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Black Holm

Island in Shetland

Scotland

Black Holm

South Harbour, Fair Isle
South Harbour, Fair Isle Credit: David Purchase

Black Holm is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Shetland, an archipelago in Scotland. Situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, it lies approximately 4 miles northeast of the mainland. The island covers an area of about 5 hectares and is mostly composed of rugged rock formations and low-lying grassland.

Black Holm is known for its diverse bird population, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The island serves as an important breeding ground for several species, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars. Seals can also be spotted lounging on the rocky shores surrounding the island, adding to its wildlife appeal.

Access to Black Holm is limited due to its remote location and lack of infrastructure. However, boat trips and guided tours are available during certain times of the year, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the island's natural beauty and observe its inhabitants up close. The surrounding waters are also ideal for kayaking and other water-based activities.

Black Holm's isolation and untouched landscapes make it a peaceful retreat for those seeking tranquility and a connection with nature. It is a place where visitors can experience the raw beauty of the Shetland Islands and encounter the wildlife that calls this remote corner of Scotland home.

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Black Holm Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.517214/-1.6584896 or Grid Reference HZ1970. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

South Harbour, Fair Isle
South Harbour, Fair Isle
The Wick (Bay) of Hestigeo At the far south of Fair Isle, near the South Light.
The Wick (Bay) of Hestigeo
At the far south of Fair Isle, near the South Light.
Malcolm's Head At 107m, Malcolm's Head is the fifth highest hill on Fair Isle, after Ward Hill (217m), Burrashield Hill (150m), Sheep Rock (132m) and Vaasetter Hill (110m). Although one can argue about "What is a hill?", I do not think any other spot would really qualify, although there are many sea stacks.
Malcolm's Head
At 107m, Malcolm's Head is the fifth highest hill on Fair Isle, after Ward Hill (217m), Burrashield Hill (150m), Sheep Rock (132m) and Vaasetter Hill (110m). Although one can argue about "What is a hill?", I do not think any other spot would really qualify, although there are many sea stacks.
Winter Sea, Fair Isle
Winter Sea, Fair Isle
South Harbour Cro Stack in South Harbour; almost inevitably, Sheep Rock can be seen in the background.
South Harbour
Cro Stack in South Harbour; almost inevitably, Sheep Rock can be seen in the background.
Buildings at the end of the road, near the South Light You can also see the cemetery in the middle distance, centre of photo, which is also in this square.
Buildings at the end of the road, near the South Light
You can also see the cemetery in the middle distance, centre of photo, which is also in this square.
View across South Harbour, with Tirricks Fair Isle's Tirricks (Arctic Terns) had a disastrous breeding season in 2008 - food to rear chicks was so scarce they didn't even try, we were told by an RSPB officer.
View across South Harbour, with Tirricks
Fair Isle's Tirricks (Arctic Terns) had a disastrous breeding season in 2008 - food to rear chicks was so scarce they didn't even try, we were told by an RSPB officer.
Fair Isle coastline at Port Saider A very detailed map of Fair Isle on view at the Fair Isle Bird Observatory marks Port Saider slightly to the north of the position on the 1:25,000 OS Map. This view south-west towards the Burrian is from the cliff edge at the OS location.
Fair Isle coastline at Port Saider
A very detailed map of Fair Isle on view at the Fair Isle Bird Observatory marks Port Saider slightly to the north of the position on the 1:25,000 OS Map. This view south-west towards the Burrian is from the cliff edge at the OS location.
Cliff edge of Meo Ness The lichens on the rocks at the cliff edge provide a great contrast to the green of Meo Ness. The South Light is visible beyond South Harbour.
Cliff edge of Meo Ness
The lichens on the rocks at the cliff edge provide a great contrast to the green of Meo Ness. The South Light is visible beyond South Harbour.
The Burrian The Burrian is the offshore skerry viewed across one of the many geos on Fair Isle.
The Burrian
The Burrian is the offshore skerry viewed across one of the many geos on Fair Isle.
Heili Stack, Fair Isle One of several stacks and holms off the west coast of Malcolm's Head.
Heili Stack, Fair Isle
One of several stacks and holms off the west coast of Malcolm's Head.
Malcolm's Head Malcolm's Head summit with distant view towards Fair Isle Lighthouse. Sheep graze the slopes of this TuMP keeping the grass short. Ruined war buildings near summit. Name: Malcolm's Head Hill number: 103899 Height: 107m / 351ft Area: 22: Shetland Islands Class: 1 Grid ref: HZ195707 (est) Drop: 82m Col: 25m
Malcolm's Head
Malcolm's Head summit with distant view towards Fair Isle Lighthouse. Sheep graze the slopes of this TuMP keeping the grass short. Ruined war buildings near summit. Name: Malcolm's Head Hill number: 103899 Height: 107m / 351ft Area: 22: Shetland Islands Class: 1 Grid ref: HZ195707 (est) Drop: 82m Col: 25m
Looking Over The Edge At Kista Fair Isle has a rugged coastline with numerous sea stacks which make for many a dramatic view.
Looking Over The Edge At Kista
Fair Isle has a rugged coastline with numerous sea stacks which make for many a dramatic view.
Malcolm's Head, Fair Isle, from the sea Taken from the ferry en route from Lerwick to Kirkwall, several km to the NW.
Malcolm's Head, Fair Isle, from the sea
Taken from the ferry en route from Lerwick to Kirkwall, several km to the NW.
The low pastures at Malcolm's Head Beside the fresh painted South Light.
The low pastures at Malcolm's Head
Beside the fresh painted South Light.
The village and Sheep Rock from Malcolm's Head Tidy, well kept fields in the 'sheltered' centre of Fair Isle.
The village and Sheep Rock from Malcolm's Head
Tidy, well kept fields in the 'sheltered' centre of Fair Isle.
South Lighthouse, Fair Isle The last Scottish lighthouse to be automated in March 1998 see <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.nlb.org.uk/ourlights/history/fairislesouth.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.nlb.org.uk/ourlights/history/fairislesouth.htm">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>
South Lighthouse, Fair Isle
The last Scottish lighthouse to be automated in March 1998 see LinkExternal link
South Lighthouse, Fair Isle The Tower, courtyard and one-time accommodation block. The lighthouse is now automatic and the accommodation block converted into flats and business premises.
South Lighthouse, Fair Isle
The Tower, courtyard and one-time accommodation block. The lighthouse is now automatic and the accommodation block converted into flats and business premises.
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Black Holm is located at Grid Ref: HZ1970 (Lat: 59.517214, Lng: -1.6584896)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///having.recital.opts. Near Sumburgh, Shetland Islands

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Cat Lie Horse Lie Gumpun Steinistap High Holm Shaltstane

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.517214,-1.6584896
Skaddan South Lighthouse
Man Made: lighthouse
Seamark Landmark Category: tower
Seamark Landmark Colour: white
Seamark Light 1 Character: Fl
Seamark Light 1 Colour: white
Seamark Light 1 Group: 4
Seamark Light 1 Height: 32
Seamark Light 1 Period: 30
Seamark Light 1 Range: 22
Seamark Light 1 Sector End: 146
Seamark Light 1 Sector Start: 260
Seamark Light 1 Sequence: 0.2+(3.6),0.2+(3.6),0.2+(3.6),0.2+(18.4)
Seamark Light Reference: A 3750
Seamark Name: Skadan South
Seamark Type: landmark
Wikidata: Q17851293
Lat/Long: 59.5138965/-1.6526862
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Malcolms Head
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 59.5203084/-1.6545205
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Da Wheitha Shetland
Crescent Wood Island Warwickshire

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