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Big Skerry

Island in Shetland

Scotland

Big Skerry

Crogagarth, Brindister
Crogagarth, Brindister Credit: Mike Pennington

Big Skerry is a small uninhabited island located in the Shetland archipelago, which lies off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is situated approximately 7 kilometers north of Yell, the second-largest island in the Shetland group. Covering an area of about 0.2 square kilometers, Big Skerry is a rocky and rugged islet that is part of the North Isles of Shetland.

The island is known for its distinctive geological features, characterized by towering cliffs, sea caves, and natural arches. These formations are a result of thousands of years of wave erosion and the island's exposure to strong winds and rough seas. Big Skerry is also home to a diverse range of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, which nest in the cliffs during the breeding season.

Access to Big Skerry is challenging, as there are no regular ferry services or other means of transportation to the island. Visitors can only reach it by private boat or by joining specialized wildlife tours. Due to its remote location and lack of facilities, the island is not suitable for overnight stays or extended visits. However, it is a popular destination for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers seeking to capture the untamed beauty of the Shetland Islands.

In summary, Big Skerry is a small, uninhabited island in the Shetland archipelago, characterized by its rocky terrain, striking cliffs, and abundant seabird populations. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the ruggedness and natural beauty of the Shetland Islands, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a remote and untouched wilderness.

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Big Skerry Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.099381/-1.2228389 or Grid Reference HU4335. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Crogagarth, Brindister
Crogagarth, Brindister
Quarff Leog between Quarff and Fladdabister
Quarff Leog between Quarff and Fladdabister
Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre), Quarff The densely packed flowerheads, and tallness, help distinguish this from other thistles.
Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre), Quarff
The densely packed flowerheads, and tallness, help distinguish this from other thistles.
Milestone Milestone on former A970, Grutness 19 miles, Lerwick 7 miles. Current A970 in the distance.
Milestone
Milestone on former A970, Grutness 19 miles, Lerwick 7 miles. Current A970 in the distance.
Bus to Sandwick Leasks of Lerwick Volvo B7RLE/Plaxton Centro (T50 JLS) on route number 6 towards Sandwick.
Bus to Sandwick
Leasks of Lerwick Volvo B7RLE/Plaxton Centro (T50 JLS) on route number 6 towards Sandwick.
A970 at Quarff The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
A970 at Quarff
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
Bus Stop on the A970 at Quarff The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
Bus Stop on the A970 at Quarff
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
House at Quarff
House at Quarff
A970, Easter Quarff The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
A970, Easter Quarff
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
Bus Stop on A970 near Easter Quarff The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
Bus Stop on A970 near Easter Quarff
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
A970 between Quarff and Fladdabister The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
A970 between Quarff and Fladdabister
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
Old Milestone by old A970, Loch of Brindister, Lerwick Parish Shetland concrete by the Old A970, in parish of Lerwick (Mainland District), Loch of Brindister, on old road. Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: SH_LWSB06
Old Milestone by old A970, Loch of Brindister, Lerwick Parish
Shetland concrete by the Old A970, in parish of Lerwick (Mainland District), Loch of Brindister, on old road. Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: SH_LWSB06
Old Milestone by the old A970, Easter Quarff, Lerwick Shetland concrete by the old A970, in parish of Lerwick (Mainland District), Quarff, on old road through hamlet, behind wire fence. Inscription reads:- : G / 19 : : (?) / (?) : (To Grutness and ?) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: SH_LWSB07
Old Milestone by the old A970, Easter Quarff, Lerwick
Shetland concrete by the old A970, in parish of Lerwick (Mainland District), Quarff, on old road through hamlet, behind wire fence. Inscription reads:- : G / 19 : : (?) / (?) : (To Grutness and ?) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: SH_LWSB07
A970 towards Lerwick The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A970">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> SABRE
A970 towards Lerwick
The A970 runs for 71 miles across most of the length of the "Mainland" in the Shetland Islands. It is a good-quality single-carriageway road for most of its route. Travelling from south to north, the road begins at Grutness near Sumburgh Airport and winds around the many hills and inlets passing close to a number of small villages without going through any large ones before Lerwick. After looping around Lerwick, a short spur runs to Scalloway whilst the main route continues northwards towards Brae where it crosses the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind. At Sandy Lochs the road splits and a four-mile spur goes through Urafirth to Hillswick. The main route continuing to the right towards its northern terminus at Isbister. This last part of the route tends to be narrower with passing places. LinkExternal link SABRE
Old milestone One of the concrete milestones on the route from Lerwick to Sumburgh. The road has been improved over the years and this stone is on the old road through Easter Quarff. There was in 2010 the remnants of G (Grutness) 18 on the left face and L 7 on the right.
Old milestone
One of the concrete milestones on the route from Lerwick to Sumburgh. The road has been improved over the years and this stone is on the old road through Easter Quarff. There was in 2010 the remnants of G (Grutness) 18 on the left face and L 7 on the right.
Quarff: postbox № ZE2 64 and phone This postbox was probably moved here ten years or so ago when the post office (wherever it was) closed. It stands next to a modern phone box and a bus shelter on the main road, by the chief turning to the village. The postbox is emptied at 9am each weekday and Saturday.
Quarff: postbox № ZE2 64 and phone
This postbox was probably moved here ten years or so ago when the post office (wherever it was) closed. It stands next to a modern phone box and a bus shelter on the main road, by the chief turning to the village. The postbox is emptied at 9am each weekday and Saturday.
Quarff: the church A view from the main road in a drizzle!
Quarff: the church
A view from the main road in a drizzle!
Ruined Croft Small Ruined Croft
Ruined Croft
Small Ruined Croft
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Big Skerry is located at Grid Ref: HU4335 (Lat: 60.099381, Lng: -1.2228389)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///scream.newest.consented. Near Scalloway, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Couster Skerry East Voe of Quarff Big Skerry Conga Geo Little Skerry Henry's Loch

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.099381,-1.2228389
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.0963879/-1.2238088
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.0961339/-1.2249273
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.0959025/-1.2259868
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.096051/-1.2272018
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.0962181/-1.2284195
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East Voe of Quaff
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 60.0988951/-1.2195897
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Lat/Long: 60.0965603/-1.2271499
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.0970866/-1.2270713
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.0975576/-1.2269858
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.1028084/-1.2281709
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.1023501/-1.2270667
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.1018861/-1.2259256
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.1014232/-1.2248283
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.100897/-1.2257269
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.1004929/-1.2271291
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.1002107/-1.2266417
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.0999263/-1.2261196
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.0995348/-1.2254382
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.1022569/-1.2248722
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.1023697/-1.2243017
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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