Ayre of Gruting

Beach in Shetland

Scotland

Ayre of Gruting

Fetlar Gardens On Fetlar, sheep are everywhere - so vegetables were grown inside these little &#039;walled gardens&#039; to protect them from the sheep. — Fetlar Gardens Credit: Anne Burgess

Ayre of Gruting is a picturesque beach located on the west coast of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. Nestled amidst stunning natural landscapes, this beach offers visitors a true taste of the unspoiled beauty of the region. With its pristine sandy shores and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Ayre of Gruting is a haven for nature lovers and beach enthusiasts.

The beach is situated within a small bay, sheltered by rugged cliffs on either side, providing a sense of seclusion and tranquility. The sand is soft and inviting, perfect for leisurely walks or sunbathing on warm days. The shallow waters are also ideal for swimming or paddling, making it a great spot for families with young children.

Ayre of Gruting is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to various species of seabirds, making it a popular spot for birdwatching. Visitors can spot numerous seabirds such as puffins, guillemots, and oystercatchers along the shoreline or nesting on the cliffs.

The beach is easily accessible, with a small car park nearby, and a short walk down a well-maintained path leading to the shore. There are no facilities directly on the beach, so visitors are advised to bring their own food and drinks. However, nearby villages offer amenities such as cafes, restaurants, and accommodations.

For those seeking a peaceful and idyllic coastal experience, Ayre of Gruting is the perfect destination. Its natural beauty, combined with its tranquility and diverse wildlife, make it a hidden gem in the Shetland Islands, waiting to be explored and appreciated by visitors from near and far.

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Ayre of Gruting Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.600437/-0.8125555 or Grid Reference HU6591. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fetlar Gardens

On Fetlar, sheep are everywhere - so vegetables were grown inside these little 'walled gardens' to protect them from the sheep.

Anne Burgess

Burn flowing into Wick of Aith, Fetlar

Tom Pennington

Rain Geese on Loch of Funzie, Fetlar

Rain Goose is the local name for Red-throated Diver (Gavia stellata).

Mike Pennington

Aithbank, Fetlar

The house has since been refurbished as a camping booth.

Mike Pennington

The Mires of Fundy - RSPB Reserve

The view from the hide at the Mires of Fundy. All quiet on a sunny Spring evening although the red-necked phalaropes were thought to be resident.

Julian Paren

Loch of Funzie exhortation

A bird watcher was incensed having seen a Fetlar islander go fishing in his waders for trout in this section of Loch of Funzie. And despite the notice!! All for the protection of red-necked phalaropes, a bird uncommon in the UK but not so worldwide.

Julian Paren

Loch of Funzie

Mike Pennington

Unsurfaced track

View along the non surfaced track near Aithbank.

Mat Tuck

Loch of Funzie

View of the Loch of Funzie

Mat Tuck

Lambs playing in the road

Hand made road warning sign, "Lambs playing in the road".

Mat Tuck

Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina), Wick of Aith

Mike Pennington

Flat Periwinkle (Littorina obtusata), Wick of Aith

Mike Pennington

Line of planticrubs

Anyone familiar with the landscape of northern England or Scotland will assume first of all that these are drystone sheep fanks but actually they are planticrubs, probably unique to Shetland. This was the only place I saw a whole row of them. Planticrubs were built to shelter kale seedlings from the wind so serve as primitive greenhouses.

Mark Stockdale