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Twalve-pund Stack

Island in Shetland

Scotland

Twalve-pund Stack

Spiggie and Loch of Spiggie
Spiggie and Loch of Spiggie Credit: Mike Pennington

Twalve-pund Stack is a prominent geological formation located off the coast of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. It is a towering sea stack rising approximately 46 meters (150 feet) from the turbulent North Atlantic Ocean.

Situated in the northwestern part of Mainland Shetland, Twalve-pund Stack is composed of layers of sandstone and shale, formed over millions of years through the natural processes of erosion and sedimentation. The stack derives its name from the Old Norse word "pund," meaning a "pound" or "prominent hill," and "twalve," which refers to its height in fathoms.

The majestic Twalve-pund Stack has become an iconic landmark in the region, attracting visitors from far and wide who are captivated by its sheer magnitude and breathtaking beauty. Birdwatchers especially flock to this location, as it serves as a sanctuary for a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, which nest on the cliffs surrounding the stack.

Access to Twalve-pund Stack can be challenging due to its remote location and rugged terrain. Visitors can reach the site by following a designated coastal trail, which offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and the neighboring islands. However, caution is advised, as the path can be steep and uneven in some sections.

Overall, Twalve-pund Stack is a remarkable natural wonder that showcases the dynamic forces of nature and provides a unique opportunity to observe and appreciate the diverse wildlife that calls the Shetland Islands home.

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Twalve-pund Stack Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.953019/-1.3530745 or Grid Reference HU3618. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Spiggie and Loch of Spiggie
Spiggie and Loch of Spiggie
Sand dunes at Sands of Scousburgh
Sand dunes at Sands of Scousburgh
Colsay from the air
Colsay from the air
View from the slopes of the Ward of Scousburgh With a good view of St Ninian's Isle and tombolo <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU3620">HU3620</a>.
View from the slopes of the Ward of Scousburgh
With a good view of St Ninian's Isle and tombolo HU3620.
View from the slopes of the Ward of Scousburgh A good view of Scousburgh Bay <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU3718">HU3718</a>, Northern Ness and Muckle Sound <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU3618">HU3618</a>.
View from the slopes of the Ward of Scousburgh
A good view of Scousburgh Bay HU3718, Northern Ness and Muckle Sound HU3618.
Inlet on the south-west corner of St Ninian's Isle Channel separating Sweyn Holm (to the left) from St Ninian's Isle.
Inlet on the south-west corner of St Ninian's Isle
Channel separating Sweyn Holm (to the left) from St Ninian's Isle.
St Ninian's Bay I am standing at the mainland end of the tombolo leading to St Ninian's Isle and looking south down St Ninian's Bay towards Inns Holm with Colsay off to the right. Northern Ness, Fora Ness and Noss Hill can be gilmpsed in the clouded distance.
St Ninian's Bay
I am standing at the mainland end of the tombolo leading to St Ninian's Isle and looking south down St Ninian's Bay towards Inns Holm with Colsay off to the right. Northern Ness, Fora Ness and Noss Hill can be gilmpsed in the clouded distance.
The south of St Ninian's Isle Seen from high on the slopes of Ward of Scousburgh, St Ninian's Isle seems to be preparing to repel boarders from the south (left). The small village in the foreground is Rerwick.
The south of St Ninian's Isle
Seen from high on the slopes of Ward of Scousburgh, St Ninian's Isle seems to be preparing to repel boarders from the south (left). The small village in the foreground is Rerwick.
St Ninian's Sheep Looking eastwards from St Ninian's Isle over the sand bar to Bigton.
St Ninian's Sheep
Looking eastwards from St Ninian's Isle over the sand bar to Bigton.
South coast of St Ninian's Isle
South coast of St Ninian's Isle
St Ninian's Bay Looking over the bay from the beach connecting the mainland with St Ninian's Isle.
St Ninian's Bay
Looking over the bay from the beach connecting the mainland with St Ninian's Isle.
The path to Longa Berg, St Ninian's Isle
The path to Longa Berg, St Ninian's Isle
Looking down to the Mare from Longa Berg Having walked round from the tombolo beach via the southwest and south coasts of St. Ninian's Isle, we had thought that conditions for sea kayaking round the island didn't look too bad, despite the wind. This first view out through the channel separating Sweyn Holm from the main part of the island confirmed us in our original view that this was a day for walking round looking from above, not poking in to caves and geos at sea level. Although the swell was not penetrating the geo at all, there was big surf all along the outer rocks - this coast is very exposed to the Atlantic.
Looking down to the Mare from Longa Berg
Having walked round from the tombolo beach via the southwest and south coasts of St. Ninian's Isle, we had thought that conditions for sea kayaking round the island didn't look too bad, despite the wind. This first view out through the channel separating Sweyn Holm from the main part of the island confirmed us in our original view that this was a day for walking round looking from above, not poking in to caves and geos at sea level. Although the swell was not penetrating the geo at all, there was big surf all along the outer rocks - this coast is very exposed to the Atlantic.
Nesting on a pointy skerry There seem to be Fulmars nesting on almost every cliff or ledge in most parts of Shetland, many in relatively accessible places, but I was rather taken with this one who had chosen to nest right on the top of a distinctly pointy skerry just off the southern tip of St. Ninian's Isle. The metamorphic rock is a micaceous psammite of the Colla Firth Group (Whiteness division 0 correlated with the Dalradian in mainland Scotland) here dipping quite steeply to the southwest. This produces the characteristic steep smooth rock faces on southwest-facing cliffs. The northeast-facing sides are steep, but much more ledgy, which produces many little niches which are the more favoured nesting sites, as you can see on High Herbi Clett on the right of the photo. Further out is Inns Holm, the southern tip of which is catching quite a lot of surf from the westerly swell (which is why we were walking today, and not sea kayaking).
Nesting on a pointy skerry
There seem to be Fulmars nesting on almost every cliff or ledge in most parts of Shetland, many in relatively accessible places, but I was rather taken with this one who had chosen to nest right on the top of a distinctly pointy skerry just off the southern tip of St. Ninian's Isle. The metamorphic rock is a micaceous psammite of the Colla Firth Group (Whiteness division 0 correlated with the Dalradian in mainland Scotland) here dipping quite steeply to the southwest. This produces the characteristic steep smooth rock faces on southwest-facing cliffs. The northeast-facing sides are steep, but much more ledgy, which produces many little niches which are the more favoured nesting sites, as you can see on High Herbi Clett on the right of the photo. Further out is Inns Holm, the southern tip of which is catching quite a lot of surf from the westerly swell (which is why we were walking today, and not sea kayaking).
Promnontory and stacks at St. Ninian's Isle, Shetland Masts on the Ward of Scousburgh can be seen in the background
Promnontory and stacks at St. Ninian's Isle, Shetland
Masts on the Ward of Scousburgh can be seen in the background
View from St. Ninian's Isle to the tombolo This tombolo links the island to Mainland Shetland, and is crossable most of the year. At very high tides, however, the waters either side may meet.
View from St. Ninian's Isle to the tombolo
This tombolo links the island to Mainland Shetland, and is crossable most of the year. At very high tides, however, the waters either side may meet.
High Herbi Clett from St. Ninian's Isle In the distance to the right of the picture you can see the isle of Colsay, and behind it the distinctive Fitful Head.
High Herbi Clett from St. Ninian's Isle
In the distance to the right of the picture you can see the isle of Colsay, and behind it the distinctive Fitful Head.
Butter Geo and coastal scenery, St. Ninian's Isle, Shetland
Butter Geo and coastal scenery, St. Ninian's Isle, Shetland
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Twalve-pund Stack is located at Grid Ref: HU3618 (Lat: 59.953019, Lng: -1.3530745)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///professes.bleaching.tilt. Near Sandwick, Shetland Islands

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