Craigie Stane

Beach in Shetland

Scotland

Craigie Stane

The Bight of Ham Small bay on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay. — The Bight of Ham Credit: Oliver Dixon

Craigie Stane is a remarkable beach located on the Shetland Islands, an archipelago in the far north of Scotland. Situated on the west coast of the main island, Mainland, Craigie Stane is renowned for its natural beauty and historical significance.

The beach stretches for approximately one kilometer, featuring a combination of fine sand and pebbles. The turquoise waters of the North Sea lap gently against the shore, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere. The beach is surrounded by stunning cliffs, providing a picturesque backdrop for visitors.

One of the most striking features of Craigie Stane is the large stone monolith after which it is named. The Craigie Stane stands tall at the edge of the beach, measuring over four meters in height. This ancient standing stone is believed to have been erected during the Neolithic period, around 5,000 years ago, making it an important archaeological site.

The beach offers a range of activities for visitors to enjoy. It is a popular spot for beachcombing, with an abundance of seashells and other treasures to discover. The clear waters also attract snorkelers and divers, who can explore the marine life thriving beneath the surface. The surrounding cliffs provide opportunities for hiking and birdwatching, with several species of seabirds nesting in the area.

Access to Craigie Stane is relatively easy, with a car park located nearby, and it is also possible to reach the beach by foot from the nearby village of Walls. The beach is a true gem, combining natural beauty with a rich historical heritage, making it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists visiting the Shetland Islands.

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Craigie Stane Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.152808/-1.1387963 or Grid Reference HU4741. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Bight of Ham

Small bay on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay.

Oliver Dixon

House at the Taing of Ham

Oliver Dixon

Ham Peninsula on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay. Across the water are houses on the Ness of Sound <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU4639">HU4639</a> on Shetland Mainland.

Ham

Peninsula on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay. Across the water are houses on the Ness of Sound HU4639 on Shetland Mainland.

Oliver Dixon

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

Coastal Farm, Bressay

David Dixon

Bressay, House at Ham

David Dixon

MV Knab, Lerwick Pilot Boat

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

David Dixon

Ham

Coastal settlement on Bressay.

David Dixon

Cro of Ham

David Dixon

Light Beacon

White construction, Cro of Ham on Bressay, containing a light beacon, that anyone who has ever taken the Lerwick-Aberdeen Ferry, must have seen when entering/leaving Lerwick Harbour. Across Bressay Sound you see South Ness Cemetery.

Vanhercke Christiaan