Black Stacks

Island in Shetland

Scotland

Black Stacks

Fugla Stack, Burra, from the air
Fugla Stack, Burra, from the air Credit: Mike Pennington

Black Stacks is a notable landmark located on the remote island of Shetland, which is part of the Shetland Islands archipelago in Scotland. Situated on the west coast of the main island, known as Mainland, Black Stacks is a series of dramatic sea stacks that capture the attention of visitors and locals alike.

The stacks, also referred to as the "Black Geos," are towering rock formations that jut out from the rugged coastline, standing as a testament to the erosive power of the North Atlantic Ocean. These geological formations were shaped over thousands of years through the relentless pounding of waves against the coastal cliffs.

Black Stacks is characterized by its dark, jagged rocks that contrast starkly against the surrounding green and blue hues of the landscape. The tallest stack reaches an impressive height of approximately 100 feet, while several smaller stacks add to the overall allure of the site.

The location offers breathtaking views of the open sea and the neighboring uninhabited island of Vaila. Visitors can access Black Stacks via a coastal footpath that winds along the cliffs, providing ample opportunities for hikers and nature enthusiasts to appreciate the rugged beauty of the area.

In addition to its natural splendor, Black Stacks also holds historical significance. It is believed that the stacks were used as a navigation landmark for early seafarers, guiding them safely along the treacherous coastline.

Overall, Black Stacks is a captivating destination that showcases the raw power of nature and offers a glimpse into the rich history of the Shetland Islands.

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Black Stacks Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.061898/-1.3522566 or Grid Reference HU3630. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fugla Stack, Burra, from the air
Fugla Stack, Burra, from the air
Sound of Fuglastack, Burra, from the air
Sound of Fuglastack, Burra, from the air
Fugla Stack, Kettla Ness, West Burra, from the air Virda Vatn in the background.
Fugla Stack, Kettla Ness, West Burra, from the air
Virda Vatn in the background.
The southern part of Houss Ness Seen from just south of the summit of Ward of Symbister.
The southern part of Houss Ness
Seen from just south of the summit of Ward of Symbister.
Cliffs on the west side of Kettla Ness It looks as though there will soon be another landslide on this dramatic coast.
Cliffs on the west side of Kettla Ness
It looks as though there will soon be another landslide on this dramatic coast.
Kettla Ness The southern half of the island is unspoilt and very beautiful.
Kettla Ness
The southern half of the island is unspoilt and very beautiful.
At Gossigarth on Kettla Ness Looking towards Banna Minn and Duncansclett.
At Gossigarth on Kettla Ness
Looking towards Banna Minn and Duncansclett.
Approaching Clivland Bay, Houss Ness A small bay backed by numerous ruined buildings.
Approaching Clivland Bay, Houss Ness
A small bay backed by numerous ruined buildings.
Stream emerging at Clivland Bay Plenty of bubbles in peaty brown water.
Stream emerging at Clivland Bay
Plenty of bubbles in peaty brown water.
Symbister, East Burra An extensive set of ruined buildings.
Symbister, East Burra
An extensive set of ruined buildings.
Burnt Mound at Symbister One of three burnt mounds indicated on the 1:25,000 OS mapping.  This was a smaller mound.  Often features like this are marked on maps yet are hard to find. A Eureka moment followed after the  GPS location was checked. I understand the purpose of burnt mounds is a contentious issue.
Burnt Mound at Symbister
One of three burnt mounds indicated on the 1:25,000 OS mapping. This was a smaller mound. Often features like this are marked on maps yet are hard to find. A Eureka moment followed after the GPS location was checked. I understand the purpose of burnt mounds is a contentious issue.
West coast of Kettla Ness from The Heugg The aftermath of a Shetland gale.  The grass covered The Ward is the highest point on Kettla Ness. Beyond are the hills that make up the spine of Mainland Shetland.
West coast of Kettla Ness from The Heugg
The aftermath of a Shetland gale. The grass covered The Ward is the highest point on Kettla Ness. Beyond are the hills that make up the spine of Mainland Shetland.
Looking NW from hilltop near Kettla Ness
Looking NW from hilltop near Kettla Ness
Symbister This croft site was abandoned in the early 1950s largely because there was no road to it. [P. Guy, Walking the Coastline of Shetland, South Mainland, Shetland Times, Lerwick, 2000.]
Symbister
This croft site was abandoned in the early 1950s largely because there was no road to it. [P. Guy, Walking the Coastline of Shetland, South Mainland, Shetland Times, Lerwick, 2000.]
Derelict Croft The ruins of the croft at Gossigarth with Banna Minn showing behind
Derelict Croft
The ruins of the croft at Gossigarth with Banna Minn showing behind
The Heugg The cliffs at the Heugg
The Heugg
The cliffs at the Heugg
East Burra: Houss from West Burra Looking across South Voe towards the scattered dwellings of Houss with the mighty slopes of Shetland's south mainland on the far side of Clift Sound beyond.
East Burra: Houss from West Burra
Looking across South Voe towards the scattered dwellings of Houss with the mighty slopes of Shetland's south mainland on the far side of Clift Sound beyond.
Houss: view from Papil Looking across the water separating West Burra (our side) from East Burra, on which we see a few of the buildings, one of them ruined, in the hamlet of Houss. Immediately to the south (right) of these is the narrow strip of land connecting Houss Ness to the 'main' part of East Burra. The Clift Hills, on the mainland, are the backdrop, shrouded in cloud.
Houss: view from Papil
Looking across the water separating West Burra (our side) from East Burra, on which we see a few of the buildings, one of them ruined, in the hamlet of Houss. Immediately to the south (right) of these is the narrow strip of land connecting Houss Ness to the 'main' part of East Burra. The Clift Hills, on the mainland, are the backdrop, shrouded in cloud.
Show me another place!

Black Stacks is located at Grid Ref: HU3630 (Lat: 60.061898, Lng: -1.3522566)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///taskbar.hotel.reply. Near Sandwick, Shetland Islands

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