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Billia Skerry

Island in Shetland

Scotland

Billia Skerry

Gunnister Voe
Gunnister Voe Credit: David Purchase

Billia Skerry is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Shetland, an archipelago in Scotland. It is situated approximately 1.5 miles northeast of the mainland, near the village of Toft. With an area of around 25 acres, the island is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain, typical of the Shetland Islands.

The island is known for its diverse birdlife, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Various seabird species can be spotted nesting on the cliffs, including guillemots, razorbills, puffins, and kittiwakes. The surrounding waters are also home to seals, dolphins, and occasionally even whales.

Access to Billia Skerry is mainly by boat, and visitors are advised to take caution as the island’s coastline is exposed and can be treacherous. There are no facilities or amenities on the island, so visitors are encouraged to bring their own supplies and take any waste away with them to preserve the natural environment.

The island's name, Billia Skerry, is derived from the Old Norse language, which was spoken by the Norse settlers who once inhabited the Shetland Islands. The name "Billia" possibly refers to a specific type of seabird, indicating the significance of the island as a nesting site for such avian species.

Billia Skerry offers a peaceful and unspoiled environment for those seeking a remote and natural setting, attracting wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike. Its picturesque cliffs, abundance of birdlife, and tranquil surroundings make it a hidden gem within the Shetland archipelago.

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Billia Skerry Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.446654/-1.4502597 or Grid Reference HU3073. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Gunnister Voe
Gunnister Voe
North Sound, Nibon The northern end of the Isle of Nibon is on the left, with the Ness of Hillswick in the distance.
North Sound, Nibon
The northern end of the Isle of Nibon is on the left, with the Ness of Hillswick in the distance.
The Isle of Nibon With South Sound to the left of the photo.
The Isle of Nibon
With South Sound to the left of the photo.
The lane from Nibon One of many minor cul-de-sacs branching off from the A970, the main road running north/south along the spine of Shetland Mainland.
The lane from Nibon
One of many minor cul-de-sacs branching off from the A970, the main road running north/south along the spine of Shetland Mainland.
Fish farm boat, Gunnista Voe A rather steep and rough track (I'd have attempted it in a Mini in my youth, but rather more circumspect in middle age, high clearance 4-wheel drive seemed a better idea) reaches this small quay on Gunnista Voe, which is occupied by fish farming installations. We were prospecting for a place to put on with sea kayaks, and this seemed a little too awkward, though it was the only place near the water with adequate parking in the vicinity.
Fish farm boat, Gunnista Voe
A rather steep and rough track (I'd have attempted it in a Mini in my youth, but rather more circumspect in middle age, high clearance 4-wheel drive seemed a better idea) reaches this small quay on Gunnista Voe, which is occupied by fish farming installations. We were prospecting for a place to put on with sea kayaks, and this seemed a little too awkward, though it was the only place near the water with adequate parking in the vicinity.
Valliers Ness In Gunnister Voe.
Valliers Ness
In Gunnister Voe.
Holm of Nibon At low tide, with the Isle of Nibon beyond the South Sound.
Holm of Nibon
At low tide, with the Isle of Nibon beyond the South Sound.
Field at Snowbuil On Gunnister Voe.
Field at Snowbuil
On Gunnister Voe.
Looking down Gunnister Voe Holm of Gunnister in the centre.
Looking down Gunnister Voe
Holm of Gunnister in the centre.
Gruna A deserted croft at the head of Gunnister Voe.
Gruna
A deserted croft at the head of Gunnister Voe.
Gunnister At the head of Gunnister Voe. In a green and sheltered valley.
Gunnister
At the head of Gunnister Voe. In a green and sheltered valley.
Snapa Water Shallow weedy lochan.
Snapa Water
Shallow weedy lochan.
Weathered Peat West Mill loch of Hamar, peculiar weathered peat formation.
Weathered Peat
West Mill loch of Hamar, peculiar weathered peat formation.
West Mill loch of Hamar View from west bay with reeds and weed beds
West Mill loch of Hamar
View from west bay with reeds and weed beds
Moo Stack, Nibon There's some great climbing on the crags where the photographer is climbing.
Moo Stack, Nibon
There's some great climbing on the crags where the photographer is climbing.
Medusa Walls, Hamar Medusa isn't the local name for the geo, it doesn't appear to have one. The wall was named Medusa from the name of a climb that takes the wall just above the start of the beach at the sea line. It was first climbed in 2005 on the day this photo was taken.
Medusa Walls, Hamar
Medusa isn't the local name for the geo, it doesn't appear to have one. The wall was named Medusa from the name of a climb that takes the wall just above the start of the beach at the sea line. It was first climbed in 2005 on the day this photo was taken.
Oe Stack from the south If you go to the edge of the cliff and sit with your legs dangling over the edge, it is possible to get the geograph!
Oe Stack from the south
If you go to the edge of the cliff and sit with your legs dangling over the edge, it is possible to get the geograph!
Salmon Farms at Gunnister Voe Sea farming at Gunnister voe, Northmavine, viewed from the South across to the hill of birkavid
Salmon Farms at Gunnister Voe
Sea farming at Gunnister voe, Northmavine, viewed from the South across to the hill of birkavid
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Billia Skerry is located at Grid Ref: HU3073 (Lat: 60.446654, Lng: -1.4502597)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///bleaching.poem.share. Near Brae, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

North Whilk North Sound Billia Skerry Valliers Ness Isle of Nibon Holm of Nibon

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.446654,-1.4502597
Barrier: cattle_grid
Lat/Long: 60.4437353/-1.4436344
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4443902/-1.4427142
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4442034/-1.4435003
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4439587/-1.4445237
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4436123/-1.4453984
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.4430661/-1.4457627
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Brig Head Northumberland
Holm of Nibon Shetland

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