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The Foot

Island in Shetland

Scotland

The Foot

Fogla Skerry and Lyra Stack, Papa Stour, from Huxter, Sandness
Fogla Skerry and Lyra Stack, Papa Stour, from Huxter, Sandness Credit: Mike Pennington

The Foot is a small island located in the Shetland archipelago, situated off the northeast coast of Scotland. It is part of the Shetland Islands Council area and is known for its scenic beauty and rich wildlife. The island covers an area of approximately 2 square kilometers and has a coastline that stretches for around 5 kilometers.

The landscape of The Foot is characterized by rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and rolling hills. The island is predominantly covered in grass and heather, with scattered patches of shrubs and trees. Its remote and untouched environment offers a haven for various bird species, including puffins, guillemots, and fulmars. The surrounding waters are also home to seals, dolphins, and porpoises.

Access to The Foot is mainly by boat, with regular ferry services connecting it to the mainland and other nearby islands. The island does not have any permanent residents, but it attracts tourists and nature enthusiasts who come to explore its natural beauty and observe the diverse wildlife.

The Foot is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and fishing. Its breathtaking cliffs provide opportunities for rock climbing and offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding sea. Visitors can also enjoy leisurely walks along the sandy beaches, soaking in the tranquility and solitude of this remote island.

In conclusion, The Foot is a picturesque and secluded island in the Shetland archipelago, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and experience the rich wildlife that calls this island home.

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The Foot Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.334782/-1.7404736 or Grid Reference HU1461. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fogla Skerry and Lyra Stack, Papa Stour, from Huxter, Sandness
Fogla Skerry and Lyra Stack, Papa Stour, from Huxter, Sandness
Aesha Head One of the many fine stretches of coast on Papa Stours, Aesha Head is the furthest west point of the main island, though there are various smaller islands and skerries beyond.
Aesha Head
One of the many fine stretches of coast on Papa Stours, Aesha Head is the furthest west point of the main island, though there are various smaller islands and skerries beyond.
Natural Arch, Aesha Head This is a closer view of the fine arch in Aesha Head, with a glimpse of Lyra Skerry beyond.
Natural Arch, Aesha Head
This is a closer view of the fine arch in Aesha Head, with a glimpse of Lyra Skerry beyond.
Kirstan's Hole Actually, it isn't the Kirstan's Hole (or Christie's Hole) shown on the maps, but a second hole which opened suddenly a few years ago, where previously there had been a depression in the ground, into the same sea-cave system as the original Kirstan's Hole.
Kirstan's Hole
Actually, it isn't the Kirstan's Hole (or Christie's Hole) shown on the maps, but a second hole which opened suddenly a few years ago, where previously there had been a depression in the ground, into the same sea-cave system as the original Kirstan's Hole.
Storm Beach These boulders, thrown up by the waves to form a storm beach 30 metres above the sea, demonstrate the power of the seas which pound the exposed north side of Papa Stour
Storm Beach
These boulders, thrown up by the waves to form a storm beach 30 metres above the sea, demonstrate the power of the seas which pound the exposed north side of Papa Stour
Ruined Meal Mills Several traditional mills straddle this little burn. Inside the building was a fixed lower millstone, and a rotating upper millstone driven by the water falling on to the paddles below, which were mounted at 45º to the vertical drive shaft.
Ruined Meal Mills
Several traditional mills straddle this little burn. Inside the building was a fixed lower millstone, and a rotating upper millstone driven by the water falling on to the paddles below, which were mounted at 45º to the vertical drive shaft.
Lang Geo One of the many inlets typical of the north coast of Papa Stour.
Lang Geo
One of the many inlets typical of the north coast of Papa Stour.
Remains of Observation Post The concrete and iron are the only remains of a World War Two observation post that used to stand here. As can be seen from the image, in good visibility this location provides an excellent view of the surrounding area.
Remains of Observation Post
The concrete and iron are the only remains of a World War Two observation post that used to stand here. As can be seen from the image, in good visibility this location provides an excellent view of the surrounding area.
Unnamed Sea Stack Off Breigeo Head, Papa Stour (Big Isle of the Priests) At less than 20 metres high this little stack is not as impressive as it's compatriots such as a little down the coast <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU1461">HU1461</a>, but facing out onto the North Atlantic the situation is wild and imposing. As with most sea stacks, this has probably formed and survived through being constituted from rock that is more solid and stable than that washed out from around them. In many cases this results in providing ideal rock climbing routes in spectacular locations. In this case, the rock visible in this image is of a good solid nature but as can be seen more clearly in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/798611">HU1560 : The problem with sea stacks...</a> it is overhanging and in addition lacks much in the way of cracks in which to place rock climbing protection. Taken together these would make this an extremely difficult climb even if top roped. The side of the stack facing away to the right of the image is also overhanging, albeit to a lesser extent, but the rock is somewhat green and slimy making it an unattractive ascent route. Gaining access to the stack also presents some problems. The water foaming around the stack prevents easy access by boat and even on a comparatively calm day such as that pictured here would make swimming to the stack a highly dangerous exercise. The first visit to the top of the stack recorded by climbers is shown in the image <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/798611">HU1560 : The problem with sea stacks...</a>. For this, the only viable route to the stack was by Tyrolean traverse.
Unnamed Sea Stack Off Breigeo Head, Papa Stour (Big Isle of the Priests)
At less than 20 metres high this little stack is not as impressive as it's compatriots such as a little down the coast HU1461, but facing out onto the North Atlantic the situation is wild and imposing. As with most sea stacks, this has probably formed and survived through being constituted from rock that is more solid and stable than that washed out from around them. In many cases this results in providing ideal rock climbing routes in spectacular locations. In this case, the rock visible in this image is of a good solid nature but as can be seen more clearly in HU1560 : The problem with sea stacks... it is overhanging and in addition lacks much in the way of cracks in which to place rock climbing protection. Taken together these would make this an extremely difficult climb even if top roped. The side of the stack facing away to the right of the image is also overhanging, albeit to a lesser extent, but the rock is somewhat green and slimy making it an unattractive ascent route. Gaining access to the stack also presents some problems. The water foaming around the stack prevents easy access by boat and even on a comparatively calm day such as that pictured here would make swimming to the stack a highly dangerous exercise. The first visit to the top of the stack recorded by climbers is shown in the image HU1560 : The problem with sea stacks.... For this, the only viable route to the stack was by Tyrolean traverse.
The problem with sea stacks... The problem with sea stacks is how to get to them. The sea conditions at the base of this one pretty much eliminate the possibilities of swimming. One workable technique used here was to string a 100m abseil rope across the geo laying the rope on the top of the stack. The rope can then be used for a tyrolean traverse to get over to the stack and back from it.
The problem with sea stacks...
The problem with sea stacks is how to get to them. The sea conditions at the base of this one pretty much eliminate the possibilities of swimming. One workable technique used here was to string a 100m abseil rope across the geo laying the rope on the top of the stack. The rope can then be used for a tyrolean traverse to get over to the stack and back from it.
Natural Arch by Sholma Wick The map marks this as a Natural Arch - one of many arches, subterranean passages or caves to be found on the island.
Natural Arch by Sholma Wick
The map marks this as a Natural Arch - one of many arches, subterranean passages or caves to be found on the island.
Plastic beach The beach had a depressingly large amount of plastic waste which had been washed up onto it. This largely comprised plastic bottles , footwear, floats/buoys etc. Most identifyable items originated in the UK, but a large subset were from Spain, Norway and Iceland. This latter set probably represents the boats fishing in these waters and the manufacturers supplying those boats.
Plastic beach
The beach had a depressingly large amount of plastic waste which had been washed up onto it. This largely comprised plastic bottles , footwear, floats/buoys etc. Most identifyable items originated in the UK, but a large subset were from Spain, Norway and Iceland. This latter set probably represents the boats fishing in these waters and the manufacturers supplying those boats.
Plastic Beach A further selection of the plastic contamination in this area.
Plastic Beach
A further selection of the plastic contamination in this area.
Snolda Sea Stack
Snolda Sea Stack
Lyra Stack Lyra Stack lies just to the south of Lyra Skerry which is the land in the right half of this image.
Lyra Stack
Lyra Stack lies just to the south of Lyra Skerry which is the land in the right half of this image.
Summit shelter The well constructed circular stone wall surrounds the triangulation pillar at the highest point on Papa Stour. The wall provides excellent shelter from the inevitable Atlantic winds.
Summit shelter
The well constructed circular stone wall surrounds the triangulation pillar at the highest point on Papa Stour. The wall provides excellent shelter from the inevitable Atlantic winds.
Clifftop at Akers Geo The image shows typical clifftops in the area: gradual erosion of edge and very shortly cropped grass indicative of overgrazing by sheep.
Clifftop at Akers Geo
The image shows typical clifftops in the area: gradual erosion of edge and very shortly cropped grass indicative of overgrazing by sheep.
Cliffs on the northeastern side of Akers Geo
Cliffs on the northeastern side of Akers Geo
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The Foot is located at Grid Ref: HU1461 (Lat: 60.334782, Lng: -1.7404736)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///blurs.yachting.cascade. Near Walls, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Burri Geo Stourhund Aesha Head The Foot Hund Geo Lyra Skerry

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