Kirk Sand

Beach in Shetland

Scotland

Kirk Sand

Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness Credit: Mike Pennington

Kirk Sand is a picturesque beach located on the island of Shetland, Scotland. Situated on the west coast of the mainland, it is known for its stunning natural beauty and tranquility. The beach is easily accessible, with a small parking area available for visitors.

The sand at Kirk Sand is soft and golden, stretching for approximately 200 meters along the coastline. The beach is flanked by rugged cliffs, creating a dramatic backdrop against the clear blue waters of the North Sea. At low tide, the beach expands, revealing rock pools teeming with marine life, making it a popular spot for beachcombing and exploring.

The area surrounding Kirk Sand is rich in wildlife, attracting birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. Visitors can spot a variety of seabirds, such as puffins, fulmars, and guillemots, as well as seals and otters playing in the shallows.

The beach offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere, making it an ideal location for a leisurely stroll or a quiet picnic. There are no facilities or amenities directly on the beach, so visitors are advised to bring their own supplies.

Kirk Sand is also steeped in history, with remnants of ancient settlements and archaeological sites nearby. The beach provides a glimpse into the island's past and offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Overall, Kirk Sand is a hidden gem in Shetland, offering visitors a chance to connect with nature, explore history, and enjoy the tranquility of this remote coastal paradise.

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Kirk Sand Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.322632/-1.6776569 or Grid Reference HU1759. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness

Mike Pennington

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.

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

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!

Anne Burgess

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.

Anne Burgess

Ruined House

Doug Lee

Ruined house

The number of ruined buildings on the island seem to far outnumber those still habitable or used.

Doug Lee

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.

Doug Lee

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.

Doug Lee

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.

Doug Lee

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.

Doug Lee

Ruined homestead

Doug Lee

Oystercatcher nest with eggs

This nest was located in the pebbles at the high-point of the beach. The eggs are camouflaged to be hard to see amongst the pebbles - although thankfully these were just noticeable enough to escape being trodden on. The oystercatchers seem to be surviving relatively well on the island, whilst the previously abundant tern population has been largely destroyed by the skuas.

Doug Lee