Ayre of Gardie

Beach in Shetland

Scotland

Ayre of Gardie

Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness Credit: Mike Pennington

Ayre of Gardie is a picturesque beach located in Shetland, a group of islands off the north coast of Scotland. Situated on the west side of Shetland Mainland, this beach is known for its stunning natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. With its pristine white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Ayre of Gardie offers visitors a serene and idyllic coastal experience.

The beach is easily accessible, with a car park conveniently situated nearby, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The area is also well-maintained, with amenities such as public toilets and picnic areas available for visitors to enjoy.

Ayre of Gardie is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and rolling hills, providing a stunning backdrop for those looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Shetland landscape. The beach is also home to a variety of wildlife, including seals, otters, and numerous bird species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Visitors to Ayre of Gardie can indulge in a range of activities, including swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. The shallow waters are safe for children to paddle in, and the soft sands provide a perfect spot for building sandcastles or simply relaxing and soaking up the sun.

Overall, Ayre of Gardie is a true gem on the Shetland coastline, offering a tranquil and picturesque beach experience for those seeking a peaceful retreat in the midst of stunning natural surroundings.

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Ayre of Gardie Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.330516/-1.6745188 or Grid Reference HU1860. 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

Rocky coastline

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

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.

Doug Lee