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Loch of Bretto

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Shetland

Scotland

Loch of Bretto

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

Loch of Bretto is a small freshwater body located in the northern region of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. Situated near the village of Bretto, this loch encompasses an area of approximately 4 hectares. Surrounded by rolling hills and heather-covered moorland, it is a picturesque and tranquil location.

The loch is relatively shallow, with an average depth of around 2 meters. Its water is fresh and clear, sourced primarily from rainfall and surrounding streams. Loch of Bretto is home to a diverse range of aquatic flora and fauna, including various species of water plants, insects, and fish.

The surrounding area of the loch is predominantly covered in grasses and sedges, creating a lush and vibrant freshwater marsh ecosystem. This marshland serves as an important habitat for numerous bird species, such as ducks, grebes, and waders, which migrate to the loch during different seasons.

Loch of Bretto is a popular spot for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, who can observe a variety of birds in their natural habitat. The tranquil environment also makes it an ideal location for fishing, with anglers often catching species such as brown trout and pike.

Access to Loch of Bretto is relatively easy, with a nearby road providing convenient parking facilities. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape, take leisurely walks along the loch's shores, or simply relax and immerse themselves in the peaceful ambiance of this charming freshwater body.

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Loch of Bretto Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.247612/-1.2342154 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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Loch of Bretto is located at Grid Ref: HU4251 (Lat: 60.247612, Lng: -1.2342154)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///acrobatic.fancied.sings. Near Aith, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

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

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Located within 500m of 60.247612,-1.2342154
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Loch of Swinister Shetland
Stockton Reservoir Warwickshire

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