Bight of the Sletts

Bay in Shetland

Scotland

Bight of the Sletts

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

The Bight of the Sletts, located in the Shetland Islands, is a picturesque bay renowned for its natural beauty and rich marine life. Situated on the eastern coast of Mainland Shetland, this bay is surrounded by rugged cliffs and offers stunning views of the North Sea.

The bay is characterized by its rocky shoreline, which is interspersed with small pebble beaches and occasional sandy stretches. The crystal-clear waters of the Bight of the Sletts are home to a diverse range of marine species, including seals, otters, and various seabirds. It is not uncommon to spot seals basking on the rocks or otters playing in the shallows.

The Bight of the Sletts is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers, as it serves as a nesting site for several bird species. Visitors can spot puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes, and fulmars, among others, during the breeding season.

The bay is also an excellent location for outdoor activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and fishing. Its tranquil waters and unique underwater ecosystem make it a favorite spot for divers, who can explore the kelp forests and encounter various species of fish and crustaceans.

Furthermore, the Bight of the Sletts is easily accessible, with a car park located nearby, allowing visitors to enjoy the bay's beauty without any hassle. Whether it's exploring the coastline, observing wildlife, or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings, the Bight of the Sletts offers a unique and captivating experience for all who venture there.

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Bight of the Sletts Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.149988/-1.1497303 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

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

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

Pullar's Loch, Ness of Sound, Lerwick

Mike Pennington

Pullar's Loch, Ness of Sound, Lerwick

Lerwick, and the Gilbert Bain Hospital, in the background.

Mike Pennington

Pullar's Loch, Ness of Sound, Lerwick

Mike Pennington

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Bight of the Sletts is located at Grid Ref: HU4740 (Lat: 60.149988, Lng: -1.1497303)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///sleeper.apprehend.oils. Near Lerwick, Shetland Islands

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.149988,-1.1497303

Mini Roundabout

Lat/Long: 60.1517011/-1.141623

Bight of the Sletts

Bay in Shetland

Scotland

Bight of the Sletts

Bight of the Sletts Images

What 3 Words

Nearby Locations

Related Wikis

Gilbert Bain Hospital

Montfield Hospital

Shetland Library

Lerwick Town Hall

County Buildings, Lerwick

Lerwick

SIBC

Garrison Theatre

Nearby Amenities

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