Starling Rock

Island in Shetland

Scotland

Starling Rock

The Bight of Ham Small bay on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay. — The Bight of Ham Credit: Oliver Dixon

Starling Rock is a prominent feature located in the Shetland Islands, which lie off the northeast coast of Scotland. Situated in the heart of the archipelago, Starling Rock is a captivating sea stack that rises dramatically from the North Sea. The rock formation stands at an impressive height of approximately 120 feet (36 meters), making it a popular attraction for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.

This geological wonder is composed of rugged sandstone, shaped by years of relentless coastal erosion. Its distinctive shape has been likened to that of a starling, hence the name Starling Rock. The base of the stack is flanked by sheer cliffs, adding to its dramatic appeal.

The surrounding area is a haven for birdlife, and Starling Rock serves as a vital breeding ground for numerous seabird species. Visitors to the site can expect to witness an array of avian activity, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars. These birds nest on the rock face and can often be seen soaring overhead or diving into the sea below in search of food.

Access to Starling Rock is possible by boat, offering visitors an up-close and awe-inspiring view of this natural marvel. However, caution is advised when navigating the surrounding waters due to submerged rocks and strong currents.

Starling Rock, with its striking appearance and abundant birdlife, is a testament to the raw beauty of the Shetland Islands. It stands as a testament to the power of nature and offers a unique opportunity to witness the diverse wildlife that calls this remote corner of Scotland home.

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Starling Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.146163/-1.1413831 or Grid Reference HU4740. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Bight of Ham

Small bay on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay.

Oliver Dixon

House at the Taing of Ham

Oliver Dixon

Ham Peninsula on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay. Across the water are houses on the Ness of Sound <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU4639">HU4639</a> on Shetland Mainland.

Ham

Peninsula on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay. Across the water are houses on the Ness of Sound HU4639 on Shetland Mainland.

Oliver Dixon

The road to Bressay Lighthouse

Oliver Dixon

The turning for Ham

On the road to Bressay Lighthouse.

Oliver Dixon

MV Costa Fortuna at anchor in Bressay Sound

The size of the MV Costa Fortuna (464 cabins, nine swimming pools and five restaurants) meant that it was obliged to anchor out in the Sound rather than at the quayside in Lerwick. A flotilla of barges were kept busy ferrying passengers to and from the Victoria Pier. The Costa Fortuna is a sister ship to the ill-starred Costa Concordia which sank off the Italian coast in 2012.

Oliver Dixon

Pullar's Loch, Sound, from the air

Mike Pennington

Ness of Sound, Lerwick, from the air

Mike Pennington

Small boat off Ness of Sound

Taken from the Knab in Lerwick.

Mike Pennington

Coastal Farm, Bressay

David Dixon

Bressay, House at Ham

David Dixon

MV Knab, Lerwick Pilot Boat

The Lerwick pilot boat, MV Knab, in Bressay Sound.

David Dixon

Ham

Coastal settlement on Bressay.

David Dixon

Cro of Ham

David Dixon

Light Beacon

White construction, Cro of Ham on Bressay, containing a light beacon, that anyone who has ever taken the Lerwick-Aberdeen Ferry, must have seen when entering/leaving Lerwick Harbour. Across Bressay Sound you see South Ness Cemetery.

Vanhercke Christiaan

Cro of Ham

Tim Glover

Skerries on east side of Ness of Sound

The gently dipping Middle Old Red Sandstone of east Mainland produces skerries with a steep side facing the shore of Ness of Sound, and a slope off into the waters of Brei Wick. This makes them easy for seals to haul out on the seaward side, and slide quickly away from the shore if disturbed, though the ones we saw had chosen a boulder beach a little way north where they seemed better camouflaged. Perhaps the less visible ones remained while ones here had already departed before we got to them ! There certainly seeme to be seal heads popping up all along the shore of Brei Wick, watching the people passing by. In the distance in this view is Bressay Sound, overlooked by Lerwick on the left (with the prominent coastguard building on the hilltop) and Bressay on the right.

Andy Waddington

Voe of Sound

This is the low western side of Ness of Sound, with no cliffs and a short drop to the bouldery beach overlooking Voe of Sound. Although the Voe is not very wide, and doesn't have much in the way of waves even in the fresh gusty wind, it is clear that it can get a lot rougher. Much of the shoreline vegetation was blackened by dehydration caused by the salt spray which blows over - anything brave enough to stick up above the surrounding grasses seemed badly affected, particularly the nettles. To the left (west) of Sands of Sound, the green lump is Holm of Sound, behind which are the houses of Sound and Upper Sound (now westerly suburbs of Lerwick).

Andy Waddington

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Starling Rock is located at Grid Ref: HU4740 (Lat: 60.146163, Lng: -1.1413831)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands