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Ayre Dyke

Beach in Shetland

Scotland

Ayre Dyke

The southern part of Houss Ness Seen from just south of the summit of Ward of Symbister.
The southern part of Houss Ness Credit: David Purchase

Ayre Dyke is a picturesque beach located on the island of Shetland in Scotland. Situated on the eastern coast of the island, it stretches along the North Sea and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The beach is known for its rugged beauty, with rocky cliffs and sandy shores that are a haven for nature enthusiasts and beachgoers alike.

The beach is easily accessible by road and has parking facilities nearby, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists. Ayre Dyke boasts clean and clear waters, making it an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities during the warmer months. The beach is also a great place for exploring marine life and discovering various species of fish and shellfish.

At low tide, Ayre Dyke transforms into a vast expanse of sand and shallow pools, which are perfect for children to play in and for beachcombers to search for seashells and other treasures. The area is rich in wildlife, and visitors may have the chance to spot seals, seabirds, and even otters along the shoreline.

Ayre Dyke offers a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, providing visitors with an opportunity to relax and unwind while enjoying the beauty of nature. Whether it's taking a leisurely stroll along the beach, having a picnic on the sand, or simply admiring the breathtaking views, Ayre Dyke is a must-visit destination for those seeking a serene coastal experience on the island of Shetland.

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Ayre Dyke Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.060852/-1.3244549 or Grid Reference HU3730. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The southern part of Houss Ness Seen from just south of the summit of Ward of Symbister.
The southern part of Houss Ness
Seen from just south of the summit of Ward of Symbister.
At Gossigarth on Kettla Ness Looking towards Banna Minn and Duncansclett.
At Gossigarth on Kettla Ness
Looking towards Banna Minn and Duncansclett.
The Haas on Houss Ness A curving bay on the east coast of Houss Ness.
The Haas on Houss Ness
A curving bay on the east coast of Houss Ness.
Stack of Oila, Houss Ness
Stack of Oila, Houss Ness
View over the Haas, Houss Ness Beyond the bay (the Haas) rises the Ward of Symbister, the highest point on Houss Ness.
View over the Haas, Houss Ness
Beyond the bay (the Haas) rises the Ward of Symbister, the highest point on Houss Ness.
Approaching Clivland Bay, Houss Ness A small bay backed by numerous ruined buildings.
Approaching Clivland Bay, Houss Ness
A small bay backed by numerous ruined buildings.
Stream emerging at Clivland Bay Plenty of bubbles in peaty brown water.
Stream emerging at Clivland Bay
Plenty of bubbles in peaty brown water.
Symbister, East Burra An extensive set of ruined buildings.
Symbister, East Burra
An extensive set of ruined buildings.
Small fishing boat and salmon cages off Teisti Geo Teisti Geo is a prominent indentation in the otherwise smooth coastline of Clift Sound.
Small fishing boat and salmon cages off Teisti Geo
Teisti Geo is a prominent indentation in the otherwise smooth coastline of Clift Sound.
Burnt Mound at Symbister One of three burnt mounds indicated on the 1:25,000 OS mapping. This was a smaller mound. Often features like this are marked on maps yet are hard to find. A Eureka moment followed after the GPS location was checked. I understand the purpose of burnt mounds is a contentious issue.
Burnt Mound at Symbister
One of three burnt mounds indicated on the 1:25,000 OS mapping. This was a smaller mound. Often features like this are marked on maps yet are hard to find. A Eureka moment followed after the GPS location was checked. I understand the purpose of burnt mounds is a contentious issue.
Symbister This croft site was abandoned in the early 1950s largely because there was no road to it. [P. Guy, Walking the Coastline of Shetland, South Mainland, Shetland Times, Lerwick, 2000.]
Symbister
This croft site was abandoned in the early 1950s largely because there was no road to it. [P. Guy, Walking the Coastline of Shetland, South Mainland, Shetland Times, Lerwick, 2000.]
Derelict Croft The ruins of the croft at Gossigarth with Banna Minn showing behind
Derelict Croft
The ruins of the croft at Gossigarth with Banna Minn showing behind
East Burra: Houss from West Burra Looking across South Voe towards the scattered dwellings of Houss with the mighty slopes of Shetland's south mainland on the far side of Clift Sound beyond.
East Burra: Houss from West Burra
Looking across South Voe towards the scattered dwellings of Houss with the mighty slopes of Shetland's south mainland on the far side of Clift Sound beyond.
Houss: view from Papil Looking across the water separating West Burra (our side) from East Burra, on which we see a few of the buildings, one of them ruined, in the hamlet of Houss. Immediately to the south (right) of these is the narrow strip of land connecting Houss Ness to the 'main' part of East Burra. The Clift Hills, on the mainland, are the backdrop, shrouded in cloud.
Houss: view from Papil
Looking across the water separating West Burra (our side) from East Burra, on which we see a few of the buildings, one of them ruined, in the hamlet of Houss. Immediately to the south (right) of these is the narrow strip of land connecting Houss Ness to the 'main' part of East Burra. The Clift Hills, on the mainland, are the backdrop, shrouded in cloud.
Houss: a house with a dramatic backdrop Looking across to a Houss house, as it were, from West Burra. I haven't been able to exactly locate the house on the map but it's somewhere hereabouts. In the background, a couple of vessels, below the cliffs of the Clift Hills, are catching a very rare bit of sun today - the rarity of the fine weather hinted at by the low mist towards the top of the hills.
Houss: a house with a dramatic backdrop
Looking across to a Houss house, as it were, from West Burra. I haven't been able to exactly locate the house on the map but it's somewhere hereabouts. In the background, a couple of vessels, below the cliffs of the Clift Hills, are catching a very rare bit of sun today - the rarity of the fine weather hinted at by the low mist towards the top of the hills.
Boats at The Taing The boats seen here are moored at a yard on the east coast of the Voe of North House, on the small peninsula called The Taing on East Burra. East Burra is a very narrow island (as is West Burra) that is linked to Mainland Shetland via bridges to Trondra and West Burra. The bridge between West and East Burra is a simple stone arch bridge in Bridge End.
Boats at The Taing
The boats seen here are moored at a yard on the east coast of the Voe of North House, on the small peninsula called The Taing on East Burra. East Burra is a very narrow island (as is West Burra) that is linked to Mainland Shetland via bridges to Trondra and West Burra. The bridge between West and East Burra is a simple stone arch bridge in Bridge End.
The Taing and Voe of North House The Taing is a small promontory of East Burra island into Clift Sound, with the Voe of North House on the right. The little stream entering the Voe at this point is a drain from the small Loch of Houss a few hundred yards to the north. A closer view of the end of the Taing can be seen here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2586774">HU3831 : Boats at The Taing</a> and of the cottages on the left of the image, here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2695373">HU3831 : Cottages on The Taing</a>
The Taing and Voe of North House
The Taing is a small promontory of East Burra island into Clift Sound, with the Voe of North House on the right. The little stream entering the Voe at this point is a drain from the small Loch of Houss a few hundred yards to the north. A closer view of the end of the Taing can be seen here HU3831 : Boats at The Taing and of the cottages on the left of the image, here HU3831 : Cottages on The Taing
Cottages on The Taing A cluster of current and former dwellings at the northern end of The Taing, a small promontory of East Burra island. The Clift Hills of Mainland Shetland rise up behind them as a quite dramatic backdrop.
Cottages on The Taing
A cluster of current and former dwellings at the northern end of The Taing, a small promontory of East Burra island. The Clift Hills of Mainland Shetland rise up behind them as a quite dramatic backdrop.
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Ayre Dyke is located at Grid Ref: HU3730 (Lat: 60.060852, Lng: -1.3244549)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///showering.washed.sneezed. Near Sandwick, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Clettna Taing Houb Taing of Symbister Lotra of Houss Strattas Geo Ward of Symbister

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.060852,-1.3244549
Houss
Place: hamlet
Lat/Long: 60.0643258/-1.3249676
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.0637683/-1.3263631
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.0644322/-1.3268137
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Houss
Bus: yes
Fixme: Location unknown
Public Transport: platform
Lat/Long: 60.06351/-1.324802
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Houbs Ayre Shetland
Claver Shetland

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