Gardrie

Beach in Shetland

Scotland

Gardrie

Gun emplacement at the summit of Score Hill Score Hill is on Aith Ness at the north of Bressay. All previous photos of this spot (they are worth looking at!) show the gun itself. I therefore assumed, wrongly, that it had been removed between 2013 and 2018, which felt like a rather pointless and expensive operation to me.

However, I soon realised that I was wrong. In this photo we are looking almost straight down the gun barrel! (Of course the barrel had been blocked, not that it could have been used in anger anyway.) Apologies to anyone misled by that error.

Immediately ahead are Inner Score and Outer Score, with the tiny channel (Gloup of the Scores) between them. On the horizon beyond them is Whalsay, with the Out Skerries on the right.

David Purchase — Gun emplacement at the summit of Score Hill Credit: Michael Earnshaw

Gardrie Beach is a picturesque and scenic coastal destination located in the Shetland Islands, an archipelago in Scotland. Situated in the village of Gardrie, this sandy beach attracts locals and tourists alike with its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere.

Stretching along the coastline, Gardrie Beach offers stunning views of the North Sea and the surrounding rugged cliffs. The sandy shore gently slopes towards the water, creating a perfect spot for relaxation, sunbathing, and picnicking. The beach is known for its soft golden sand, making it an ideal place for families and beach enthusiasts.

Visitors can enjoy various activities at Gardrie Beach, such as swimming, beachcombing, and exploring the rocky outcrops that dot the shoreline. The crystal-clear waters are relatively calm, making it safe for swimming and paddling, although caution is advised due to the unpredictable nature of the North Sea.

Gardrie Beach is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as it provides an opportunity to spot various seabirds, seals, and occasionally porpoises swimming offshore. The surrounding dunes and grassy areas are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers.

Facilities at Gardrie Beach are limited, with no lifeguards or designated parking areas. However, there are public toilets available nearby, and the village of Gardrie offers a few amenities such as cafes and shops within walking distance.

Overall, Gardrie Beach offers visitors a serene and unspoiled coastal experience, with its natural beauty, gentle waters, and abundant wildlife, making it a must-visit destination for those exploring the Shetland Islands.

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Gardrie Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.178069/-1.1051841 or Grid Reference HU4944. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Gun emplacement at the summit of Score Hill

Score Hill is on Aith Ness at the north of Bressay. All previous photos of this spot (they are worth looking at!) show the gun itself. I therefore assumed, wrongly, that it had been removed between 2013 and 2018, which felt like a rather pointless and expensive operation to me. However, I soon realised that I was wrong. In this photo we are looking almost straight down the gun barrel! (Of course the barrel had been blocked, not that it could have been used in anger anyway.) Apologies to anyone misled by that error. Immediately ahead are Inner Score and Outer Score, with the tiny channel (Gloup of the Scores) between them. On the horizon beyond them is Whalsay, with the Out Skerries on the right. David Purchase

Michael Earnshaw

The summit of the Hill of Setter, Bressay

With the remains of a World War II anti-aircraft battery.

David Purchase

View across Gunnista churchyard to Aith Voe

Gunnista is a little settlement at the north of the island of Bressay. There is a walled churchyard here for the long vanished St Ola's Church. The graveyard contains a notable mausoleum and gravestones many of them quite recent. Beyond the land can be seen the landward end of Aith Voe, an inlet that curls round southeastwards from the north, and beyond that the land is the southern end of Aith Ness. For photographs of the mausoleum and churchyard, see HU5043 : Churchyard and Mausoleum, Gunnista HU5043 : Gunnista Mausoleum

Rob Farrow

Gunnista Mausoleum

This small mausoleum in the churchyard of the now vanished St Ola's Church was built for the Hendersons of Gardie. St Ola's was the parish church for the island of Bressay until the 1720s when a new church was built at Mail on the west of the island. The old church fell into ruin and was demolished. The mausoleum dates from the C18th and may stand where the old church once stood.

Rob Farrow

Churchyard and Mausoleum, Gunnista

The churchyard of the vanished St Ola's church, once the parish church for the island of Bressay contains the Henderson Mausoleum and a number of more recent headstones. Information about the Hendersons of Gardie here Link

Rob Farrow

Inside the Henderson Mausoleum at Gunnista

The rectangular mausoleum in the churchyard of the former St Ola's church at Gunnista was built for the Hendersons of Gardie. see Link

Rob Farrow

A tomb with a view

A view through the eastern window of the Henderson Mausoleum in the churchyard of the long-demolished church of St Ola at Gunnista on Bressay. Through the window can be seen the landward end of Aith Voe. Information on the Henderson family of Gardie here Link

Rob Farrow

Ruin across Aith Voe from Gunnista

Looking across Aith Voe from the churchyard at Gunnista, the ruins of a building which I believe was a factory involved in the herring industry. It has a large concrete "courtyard" in front of it, presumably for dealing with the landed catch. Beyond the ruined building can be glimpsed a little of the small Loch of Aithness. It seems there were several quarries on Aith Ness which I think produced slate.

Rob Farrow