Holey Stack

Island in Shetland

Scotland

Holey Stack

Papa Stour and Foula Taken on the B9078 between Burnside and Eshaness, Shetland, I am looking out towards the islands of Papa Stour (left of shot) and Foula beyond.
Papa Stour and Foula Credit: Carroll Pierce

Holey Stack is a small island located off the coast of Shetland, an archipelago in Scotland. It is situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 300 miles north of mainland Scotland. The island is part of the wider Shetland Islands group, which consists of more than 100 islands, many of them uninhabited.

Holey Stack is a distinctive island due to its unique geological formation. It is characterized by its towering sea stacks, which are vertical rock columns that rise dramatically from the surrounding water. These stacks were formed over millions of years through the process of erosion, as powerful ocean currents and waves gradually eroded the softer rock layers, leaving behind the harder, more resistant columns.

The island is uninhabited and devoid of any vegetation, making it an ideal habitat for various seabirds. It serves as an important nesting site for species such as puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes. The surrounding waters are also home to a diverse marine ecosystem, including seals, dolphins, and various fish species.

Holey Stack is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and photographers, who are drawn to its rugged beauty and abundant wildlife. However, due to its remote location and lack of infrastructure, access to the island can be challenging, and visitors are advised to take caution while exploring the area.

Overall, Holey Stack is a remarkable natural feature within the Shetland Islands, offering a glimpse into the raw and untouched beauty of Scotland's coastal landscape.

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Holey Stack Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.483461/-1.5038745 or Grid Reference HU2777. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Papa Stour and Foula Taken on the B9078 between Burnside and Eshaness, Shetland, I am looking out towards the islands of Papa Stour (left of shot) and Foula beyond.
Papa Stour and Foula
Taken on the B9078 between Burnside and Eshaness, Shetland, I am looking out towards the islands of Papa Stour (left of shot) and Foula beyond.
The Drongs Taken from the B9078 between Burnside and Eshaness, Shetland, I am looking across Sand Wick to the sea stacks known at The Drongs. Papa Stour can be seen in the distance.
The Drongs
Taken from the B9078 between Burnside and Eshaness, Shetland, I am looking across Sand Wick to the sea stacks known at The Drongs. Papa Stour can be seen in the distance.
Hillswick Hall
Hillswick Hall
Stacks at Sand Wick, Hillswick, and the Drongs
Stacks at Sand Wick, Hillswick, and the Drongs
West side of Sand Wick, Hillswick
West side of Sand Wick, Hillswick
Nista Skerries, Sand Wick, Hillswick
Nista Skerries, Sand Wick, Hillswick
Clave and the Drongs from Hillswick
Clave and the Drongs from Hillswick
Grey Face and Heads of Grocken from Hillswick
Grey Face and Heads of Grocken from Hillswick
St Magnus Bay Hotel, Hillswick, Shetland Built in 1900 by the North of Scotland Ferry company. Still functioning, just [in 2004], but the absentee landlord is clearly not interested in maintaining it as a hotel, which is sad.
St Magnus Bay Hotel, Hillswick, Shetland
Built in 1900 by the North of Scotland Ferry company. Still functioning, just [in 2004], but the absentee landlord is clearly not interested in maintaining it as a hotel, which is sad.
Hillswick Fire Station, Shetland With local retained firefighters the Hillswick Fire Station is little more than a large garage, just big enough to house the small appliance based on a large van.
Hillswick Fire Station, Shetland
With local retained firefighters the Hillswick Fire Station is little more than a large garage, just big enough to house the small appliance based on a large van.
Hillswick, Shetland Large traditionally built houses at Hillswick. In the background is Findlins House and Findlins Farm.
Hillswick, Shetland
Large traditionally built houses at Hillswick. In the background is Findlins House and Findlins Farm.
Hillswick, Shetland Houses at Hillswick, the large two storey house with mansard roof is called Laarsund.
Hillswick, Shetland
Houses at Hillswick, the large two storey house with mansard roof is called Laarsund.
St Magnus Bay Hotel, Hillswick, Shetland This hotel was built as a kit in Norway, dis-assembled and transported to Hillswick where it was constructed on its present site in 1900 by the North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Co.. Sadly it is currently closed (April 2006) although the local community wish to see it opened again. For more information on Hillswick and surrounding area visit <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/shetland/hillswick/index.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/shetland/hillswick/index.html">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>

UPDATE Oct 07: this hotel is now owned by a local couple and open every day - More information can be found at the official website <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.stmagnusbayhotel.co.uk" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.stmagnusbayhotel.co.uk">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>
St Magnus Bay Hotel, Hillswick, Shetland
This hotel was built as a kit in Norway, dis-assembled and transported to Hillswick where it was constructed on its present site in 1900 by the North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Co.. Sadly it is currently closed (April 2006) although the local community wish to see it opened again. For more information on Hillswick and surrounding area visit LinkExternal link UPDATE Oct 07: this hotel is now owned by a local couple and open every day - More information can be found at the official website LinkExternal link
View over Heads of Grocken, Eshaness, Shetland Looking out over the Heads of Grocken with 'The Drongs' the sea stacks in the distance.
View over Heads of Grocken, Eshaness, Shetland
Looking out over the Heads of Grocken with 'The Drongs' the sea stacks in the distance.
Helga water, near Hillswick, Shetland Shetland is unlikely ever to have a hosepipe ban, there are many many lochs and plentiful rainfall. This is Helga Water near the road to Eshaness.
Helga water, near Hillswick, Shetland
Shetland is unlikely ever to have a hosepipe ban, there are many many lochs and plentiful rainfall. This is Helga Water near the road to Eshaness.
Heads of Grocken Looking across the square from above Hillswick on a stormy winter's day. The pony was very inquisitive, and didn't want to be photographed in profile!
Heads of Grocken
Looking across the square from above Hillswick on a stormy winter's day. The pony was very inquisitive, and didn't want to be photographed in profile!
Heads of Grocken Small sea-stacks off the Heads of Grocken, with the Drongs in the distance.
Heads of Grocken
Small sea-stacks off the Heads of Grocken, with the Drongs in the distance.
Beach between Heads of Grocken and the Neap
Beach between Heads of Grocken and the Neap
Show me another place!

Holey Stack is located at Grid Ref: HU2777 (Lat: 60.483461, Lng: -1.5038745)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///obscuring.brightly.confirms. Near Brae, Shetland Islands

Related Wikis

Hillswick

Hillswick is a small village in Northmavine, on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean and lies to the north-north west of Mainland, Shetland, the most northerly...

The Drongs

The Drongs are a group of sea stacks off the coast of Hillswick Ness, Northmavine, Shetland, Scotland. They lie to the west of the Isle of Westerhouse...

Assater

Assater (also spelled Assetter) is a hamlet on Mainland, in Shetland, Scotland. Assater is situated in the parish of Northmaven. It is about 1.3 miles...

Heylor

Heylor is a settlement situated on the south side of Ronas Voe in Northmavine, Shetland, Scotland. It lies directly opposite Ronas Hill, Shetland's tallest...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.483461,-1.5038745
Barrier: cattle_grid
Lat/Long: 60.4866373/-1.510334
Sand Wick
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 60.4797458/-1.5033246
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4844523/-1.5121749
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4845054/-1.5103894
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4838761/-1.5099269
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4833235/-1.5095458
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.482752/-1.5102672
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4830354/-1.5099125
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4837214/-1.5090329
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4840957/-1.5085608
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4844995/-1.5080671
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4848632/-1.5075901
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4848974/-1.5095841
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.485293/-1.5088124
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4856708/-1.5080647
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4860214/-1.5073816
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.486463/-1.5064997
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4869412/-1.5055386
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4871383/-1.5042828
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4873697/-1.502701
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4875693/-1.50139
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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