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Ord Skerries

Island in Shetland

Scotland

Ord Skerries

The Nev, Fitful Head, from the air With a view to Ward of Scousburgh
The Nev, Fitful Head, from the air Credit: Mike Pennington

Ord Skerries is a small group of islands located off the east coast of the Shetland mainland in Scotland. It is part of the Shetland Islands and is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich wildlife.

The islands of Ord Skerries are made up of rugged cliffs, sea stacks, and picturesque beaches. The landscape is characterized by rocky outcrops and grassy slopes, providing a diverse habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. The area is particularly renowned for its birdlife, with thousands of seabirds making their nests on the cliffs, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Additionally, seals can often be spotted basking on the rocks or swimming in the surrounding waters.

Access to Ord Skerries is limited due to its remote location, with boat trips being the most common way to visit. The islands are a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, who are drawn to the unique and untouched environment. Visitors can enjoy walks along the cliffs, observing the abundant birdlife, or simply take in the breathtaking views of the North Sea.

In addition to its natural beauty, Ord Skerries also has a rich history. The islands were once home to a thriving fishing community, and remnants of old settlements and fishing huts can still be seen. These relics provide a glimpse into the past and offer visitors a chance to learn about the traditional way of life in the Shetland Islands.

Overall, Ord Skerries is a hidden gem in the Shetland Islands, offering a peaceful and untouched landscape, abundant wildlife, and a glimpse into the region's history.

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Ord Skerries Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.907873/-1.391301 or Grid Reference HU3413. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Nev, Fitful Head, from the air With a view to Ward of Scousburgh
The Nev, Fitful Head, from the air
With a view to Ward of Scousburgh
Fitful Head from the air
Fitful Head from the air
Whales Wick, Fitful Head, from the air
Whales Wick, Fitful Head, from the air
The Ords, Fitful Head
The Ords, Fitful Head
Cliffs at The Nev, north of Fitful Head
Cliffs at The Nev, north of Fitful Head
The bend in the track There is a well-graded track up to the communications masts on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive up, but it is an easy walk from Quendale. At this point, there is a sharp bend. Coming down, I certainly would not want to lose control here, or miss the turn in mist. The consequences are pretty clear! I think that the rocks just left of centre must be Swarta Skerry, in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU3415">HU3415</a>.
The bend in the track
There is a well-graded track up to the communications masts on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive up, but it is an easy walk from Quendale. At this point, there is a sharp bend. Coming down, I certainly would not want to lose control here, or miss the turn in mist. The consequences are pretty clear! I think that the rocks just left of centre must be Swarta Skerry, in HU3415.
The track from Fitful Head A well-graded track serves the communications station on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive, but it gives an easy walk. This is looking back downhill towards Quendale.
The track from Fitful Head
A well-graded track serves the communications station on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive, but it gives an easy walk. This is looking back downhill towards Quendale.
Siggar Ness and Fitful Head from the air Taken from a plane just after take-off from Sumburgh Airport. There is snow on the west Mainland of Shetland in the distance.
Siggar Ness and Fitful Head from the air
Taken from a plane just after take-off from Sumburgh Airport. There is snow on the west Mainland of Shetland in the distance.
Fitful Head: view from a few miles east Looking out from the Northlink ferry to Aberdeen as cloud covers Fitful Head on a beautiful sunny evening.
Fitful Head: view from a few miles east
Looking out from the Northlink ferry to Aberdeen as cloud covers Fitful Head on a beautiful sunny evening.
Mystery Feature An absolute mystery when first located, but close investigation revealed its identity. It turns out to be a Protective Wall for a Target Zone on an old disused firing range (some evidence here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622204">HU3513 : Blitzed Target Zone</a>. It faces another Target Zone (down-range) about 450 metres away; see - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622226">HU3613 : Unmarked Feature</a>. The platform (maybe planks) on which the targets stood, is missing.
Mystery Feature
An absolute mystery when first located, but close investigation revealed its identity. It turns out to be a Protective Wall for a Target Zone on an old disused firing range (some evidence here HU3513 : Blitzed Target Zone. It faces another Target Zone (down-range) about 450 metres away; see - HU3613 : Unmarked Feature. The platform (maybe planks) on which the targets stood, is missing.
Fire Wall This is the protective wall at a Target Zone on an old disused firing range. There are no names, nor designations, on the map, nor references (that I could find) on the Internet. Looking from this protective wall, across the valley, one can see another obvious Target Zone <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622226">HU3613 : Unmarked Feature</a> - centre and to the right of the quarry. This Fire Wall but not the Target Zone is shown on the OS map.
Fire Wall
This is the protective wall at a Target Zone on an old disused firing range. There are no names, nor designations, on the map, nor references (that I could find) on the Internet. Looking from this protective wall, across the valley, one can see another obvious Target Zone HU3613 : Unmarked Feature - centre and to the right of the quarry. This Fire Wall but not the Target Zone is shown on the OS map.
Blitzed Target Zone The front edge of the protective wall, behind which, on a raised platform I assume, targets stood. The 'blitzing' suggests that a lot of 'incoming fire' had raked the wall, as the rear edges and the protected front ones appear as sharp as new. The whole area must have been used for weapon training.
Blitzed Target Zone
The front edge of the protective wall, behind which, on a raised platform I assume, targets stood. The 'blitzing' suggests that a lot of 'incoming fire' had raked the wall, as the rear edges and the protected front ones appear as sharp as new. The whole area must have been used for weapon training.
Claypotts A row of tiny derelict 'cells'. Reminiscent of quarrymen's barracks I have seen elsewhere. Very neat layout about five rooms, all identical.
Claypotts
A row of tiny derelict 'cells'. Reminiscent of quarrymen's barracks I have seen elsewhere. Very neat layout about five rooms, all identical.
Crooellmires A small group of ruins at the head of The Burn of Garth
Crooellmires
A small group of ruins at the head of The Burn of Garth
West Nifland These ruins are easy to spot and attain. From afar, it seemed like an old dwelling but close inspection suggested not. In the backdrop on this picture, left upper quarter, is a firing range target zone - seen here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622169">HU3513 : Mystery Feature</a>
West Nifland
These ruins are easy to spot and attain. From afar, it seemed like an old dwelling but close inspection suggested not. In the backdrop on this picture, left upper quarter, is a firing range target zone - seen here HU3513 : Mystery Feature
Fitful Head View To Summit Drove up the road until we found Rick and Jenny parked before the road goes steeply uphill, then walked up the hill together to bump into Alison Fox and Jonathan Foote near the summit. Name: Fitful Head Hill number: 1531 Height: 283m / 928ft Area: 22: Shetland Islands Class: Ma Grid ref: HU 34625 13536 Summit feature: no feature: ground 5m W of trig point Drop: 270m Col: 13m HU375142
Fitful Head View To Summit
Drove up the road until we found Rick and Jenny parked before the road goes steeply uphill, then walked up the hill together to bump into Alison Fox and Jonathan Foote near the summit. Name: Fitful Head Hill number: 1531 Height: 283m / 928ft Area: 22: Shetland Islands Class: Ma Grid ref: HU 34625 13536 Summit feature: no feature: ground 5m W of trig point Drop: 270m Col: 13m HU375142
Coastal View Coastal view north where the road to Fitful Head turns at 90 degrees.
Coastal View
Coastal view north where the road to Fitful Head turns at 90 degrees.
Sheep Pens These sheep pens are close to the road up to Fitful Head.
Sheep Pens
These sheep pens are close to the road up to Fitful Head.
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Ord Skerries is located at Grid Ref: HU3413 (Lat: 59.907873, Lng: -1.391301)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///originals.replaying.continues. Near Sumburgh, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

The Ords Thief's House Black Hillock Brunt Head Ord Skerries Fitful Head

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