Ayre of Clickimin

Beach in Shetland

Scotland

Ayre of Clickimin

MV Costa Fortuna at anchor in Bressay Sound The size of the MV Costa Fortuna (464 cabins, nine swimming pools and five restaurants) meant that it was obliged to anchor out in the Sound rather than at the quayside in Lerwick. A flotilla of barges were kept busy ferrying passengers to and from the Victoria Pier. The Costa Fortuna is a sister ship to the ill-starred Costa Concordia which sank off the Italian coast in 2012. — MV Costa Fortuna at anchor in Bressay Sound Credit: Oliver Dixon

Ayre of Clickimin is a picturesque beach located in the Shetland Islands, off the northern coast of Scotland. It is situated on the south side of the Clickimin Loch, near the town of Lerwick. This stunning beach attracts visitors from all over the world with its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere.

The beach itself is a long stretch of golden sand, lined with dunes and grassy areas. The crystal-clear waters of the North Sea gently lap at the shore, making it a perfect spot for swimming and paddling. Ayre of Clickimin offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including the nearby Clickimin Broch, an ancient stone tower.

One of the most notable features of Ayre of Clickimin is its wildlife. The beach is a haven for birdwatchers, as it attracts a wide variety of seabirds, including gulls, oystercatchers, and terns. Visitors may also spot seals basking in the sun on the nearby rocks or catch a glimpse of an otter swimming in the shallows.

Ayre of Clickimin is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers opportunities for beachcombing, picnicking, and leisurely walks along the shore. The beach is easily accessible, with ample parking available nearby. Additionally, there are public facilities, such as toilets and a café, making it convenient for visitors to spend a whole day exploring and enjoying the natural beauty of Ayre of Clickimin.

Show me another place!

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

Ayre of Clickimin Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.147609/-1.1596607 or Grid Reference HU4640. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

MV Costa Fortuna at anchor in Bressay Sound

The size of the MV Costa Fortuna (464 cabins, nine swimming pools and five restaurants) meant that it was obliged to anchor out in the Sound rather than at the quayside in Lerwick. A flotilla of barges were kept busy ferrying passengers to and from the Victoria Pier. The Costa Fortuna is a sister ship to the ill-starred Costa Concordia which sank off the Italian coast in 2012.

Oliver Dixon

Pullar's Loch, Sound, from the air

Mike Pennington

Ness of Sound, Lerwick, from the air

Mike Pennington

Small boat off Ness of Sound

Taken from the Knab in Lerwick.

Mike Pennington

MV Knab, Lerwick Pilot Boat

The Lerwick pilot boat, MV Knab, in Bressay Sound.

David Dixon

Skerries on east side of Ness of Sound

The gently dipping Middle Old Red Sandstone of east Mainland produces skerries with a steep side facing the shore of Ness of Sound, and a slope off into the waters of Brei Wick. This makes them easy for seals to haul out on the seaward side, and slide quickly away from the shore if disturbed, though the ones we saw had chosen a boulder beach a little way north where they seemed better camouflaged. Perhaps the less visible ones remained while ones here had already departed before we got to them ! There certainly seeme to be seal heads popping up all along the shore of Brei Wick, watching the people passing by. In the distance in this view is Bressay Sound, overlooked by Lerwick on the left (with the prominent coastguard building on the hilltop) and Bressay on the right.

Andy Waddington

Voe of Sound

This is the low western side of Ness of Sound, with no cliffs and a short drop to the bouldery beach overlooking Voe of Sound. Although the Voe is not very wide, and doesn't have much in the way of waves even in the fresh gusty wind, it is clear that it can get a lot rougher. Much of the shoreline vegetation was blackened by dehydration caused by the salt spray which blows over - anything brave enough to stick up above the surrounding grasses seemed badly affected, particularly the nettles. To the left (west) of Sands of Sound, the green lump is Holm of Sound, behind which are the houses of Sound and Upper Sound (now westerly suburbs of Lerwick).

Andy Waddington