Green Holm

Island in Shetland

Scotland

Green Holm

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

Green Holm is a small uninhabited island located in the Shetland archipelago, off the coast of Scotland. With an area of just 20 hectares, it forms part of the Out Skerries group of islands.

The island is characterized by its rugged and rocky coastline, with steep cliffs rising up to 50 meters in height. The terrain is mainly covered in grasses and low-lying plants, which provide nesting grounds for a variety of seabirds such as puffins, fulmars, and kittiwakes. The surrounding waters are rich in marine life, attracting seals and otters.

Green Holm has a long and fascinating history. It was once used as a burial ground during the Iron Age, with several ancient graves and cairns still visible today. In the 19th century, a small settlement was established on the island, which served as a fishing and farming community. However, by the early 20th century, the island was completely abandoned.

Today, Green Holm is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. It can be accessed by boat from the nearby islands, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore its unique ecosystem and observe its diverse birdlife. The island also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding sea and neighboring islands.

Due to its remote and untouched nature, Green Holm provides a tranquil and serene environment, offering visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and connect with nature in its purest form.

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Green Holm Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.517091/-1.656388 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.
Show me another place!

Green Holm is located at Grid Ref: HZ1970 (Lat: 59.517091, Lng: -1.656388)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///storms.cornfield.ideals. Near Sumburgh, Shetland Islands

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.517091,-1.656388
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
Malcolms Head
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 59.5203084/-1.6545205
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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