The Keels

Island in Shetland

Scotland

The Keels

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

The Keels is a small village located on the Shetland Islands, situated off the north coast of Scotland. It is nestled in a scenic coastal area, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and stunning views of the North Sea. With a population of around 150 residents, The Keels offers a tranquil and close-knit community atmosphere.

The village is known for its picturesque harbor, which provides a sheltered anchorage for small fishing boats and leisure craft. The Keels has a rich maritime heritage, with fishing being a prominent industry in the area for centuries. Visitors can witness the traditional way of life by observing local fishermen at work or exploring the village's small museum dedicated to the fishing industry.

Nature enthusiasts are drawn to The Keels for its abundance of wildlife and natural beauty. Seals can often be spotted basking on nearby rocks, while seabirds soar overhead. The surrounding area offers several walking trails, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rugged Shetland countryside.

Despite its small size, The Keels has a strong sense of community spirit. The village hosts various events throughout the year, including traditional music festivals and ceilidhs, which showcase local talents and traditions.

Accommodation options in The Keels are limited, with a few small guesthouses and self-catering cottages available for visitors. However, its peaceful and idyllic setting makes it an ideal destination for those seeking a serene getaway or a base to explore the wider Shetland Islands.

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The Keels Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.509382/-1.6476682 or Grid Reference HZ2069. 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
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.
Fair Isle South Light Taken from Malcolm's Head in the late 1950s
Fair Isle South Light
Taken from Malcolm's Head in the late 1950s
Show me another place!

The Keels is located at Grid Ref: HZ2069 (Lat: 59.509382, Lng: -1.6476682)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///clipboard.burns.gateway. Near Sumburgh, Shetland Islands

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