1. Home
  2. Scotland
  3. Highlands and Islands
  4. Shetland Islands
  5. Shetland
  6. South Ayre

South Ayre

Beach in Shetland

Scotland

South Ayre

The summit of Fora Ness Fora Ness is a small uninhabited island off the east coast of Shetland Mainland. The photo shows Oldhall on Mainland, and North Ayre: however North Ayre is not the crossing point, that is South Ayre (just out of shot to the left). That is usually passable, though not, I suspect, at times of high tides and strong winds. High on the left can be seen the A968, which leaves the A970 near Voe and proceeds to the ferry for Yell at Toft. The road continues across Yell and then, by another ferry, to the north of Unst.
The summit of Fora Ness Credit: Michael Earnshaw

South Ayre Beach is a picturesque coastal area located on the island of Shetland, Scotland. Stretching along the southern coast, it offers visitors a tranquil and idyllic setting. With its pristine white sand, clear turquoise waters, and stunning panoramic views, it is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

Situated within close proximity to the town of Lerwick, South Ayre Beach is easily accessible, making it a convenient destination for day trips or leisurely walks. The beach is nestled between rocky cliffs, providing a dramatic backdrop and adding to its natural beauty.

The beach boasts a wide expanse of sand, perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, or simply taking a leisurely stroll. Its calm and sheltered waters make it an ideal spot for swimming, and the surrounding area offers ample opportunities for water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding.

South Ayre Beach is also renowned for its diverse wildlife. It is a popular spot for birdwatchers, with a variety of seabirds, including puffins, gannets, and terns, frequenting the area. Seals can often be spotted basking on the nearby rocks, and occasionally, lucky visitors may even catch a glimpse of otters playing along the shoreline.

Overall, South Ayre Beach offers a peaceful and picturesque escape for nature lovers and beach enthusiasts. Its natural beauty, accessibility, and abundant wildlife make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the enchanting island of Shetland.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

South Ayre Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.431009/-1.1934129 or Grid Reference HU4472. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The summit of Fora Ness Fora Ness is a small uninhabited island off the east coast of Shetland Mainland. The photo shows Oldhall on Mainland, and North Ayre: however North Ayre is not the crossing point, that is South Ayre (just out of shot to the left). That is usually passable, though not, I suspect, at times of high tides and strong winds. High on the left can be seen the A968, which leaves the A970 near Voe and proceeds to the ferry for Yell at Toft. The road continues across Yell and then, by another ferry, to the north of Unst.
The summit of Fora Ness
Fora Ness is a small uninhabited island off the east coast of Shetland Mainland. The photo shows Oldhall on Mainland, and North Ayre: however North Ayre is not the crossing point, that is South Ayre (just out of shot to the left). That is usually passable, though not, I suspect, at times of high tides and strong winds. High on the left can be seen the A968, which leaves the A970 near Voe and proceeds to the ferry for Yell at Toft. The road continues across Yell and then, by another ferry, to the north of Unst.
Swinister: view towards Fora Ness Looking across the northern corner of Dales Voe, towards the 100m-high lump of Fora Ness, which is connected to the mainland by two isthmuses, North and South Ayre.
Swinister: view towards Fora Ness
Looking across the northern corner of Dales Voe, towards the 100m-high lump of Fora Ness, which is connected to the mainland by two isthmuses, North and South Ayre.
Swinister: orphaned segment of the A968 The course of the road has clearly been realigned over the years, leaving this tiny strip of tarmac to lay disused and inaccessible.
Swinister: orphaned segment of the A968
The course of the road has clearly been realigned over the years, leaving this tiny strip of tarmac to lay disused and inaccessible.
Mossbank: postbox № ZE2 2, Firth A small postbox at the western edge of Mossbank, alongside the A968. It is emptied at 11:15 on weekday and Saturday mornings. Firths Voe is in the background.
Mossbank: postbox № ZE2 2, Firth
A small postbox at the western edge of Mossbank, alongside the A968. It is emptied at 11:15 on weekday and Saturday mornings. Firths Voe is in the background.
Telecoms tower on Firth Ness Telecoms tower and attendant building.
Telecoms tower on Firth Ness
Telecoms tower and attendant building.
Ninian pipeline landfall at Firth Ness The Ninian pipeline's second landfall, having already crossed Lunna Ness a few miles to the east. This breakwater has been built to prevent erosion of the backfilled shoreline where the pipeline was pulled ashore into a prepared trench using two large winches.
Ninian pipeline landfall at Firth Ness
The Ninian pipeline's second landfall, having already crossed Lunna Ness a few miles to the east. This breakwater has been built to prevent erosion of the backfilled shoreline where the pipeline was pulled ashore into a prepared trench using two large winches.
Northness and Midness Derelict house of Northness with Midness in the background.
Northness and Midness
Derelict house of Northness with Midness in the background.
Ayres of Swinister The Ayres or shingle bars join the Mainland to the island of Fora Ness. The immediate Ayre is a tombolo, the other two are spits
Ayres of Swinister
The Ayres or shingle bars join the Mainland to the island of Fora Ness. The immediate Ayre is a tombolo, the other two are spits
Work on the Laggan-Tormore pipeline at Firth The Laggan-Tormore gas fields are in about 140km NW of Shetland, with extraction facilities built in waters of about 600m in depth. The gas is going to be piped to a new gas plant at Sullom Voe Terminal. Some product from the gas plant will be exported from the terminal by tanker, but most will be exported via a new pipipeline which will join with the existing FUKA pipeline about 230 km south of Shetland, before eventually arriving at the St Fergus gas plant in NE Scotland. The photo shows construction of the short overland section between Sullom Voe and Mossbank.
Work on the Laggan-Tormore pipeline at Firth
The Laggan-Tormore gas fields are in about 140km NW of Shetland, with extraction facilities built in waters of about 600m in depth. The gas is going to be piped to a new gas plant at Sullom Voe Terminal. Some product from the gas plant will be exported from the terminal by tanker, but most will be exported via a new pipipeline which will join with the existing FUKA pipeline about 230 km south of Shetland, before eventually arriving at the St Fergus gas plant in NE Scotland. The photo shows construction of the short overland section between Sullom Voe and Mossbank.
Work on the Laggan-Tormore pipeline at Firth The Laggan-Tormore gas fields are in about 140km NW of Shetland, with extraction facilities built in waters of about 600m in depth. The gas is going to be piped to a new gas plant at Sullom Voe Terminal. Some product from the gas plant will be exported from the terminal by tanker, but most will be exported via a new pipipeline which will join with the existing FUKA pipeline about 230 km south of Shetland, before eventually arriving at the St Fergus gas plant in NE Scotland. The photo shows construction of the short overland section between Sullom Voe and Mossbank.
Work on the Laggan-Tormore pipeline at Firth
The Laggan-Tormore gas fields are in about 140km NW of Shetland, with extraction facilities built in waters of about 600m in depth. The gas is going to be piped to a new gas plant at Sullom Voe Terminal. Some product from the gas plant will be exported from the terminal by tanker, but most will be exported via a new pipipeline which will join with the existing FUKA pipeline about 230 km south of Shetland, before eventually arriving at the St Fergus gas plant in NE Scotland. The photo shows construction of the short overland section between Sullom Voe and Mossbank.
Work on the Laggan-Tormore pipeline at Firth The orange equipment belongs to the Dutch contractors van Oord. According to their website they are an 'international contractor specialising in dredging, marine engineering and offshore projects'.
Work on the Laggan-Tormore pipeline at Firth
The orange equipment belongs to the Dutch contractors van Oord. According to their website they are an 'international contractor specialising in dredging, marine engineering and offshore projects'.
Work on the Laggan-Tormore pipeline at Firth Work is obviously beginning on taking this short overland section offshore.
Work on the Laggan-Tormore pipeline at Firth
Work is obviously beginning on taking this short overland section offshore.
Line of the Total pipeline at Firth The pipeline was put in to export gas from the fields west of Shetland via Sullom Voe Terminal.
Line of the Total pipeline at Firth
The pipeline was put in to export gas from the fields west of Shetland via Sullom Voe Terminal.
South Ayre, Fora Ness, Dales Voe
South Ayre, Fora Ness, Dales Voe
Ruin on Firth Ness The more southerly ruin facing the islet of Linga.
Ruin on Firth Ness
The more southerly ruin facing the islet of Linga.
Ruin on Firth Ness The more northerly ruin facing Linga. Village of Mossbank in background.
Ruin on Firth Ness
The more northerly ruin facing Linga. Village of Mossbank in background.
Road down to North Ayre
Road down to North Ayre
Mossbank: Delting Disaster Memorial A memorial to the 22 local men who lost their lives on 21 December 1900. Three of the six boats out that day were lost when a sudden hurricane came on in the space of just five minutes.
Mossbank: Delting Disaster Memorial
A memorial to the 22 local men who lost their lives on 21 December 1900. Three of the six boats out that day were lost when a sudden hurricane came on in the space of just five minutes.
Show me another place!

South Ayre is located at Grid Ref: HU4472 (Lat: 60.431009, Lng: -1.1934129)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///october.panting.ballooned. Near Toft, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Booth of Swinister South Ayre The Houb

Related Wikis

Firth, Shetland
Firth, Shetland

Note: "Firth" is a common name for sounds in Shetland Firth is a village in the north east of Mainland, Shetland, Scotland, in the parish of Delting,...

Linga, Yell Sound
Linga, Yell Sound

Linga is one of the Shetland Islands, in Yell Sound. == Geography and geology == Linga is an extremely common name in Shetland, meaning heather island...

Mossbank, Shetland
Mossbank, Shetland

Mossbank is a village in the north east of the Mainland of Shetland, Scotland. Originally served by an inter island ferry steamer from Lerwick, this ceased...

North Mainland
North Mainland

The North Mainland of the Shetland Islands, Scotland is the part of the Mainland lying north of Voe (60° 21′N). == Geography == Notable places in North...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.431009,-1.1934129
The Houb
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 60.4325778/-1.1880684
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Aith Ayre Shetland
Ayre of Breiwick Shetland

Have you been to South Ayre?

Leave your review of South Ayre below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy