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West Ayre

Beach in Shetland

Scotland

West Ayre

Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness
Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness Credit: Mike Pennington

West Ayre is a stunning beach located on the Shetland Islands, which are part of Scotland. Situated on the west coast of the island, it offers visitors a tranquil and picturesque setting that is famous for its natural beauty.

The beach stretches for approximately 1.5 kilometers and is composed of fine golden sand, making it a popular spot for sunbathing and leisurely walks. Its secluded location ensures a peaceful atmosphere, allowing visitors to unwind while enjoying the breathtaking views of the North Atlantic Ocean.

West Ayre beach boasts crystal-clear waters that are ideal for swimming and other water activities. The beach is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as it is home to an array of birds and marine life. Seals can often be spotted basking in the sun on the nearby rocks, while various seabirds, such as puffins, gannets, and terns, can be observed in their natural habitat.

The beach is easily accessible, with nearby parking facilities available for visitors arriving by car. Additionally, it is conveniently located close to the charming village of Sandness, where visitors can find accommodations, restaurants, and shops.

West Ayre is a true gem of the Shetland Islands, offering visitors a peaceful retreat amidst stunning natural surroundings. Whether you seek relaxation, wildlife encounters, or simply wish to admire the rugged beauty of the Scottish coastline, West Ayre beach is an idyllic destination that will not disappoint.

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West Ayre Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.331797/-1.6841947 or Grid Reference HU1760. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness
Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness
Plantiecrub near Flaes Point A plantiecrub is a small walled enclosure in which cabbage seedlings are grown until they are big enough to plant out in croft gardens. They are usually built well away from the croft to protect the seedlings against the crofters' hens.
Plantiecrub near Flaes Point
A plantiecrub is a small walled enclosure in which cabbage seedlings are grown until they are big enough to plant out in croft gardens. They are usually built well away from the croft to protect the seedlings against the crofters' hens.
Ruined Meal Mills Several traditional mills straddle this little burn. Inside the building was a fixed lower millstone, and a rotating upper millstone driven by the water falling on to the paddles below, which were mounted at 45º to the vertical drive shaft.
Ruined Meal Mills
Several traditional mills straddle this little burn. Inside the building was a fixed lower millstone, and a rotating upper millstone driven by the water falling on to the paddles below, which were mounted at 45º to the vertical drive shaft.
The Loch that Ebbs and Flows The interior of Papa Stour is mainly moorland, though there are several lochans in the central part. This one's curious name reflects its closeness to the sea, from which it is cut off only by an ayre or shingle spit.
The Loch that Ebbs and Flows
The interior of Papa Stour is mainly moorland, though there are several lochans in the central part. This one's curious name reflects its closeness to the sea, from which it is cut off only by an ayre or shingle spit.
Lang Geo One of the many inlets typical of the north coast of Papa Stour.
Lang Geo
One of the many inlets typical of the north coast of Papa Stour.
Hurdibrack The last stretch of the footpath back from the west side of the island. In the middle distance is the wall which crosses the entire island, separating the arable land in the east from the pasture to the west.
Hurdibrack
The last stretch of the footpath back from the west side of the island. In the middle distance is the wall which crosses the entire island, separating the arable land in the east from the pasture to the west.
The Wall This is the wall which cuts across the whole island. The west side (left) has a steep face to prevent animals climbing over it. The east (right) side has a sloping face so that any animals which have managed to cross it can easily be driven back on to the pasture land.
The Wall
This is the wall which cuts across the whole island. The west side (left) has a steep face to prevent animals climbing over it. The east (right) side has a sloping face so that any animals which have managed to cross it can easily be driven back on to the pasture land.
Robie's Noust This is a very dull shot of a square which would certainly have yielded a more interesting image if we had had time to explore it before the ferry left.
Robie's Noust
This is a very dull shot of a square which would certainly have yielded a more interesting image if we had had time to explore it before the ferry left.
The Dales As with the next-door square, HU1861 would certainly have yielded a more interesting shot if we had not had to rush to catch the ferry!
The Dales
As with the next-door square, HU1861 would certainly have yielded a more interesting shot if we had not had to rush to catch the ferry!
Papa Stour Pier and Ferry The ferry runs regularly but infrequently, so that day trips to the island are only possible on Fridays or Saturdays.
Papa Stour Pier and Ferry
The ferry runs regularly but infrequently, so that day trips to the island are only possible on Fridays or Saturdays.
Ruined House
Ruined House
Ruined house The number of ruined buildings on the island seem to far outnumber those still habitable or used.
Ruined house
The number of ruined buildings on the island seem to far outnumber those still habitable or used.
Road and ruins This is the main road for the island. Even this close to the pier the ruins of abandoned crofts can be found just off the road.
Road and ruins
This is the main road for the island. Even this close to the pier the ruins of abandoned crofts can be found just off the road.
View towards Papa Stour Airstrip The cleared and smoothed ground in the upper right of the image is the airstrip for Papa Stour which is located in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU1759">HU1759</a>.
View towards Papa Stour Airstrip
The cleared and smoothed ground in the upper right of the image is the airstrip for Papa Stour which is located in HU1759.
Rocky coastline
Rocky coastline
View from North Ness The view here is from North Ness towards the highest point on the island. The ground shown in the foreground is typical of this rather barren area.
View from North Ness
The view here is from North Ness towards the highest point on the island. The ground shown in the foreground is typical of this rather barren area.
The "New" Pier The image here is taken from the old pier looking towards the new pier. The line of rusting fenceposts serves no useful purpose. The rocks along the shoreline are very popular with young seals - although they proved to be somewhat camera-shy.
The "New" Pier
The image here is taken from the old pier looking towards the new pier. The line of rusting fenceposts serves no useful purpose. The rocks along the shoreline are very popular with young seals - although they proved to be somewhat camera-shy.
A puzzling wall The purpose of this isolated section of wall is far from clear: you might think that perhaps it was in place to stop sheep wandering down onto the rocks beyond, but it would seem to be easy enough for them to walk around the wall.
A puzzling wall
The purpose of this isolated section of wall is far from clear: you might think that perhaps it was in place to stop sheep wandering down onto the rocks beyond, but it would seem to be easy enough for them to walk around the wall.
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West Ayre is located at Grid Ref: HU1760 (Lat: 60.331797, Lng: -1.6841947)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///select.directors.retain. Near Walls, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Hill of Olligarth Skeo Taing Otter Hadd Hesti Geo Ollamoor Loch Biggings

Related Wikis

Biggings
Biggings

Biggings is a village on the island of Papa Stour, in Shetland, Scotland. Papa Stour's church is situated at the south of Biggings. A homestead of Duke...

Papa Stour
Papa Stour

Papa Stour (Scots: Papa Stour) is one of the Shetland Islands in Scotland, with a population of under fifteen people, some of whom immigrated after an...

Maiden Stack
Maiden Stack

The Maiden Stack or Frau Stack is a tiny stack in the western Shetland Islands to the north of Brei Holm and east of Housa Voe in Papa Stour. It is so...

Brei Holm
Brei Holm

Brei Holm is a tiny tidal islet in the western Shetland Islands. It is due east of Papa Stour, to which it is connected at low tide, just outside Housa...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.331797,-1.6841947
Hurdiback
Place: hamlet
Lat/Long: 60.3298066/-1.6787917
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3286927/-1.6817865
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Man Made: mast
Tower Type: communication
Lat/Long: 60.3290894/-1.6801514
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.329184/-1.6813047
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.331034/-1.679524
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: cattle_grid
Lat/Long: 60.330661/-1.6816115
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3274412/-1.6860543
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3321824/-1.6757529
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3277037/-1.6827252
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3280845/-1.6823657
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3297692/-1.6807455
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3304253/-1.6801032
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3313862/-1.6783681
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3317824/-1.6770595
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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