist.wixsite.com/hobbitpaw/folklore" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://madbassist.wixsite.com/hobbitpaw/folklore">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> (Folklore and Shetland Stories)
Loch of Girlsta
The loch at Girlsta is the deepest in Shetland, at about 65ft deep in places. The name "Girlsta" comes from the Old Norse "Geirhildastadr" - meaning "the place of Geirhilda". Geirhilda was a young Viking princess, daughter of the famous 9th century Viking explorer, Flóki Vilgerðarson. According to local folklore, Geirhilda drowned in the loch after falling through the ice and she is buried on the small island within the loch. More information about the story at LinkExternal link (Shetland with Laurie) and LinkExternal link (Folklore and Shetland Stories)
Girlsta Island The loch at Girlsta is the deepest in Shetland, at about 65ft deep in places. The name "Girlsta" comes from the Old Norse "Geirhildastadr" - meaning "the place of Geirhilda". Geirhilda was a young Viking princess, daughter of the famous 9th century Viking explorer, Flóki Vilgerðarson. According to local folklore Geirhilda drowned in the loch after falling through the ice and she is buried on the small island within the loch. More information about the story at <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.shetlandwithlaurie.com/blog/geirhildrs-loch-a-viking-saga" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.shetlandwithlaurie.com/blog/geirhildrs-loch-a-viking-saga">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> (Shetland with Laurie) and <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://madbassist.wixsite.com/hobbitpaw/folklore" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://madbassist.wixsite.com/hobbitpaw/folklore">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> (Folklore and Shetland Stories)
Girlsta Island
The loch at Girlsta is the deepest in Shetland, at about 65ft deep in places. The name "Girlsta" comes from the Old Norse "Geirhildastadr" - meaning "the place of Geirhilda". Geirhilda was a young Viking princess, daughter of the famous 9th century Viking explorer, Flóki Vilgerðarson. According to local folklore Geirhilda drowned in the loch after falling through the ice and she is buried on the small island within the loch. More information about the story at LinkExternal link (Shetland with Laurie) and LinkExternal link (Folklore and Shetland Stories)
A970 near Girlsta The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
A970 near Girlsta
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
Northbound A970 near Girlsta The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
Northbound A970 near Girlsta
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
Small Layby on the A970 Overlooking Girlsta Loch The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
Small Layby on the A970 Overlooking Girlsta Loch
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
Southbound A970, Girlsta The loch at Girlsta is the deepest in Shetland, at about 65ft deep in places. The name "Girlsta" comes from the Old Norse "Geirhildastadr" - meaning "the place of Geirhilda". Geirhilda was a young Viking princess, daughter of the famous 9th century Viking explorer, Flóki Vilgerðarson. According to local folklore Geirhilda drowned in the loch after falling through the ice and she is buried on the small island within the loch. More information about the story at <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.shetlandwithlaurie.com/blog/geirhildrs-loch-a-viking-saga" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.shetlandwithlaurie.com/blog/geirhildrs-loch-a-viking-saga">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> (Shetland with Laurie) and <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://madbassist.wixsite.com/hobbitpaw/folklore" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://madbassist.wixsite.com/hobbitpaw/folklore">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> (Folklore and Shetland Stories)
Southbound A970, Girlsta
The loch at Girlsta is the deepest in Shetland, at about 65ft deep in places. The name "Girlsta" comes from the Old Norse "Geirhildastadr" - meaning "the place of Geirhilda". Geirhilda was a young Viking princess, daughter of the famous 9th century Viking explorer, Flóki Vilgerðarson. According to local folklore Geirhilda drowned in the loch after falling through the ice and she is buried on the small island within the loch. More information about the story at LinkExternal link (Shetland with Laurie) and LinkExternal link (Folklore and Shetland Stories)
Northbound A970 near Girlsta The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
Northbound A970 near Girlsta
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
A970 passing Loch of Girlsta The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
A970 passing Loch of Girlsta
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
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Girsie Loch is located at Grid Ref: HU4251 (Lat: 60.249454, Lng: -1.2406757)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///objective.spring.light. Near Aith, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Hill of Girlsta Knowe of Bretto Loch of Bretto Loomi Shun Longnecked Loch Girsie Loch

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