Hill of Gunnista

Hill, Mountain in Shetland

Scotland

Hill of Gunnista

The lane to Setter, Bressay Running across the slopes of the Hill of Setter. — The lane to Setter, Bressay Credit: David Purchase

The Hill of Gunnista is a prominent feature located in the beautiful Shetland Islands, off the northern coast of Scotland. Rising to an elevation of 208 meters (682 feet), it is considered one of the highest hills in the region. Situated near the village of Sand, the hill offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

The Hill of Gunnista is characterized by its distinctive shape, with a gently sloping terrain leading to a rounded summit. The hill is primarily composed of sandstone, giving it a unique reddish-brown color. This geological composition has resulted in the formation of interesting rock formations and outcrops throughout the area.

The hill is covered in heather and grass, providing a picturesque sight, especially during the summer months when the heather blooms in vibrant purples and pinks. The area is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including wildflowers, birds, and small mammals.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Hill of Gunnista offers excellent opportunities for hiking and hillwalking. Several well-defined paths and trails lead to the summit, making it easily accessible for both experienced hikers and casual walkers. The climb to the top is relatively gentle, and the reward is a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside, including the nearby coastline and the vast expanse of the North Sea.

Overall, the Hill of Gunnista is a popular destination for nature lovers, offering a combination of natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and recreational activities. Whether one seeks a challenging hike or simply wishes to enjoy the tranquility of the Shetland landscape, this hill provides an idyllic setting.

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Hill of Gunnista Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.171121/-1.105427 or Grid Reference HU4943. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The lane to Setter, Bressay

Running across the slopes of the Hill of Setter.

David Purchase

The summit of the Hill of Setter, Bressay

With the remains of a World War II anti-aircraft battery.

David Purchase

View across Gunnista churchyard to Aith Voe

Gunnista is a little settlement at the north of the island of Bressay. There is a walled churchyard here for the long vanished St Ola's Church. The graveyard contains a notable mausoleum and gravestones many of them quite recent. Beyond the land can be seen the landward end of Aith Voe, an inlet that curls round southeastwards from the north, and beyond that the land is the southern end of Aith Ness. For photographs of the mausoleum and churchyard, see HU5043 : Churchyard and Mausoleum, Gunnista HU5043 : Gunnista Mausoleum

Rob Farrow

Gunnista Mausoleum

This small mausoleum in the churchyard of the now vanished St Ola's Church was built for the Hendersons of Gardie. St Ola's was the parish church for the island of Bressay until the 1720s when a new church was built at Mail on the west of the island. The old church fell into ruin and was demolished. The mausoleum dates from the C18th and may stand where the old church once stood.

Rob Farrow

Churchyard and Mausoleum, Gunnista

The churchyard of the vanished St Ola's church, once the parish church for the island of Bressay contains the Henderson Mausoleum and a number of more recent headstones. Information about the Hendersons of Gardie here Link

Rob Farrow

Inside the Henderson Mausoleum at Gunnista

The rectangular mausoleum in the churchyard of the former St Ola's church at Gunnista was built for the Hendersons of Gardie. see Link

Rob Farrow

A tomb with a view

A view through the eastern window of the Henderson Mausoleum in the churchyard of the long-demolished church of St Ola at Gunnista on Bressay. Through the window can be seen the landward end of Aith Voe. Information on the Henderson family of Gardie here Link

Rob Farrow

Ruin across Aith Voe from Gunnista

Looking across Aith Voe from the churchyard at Gunnista, the ruins of a building which I believe was a factory involved in the herring industry. It has a large concrete "courtyard" in front of it, presumably for dealing with the landed catch. Beyond the ruined building can be glimpsed a little of the small Loch of Aithness. It seems there were several quarries on Aith Ness which I think produced slate.

Rob Farrow

Hill of Setter

Bagged on the way back from Score Hill with Tricky Speirs. Heavily modified with wartime buildings but chambered cairn at natural highpoint has escaped. Name: Hill of Setter Hill number: 103941 Height: 90m / 295ft Area: 22: Shetland Islands Class: 0 Grid ref: HU504421 (est) Drop: 39m Col: 51m HU504409

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