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Aastack

Island in Shetland

Scotland

Aastack

Gloup Holm from Valla Field The holm is on the right, with the mainland of Yell to the left.
Gloup Holm from Valla Field Credit: Mike Pennington

Located in the Shetland Islands, Aastack is a small and picturesque island situated off the coast of Scotland. With a total area of approximately 0.15 square kilometers, Aastack is one of the smallest islands in the Shetland archipelago. It is situated about 16 kilometers northeast of the Shetland mainland and is accessible by boat.

Aastack is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain, with steep cliffs that provide nesting sites for various seabirds, including guillemots and puffins. The island's coastline is dotted with sea caves and natural arches, adding to its natural beauty. The surrounding waters are rich in marine life, making Aastack a popular destination for divers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Despite its small size, Aastack boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna. The island is covered in grasses, heathers, and wildflowers, providing a colorful and vibrant landscape during the summer months. Various species of seabirds, seals, and otters can also be spotted around the island.

Aastack has no permanent human population and is uninhabited. It is primarily visited by tourists and birdwatchers who come to appreciate its natural beauty and wildlife. The island offers a tranquil and remote experience, allowing visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Due to its ecological significance, Aastack is designated as a nature reserve, ensuring the protection and preservation of its unique flora and fauna. Visitors are advised to adhere to responsible tourism practices and follow any guidelines provided to minimize their impact on the fragile ecosystem.

In summary, Aastack is a small and stunning island in the Shetland archipelago, known for its rugged cliffs, diverse wildlife, and tranquil atmosphere. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of nature in a remote and untouched setting.

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Aastack Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.720149/-1.1274526 or Grid Reference HP4704. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Gloup Holm from Valla Field The holm is on the right, with the mainland of Yell to the left.
Gloup Holm from Valla Field
The holm is on the right, with the mainland of Yell to the left.
Gloup Holm Seen from Scordaback Hill.
Gloup Holm
Seen from Scordaback Hill.
Sunset beyond Gloup Holm from Sothers Field
Sunset beyond Gloup Holm from Sothers Field
Swinga Taing Promontory on the north-west coast of Yell. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Swinga Taing
Promontory on the north-west coast of Yell. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Eegittle Promontory on the north-west coast of Yell. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Eegittle
Promontory on the north-west coast of Yell. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Coast between Aastack Geo and Bagi Stack The north-west corner of Yell, with the small light on the un-named headland above Bagi stack. The light is misplaced on both 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 maps, but according to Google Earth, magic.defra.gov.uk (and this photo) it is in this square and on this un-named headland. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Coast between Aastack Geo and Bagi Stack
The north-west corner of Yell, with the small light on the un-named headland above Bagi stack. The light is misplaced on both 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 maps, but according to Google Earth, magic.defra.gov.uk (and this photo) it is in this square and on this un-named headland. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
North-west Yell Bagi Stack and, further out on the left, Gloup Holm. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
North-west Yell
Bagi Stack and, further out on the left, Gloup Holm. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Natural arch off the coast of north-west Yell According to the 1:25,000 map, this may be Grey Stack, although the names of the stacks (and the location of the light) are rather obscure. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Natural arch off the coast of north-west Yell
According to the 1:25,000 map, this may be Grey Stack, although the names of the stacks (and the location of the light) are rather obscure. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Bagi Stack from the north With the small light on the headland beyond. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Bagi Stack from the north
With the small light on the headland beyond. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Gloup Holm With the Clapper on the left. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Gloup Holm
With the Clapper on the left. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.
Sea caves, Swinga Taing
Sea caves, Swinga Taing
Fishing floats, Burn of Blackies Glen An old sheep fank is being used to store these old fishing floats by Burn of Blackies Glen. However, it will not be so easy to get them out by sea because there is no safe place to land a boat here. The nearest place is Geo of Vigon, some 1.5 km north of here.
Fishing floats, Burn of Blackies Glen
An old sheep fank is being used to store these old fishing floats by Burn of Blackies Glen. However, it will not be so easy to get them out by sea because there is no safe place to land a boat here. The nearest place is Geo of Vigon, some 1.5 km north of here.
Looking north across Burgi Geos Burgi Geos derive their name from an Iron-Age fort which sits on the peninsula dividing the two geos.
Looking north across Burgi Geos
Burgi Geos derive their name from an Iron-Age fort which sits on the peninsula dividing the two geos.
Iron-age peninsula fort, Burgi Geo The fort is built on a narrow promontory, surrounded on three sides by 50 m cliffs. It dates from approximately 800 BC, and is typical of many Western European promontory forts of this period. The well-preserved processional "fence" of stones leads to the fortification itself, some of which can be seen on the promontory. Remains of hut circles have been found within the fortified area, although much of the fort has now collapsed into the sea.
Iron-age peninsula fort, Burgi Geo
The fort is built on a narrow promontory, surrounded on three sides by 50 m cliffs. It dates from approximately 800 BC, and is typical of many Western European promontory forts of this period. The well-preserved processional "fence" of stones leads to the fortification itself, some of which can be seen on the promontory. Remains of hut circles have been found within the fortified area, although much of the fort has now collapsed into the sea.
Eegittle from the east The narrow peninsula of Eegittle is geologically very interesting because it is composed of a rather more sandy type of meta-sediment than elsewhere on the western Yell coast, and it allows for a good understanding of the complexities of the structural geology in the area. It is also shot through with a number of deformed white granite veins.
Eegittle from the east
The narrow peninsula of Eegittle is geologically very interesting because it is composed of a rather more sandy type of meta-sediment than elsewhere on the western Yell coast, and it allows for a good understanding of the complexities of the structural geology in the area. It is also shot through with a number of deformed white granite veins.
Aastack Geo The geograph for this page in fact covers half of HP4705 and half of HP4704, and should in fact have a supplementary classification. The light-house is shown at a different location on both the 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 maps, but neither are correct as it is at HP47840496 according to my GPS.
Aastack Geo
The geograph for this page in fact covers half of HP4705 and half of HP4704, and should in fact have a supplementary classification. The light-house is shown at a different location on both the 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 maps, but neither are correct as it is at HP47840496 according to my GPS.
Looking south across Aastack Geo
Looking south across Aastack Geo
Bagi Stack Light-house This modern, steel-clad metal framework light-house is not at the position shown on either of the 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 maps, but (according to my GPS) is located at HP47840496. It flashes 4 times every 20 seconds and has a nominal range of 10 nautical miles.
Bagi Stack Light-house
This modern, steel-clad metal framework light-house is not at the position shown on either of the 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 maps, but (according to my GPS) is located at HP47840496. It flashes 4 times every 20 seconds and has a nominal range of 10 nautical miles.
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Aastack is located at Grid Ref: HP4704 (Lat: 60.720149, Lng: -1.1274526)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///ivory.robe.nickname. Near Gutcher, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Aastack Aastack Geo

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