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Bight of Laward

Bay in Shetland

Scotland

Bight of Laward

To Sumburgh Head Taken at Jarlshof, settlement site on Shetland dating back 4,000 years and still in use in the 17th century, I am looking across the West Voe of Sumburgh towards Sumburgh Head, the most southerly point of mainland Shetland.
To Sumburgh Head Credit: Carroll Pierce

The Bight of Laward, also known as Laward Bay, is a picturesque bay located on the east coast of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. Situated on the island of Mainland, this bay is nestled between the settlements of Lerwick and Scalloway.

The Bight of Laward is characterized by its stunning natural beauty and tranquil surroundings. The bay is sheltered by rocky headlands, which provide protection from the open sea and create a peaceful and calm environment. The water in the bay is typically calm and clear, making it an ideal spot for various recreational activities such as swimming, kayaking, and boating.

The bay is surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The shoreline is adorned with beautiful sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and vibrant wildflowers during the summer months. The bay is also home to a diverse range of marine life, making it a popular spot for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

The Bight of Laward is easily accessible by road, with parking facilities available nearby. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, who visit to enjoy the tranquility of the bay, go for leisurely walks along the shoreline, or simply soak in the stunning natural surroundings.

Overall, the Bight of Laward is a hidden gem in the Shetland Islands, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and experience the peacefulness of this idyllic bay.

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Bight of Laward Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.872953/-1.2726882 or Grid Reference HU4009. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

To Sumburgh Head Taken at Jarlshof, settlement site on Shetland dating back 4,000 years and still in use in the 17th century, I am looking across the West Voe of Sumburgh towards Sumburgh Head, the most southerly point of mainland Shetland.
To Sumburgh Head
Taken at Jarlshof, settlement site on Shetland dating back 4,000 years and still in use in the 17th century, I am looking across the West Voe of Sumburgh towards Sumburgh Head, the most southerly point of mainland Shetland.
Wheelhouse entrance This is a section of the extensive remains located at Jarlshof, Sumburgh, Shetland. The site was first settled around 4,000 years ago and had a succession of inhabitants through the Bronze and Iron Ages to Norse settlement and medieval farming following on until the 17th century. I am looking at an entrance to the wheelhouse complex on the site.
Wheelhouse entrance
This is a section of the extensive remains located at Jarlshof, Sumburgh, Shetland. The site was first settled around 4,000 years ago and had a succession of inhabitants through the Bronze and Iron Ages to Norse settlement and medieval farming following on until the 17th century. I am looking at an entrance to the wheelhouse complex on the site.
Sumburgh Airport from Jarlshof Taken on the inner path running between the wheelhouse complex and the Norse settlement at Jarlshof, Sumburgh, I am looking across the eastern edge of West Voe to Sumburgh Airport, Shetland's main airport.
Sumburgh Airport from Jarlshof
Taken on the inner path running between the wheelhouse complex and the Norse settlement at Jarlshof, Sumburgh, I am looking across the eastern edge of West Voe to Sumburgh Airport, Shetland's main airport.
Sumburgh Hotel I am near the visitor centre at Jarlshof, Shetland, and looking past the Shetland pony towards the Sumburgh Hotel which is flying the Shetland flag. The hill beyond crowned with radar installation is the landward side of Compass Head.
Sumburgh Hotel
I am near the visitor centre at Jarlshof, Shetland, and looking past the Shetland pony towards the Sumburgh Hotel which is flying the Shetland flag. The hill beyond crowned with radar installation is the landward side of Compass Head.
Scatness from the air
Scatness from the air
MV Good Shepherd IV at Grutness pier The Fair Isle ferry.
MV Good Shepherd IV at Grutness pier
The Fair Isle ferry.
MV Good Shepherd IV arriving at Grutness pier
MV Good Shepherd IV arriving at Grutness pier
MV Good Shepherd IV approaching the pier at Grutness
MV Good Shepherd IV approaching the pier at Grutness
Looss Laward from the air
Looss Laward from the air
Punds, Eastshore, Virkie, from the air
Punds, Eastshore, Virkie, from the air
Male House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) bathing, Grutness
Male House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) bathing, Grutness
Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica), Grutness A rare vagrant from North America; only the 5th seen in Britain.
Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica), Grutness
A rare vagrant from North America; only the 5th seen in Britain.
Grutness House from the pier
Grutness House from the pier
Guillemots on a stack at Sumburgh Head
Guillemots on a stack at Sumburgh Head
Sumburgh Head Lighthouse At the summit of this path lie the lighthouse and visitor centre at Sumburgh Head, the southernmost point of mainland Shetland. This is also a nature reserve teeming with birdlife on the cliffs and the rocks below.
Sumburgh Head Lighthouse
At the summit of this path lie the lighthouse and visitor centre at Sumburgh Head, the southernmost point of mainland Shetland. This is also a nature reserve teeming with birdlife on the cliffs and the rocks below.
Shags at Sumburgh Head One of many bird colonies to be found at Sumburgh Head, Shetland, these are shags or skarfs as they are known in Shetland dialect.
Shags at Sumburgh Head
One of many bird colonies to be found at Sumburgh Head, Shetland, these are shags or skarfs as they are known in Shetland dialect.
Minor lighthouse, Sumburgh With Sumburgh Head and its main lighthouse behind me, I am looking back to the car park which is also the location of a minor lighthouse. This light was relocated from its original position at Muckle Roe in 2001 to make way for a lower-maintenance version lit by solar panels.
Minor lighthouse, Sumburgh
With Sumburgh Head and its main lighthouse behind me, I am looking back to the car park which is also the location of a minor lighthouse. This light was relocated from its original position at Muckle Roe in 2001 to make way for a lower-maintenance version lit by solar panels.
Guillemots at Sumburgh Head One of many bird colonies around Sumburgh Head, at the southernmost point of Shetland, these are guillemots.
Guillemots at Sumburgh Head
One of many bird colonies around Sumburgh Head, at the southernmost point of Shetland, these are guillemots.
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Bight of Laward is located at Grid Ref: HU4009 (Lat: 59.872953, Lng: -1.2726882)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///obviously.rocky.most. Near Sumburgh, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Muldri Geo Compass Head Rigging of Maggie Morris' Geo Links of Sumburgh The Compass Widdels Kame

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.872953,-1.2726882
Toilets
Lat/Long: 59.8741924/-1.2776806
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Ferry Terminal
Ferry: yes
Public Transport: station
Lat/Long: 59.8743823/-1.278544
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Telephone
Booth: K6
Covered: booth
Lat/Long: 59.8740787/-1.2775087
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Grutness
Place: hamlet
Lat/Long: 59.8737914/-1.2772983
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bight of Laward
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 59.8733565/-1.2723756
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.8723607/-1.2800899
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.8710111/-1.2757263
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Grutness Pier
Bus: yes
Public Transport: platform
Lat/Long: 59.8740579/-1.2775898
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
End section 6/ beginning section 7
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 59.8718133/-1.2723578
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
End section 7
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 59.8743769/-1.2773429
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Channer Wick Shetland
Whitburn Bay Durham

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