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Scarf Hole

Sea, Estuary, Creek in Shetland

Scotland

Scarf Hole

Swarta Skerry, Noss, Spiggie, from the air
Swarta Skerry, Noss, Spiggie, from the air Credit: Mike Pennington

Scarf Hole is a small coastal inlet located in the Shetland Islands, an archipelago located off the northeastern coast of Scotland. Situated on the east coast of the mainland, Scarf Hole is known for its picturesque beauty and tranquil atmosphere.

The inlet is formed by the confluence of a sea, estuary, and creek, making it a unique and diverse ecosystem. The sea waters from the North Sea flow into Scarf Hole, mixing with the freshwater from the surrounding estuary and creek. This creates a rich and fertile habitat for a variety of marine and plant life.

The area surrounding Scarf Hole is characterized by rocky cliffs and sandy beaches, providing a diverse landscape for visitors to explore. The waters of Scarf Hole are teeming with marine life, including various species of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Seals and seabirds can also be spotted in the area, adding to its natural charm.

Scarf Hole is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The calm waters of the inlet make it an ideal spot for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife watching. The surrounding coastal paths offer breathtaking views of the inlet and the surrounding landscape, making it a haven for hikers and photographers.

Overall, Scarf Hole in Shetland is a hidden gem, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and experience the unique blend of sea, estuary, and creek ecosystems.

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Scarf Hole Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.914148/-1.3832824 or Grid Reference HU3414. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Swarta Skerry, Noss, Spiggie, from the air
Swarta Skerry, Noss, Spiggie, from the air
The Nev, Fitful Head, from the air With a view to Ward of Scousburgh
The Nev, Fitful Head, from the air
With a view to Ward of Scousburgh
Fitful Head from the air
Fitful Head from the air
The Ords, Fitful Head
The Ords, Fitful Head
Cliffs at The Nev, north of Fitful Head
Cliffs at The Nev, north of Fitful Head
The bend in the track There is a well-graded track up to the communications masts on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive up, but it is an easy walk from Quendale. At this point, there is a sharp bend. Coming down, I certainly would not want to lose control here, or miss the turn in mist. The consequences are pretty clear! I think that the rocks just left of centre must be Swarta Skerry, in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU3415">HU3415</a>.
The bend in the track
There is a well-graded track up to the communications masts on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive up, but it is an easy walk from Quendale. At this point, there is a sharp bend. Coming down, I certainly would not want to lose control here, or miss the turn in mist. The consequences are pretty clear! I think that the rocks just left of centre must be Swarta Skerry, in HU3415.
The track from Fitful Head A well-graded track serves the communications station on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive, but it gives an easy walk. This is looking back downhill towards Quendale.
The track from Fitful Head
A well-graded track serves the communications station on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive, but it gives an easy walk. This is looking back downhill towards Quendale.
The track from Fitful Head Looking east towards Gord Farm and Quendale. The public are not allowed to drive up this track, which is used by engineers servicing the masts on Fitful Head. But it makes for a very easy walk to this 283m high hill.
The track from Fitful Head
Looking east towards Gord Farm and Quendale. The public are not allowed to drive up this track, which is used by engineers servicing the masts on Fitful Head. But it makes for a very easy walk to this 283m high hill.
Fitful Head: view from a few miles east Looking out from the Northlink ferry to Aberdeen as cloud covers Fitful Head on a beautiful sunny evening.
Fitful Head: view from a few miles east
Looking out from the Northlink ferry to Aberdeen as cloud covers Fitful Head on a beautiful sunny evening.
Mystery Feature An absolute mystery when first located, but close investigation revealed its identity. It turns out to be a Protective Wall for a Target Zone on an old disused firing range (some evidence here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622204">HU3513 : Blitzed Target Zone</a>. It faces another Target Zone (down-range) about 450 metres away; see - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622226">HU3613 : Unmarked Feature</a>. The platform (maybe planks) on which the targets stood, is missing.
Mystery Feature
An absolute mystery when first located, but close investigation revealed its identity. It turns out to be a Protective Wall for a Target Zone on an old disused firing range (some evidence here HU3513 : Blitzed Target Zone. It faces another Target Zone (down-range) about 450 metres away; see - HU3613 : Unmarked Feature. The platform (maybe planks) on which the targets stood, is missing.
Fire Wall This is the protective wall at a Target Zone on an old disused firing range. There are no names, nor designations, on the map, nor references (that I could find) on the Internet. Looking from this protective wall, across the valley, one can see another obvious Target Zone <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622226">HU3613 : Unmarked Feature</a> - centre and to the right of the quarry. This Fire Wall but not the Target Zone is shown on the OS map.
Fire Wall
This is the protective wall at a Target Zone on an old disused firing range. There are no names, nor designations, on the map, nor references (that I could find) on the Internet. Looking from this protective wall, across the valley, one can see another obvious Target Zone HU3613 : Unmarked Feature - centre and to the right of the quarry. This Fire Wall but not the Target Zone is shown on the OS map.
Blitzed Target Zone The front edge of the protective wall, behind which, on a raised platform I assume, targets stood. The 'blitzing' suggests that a lot of 'incoming fire' had raked the wall, as the rear edges and the protected front ones appear as sharp as new. The whole area must have been used for weapon training.
Blitzed Target Zone
The front edge of the protective wall, behind which, on a raised platform I assume, targets stood. The 'blitzing' suggests that a lot of 'incoming fire' had raked the wall, as the rear edges and the protected front ones appear as sharp as new. The whole area must have been used for weapon training.
Unmarked Feature In the field I could find no direct evidence on the OS maps for such an obvious feature (unlike the one mentioned below). A later desktop search found a small trace-mark on the larger-scale maps. It is the sheltered Target Zone on a rifle range and linked to - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622169">HU3513 : Mystery Feature</a>.
Unmarked Feature
In the field I could find no direct evidence on the OS maps for such an obvious feature (unlike the one mentioned below). A later desktop search found a small trace-mark on the larger-scale maps. It is the sheltered Target Zone on a rifle range and linked to - HU3513 : Mystery Feature.
Claypotts A row of tiny derelict 'cells'. Reminiscent of quarrymen's barracks I have seen elsewhere. Very neat layout about five rooms, all identical.
Claypotts
A row of tiny derelict 'cells'. Reminiscent of quarrymen's barracks I have seen elsewhere. Very neat layout about five rooms, all identical.
Target Zone This is the target housing for an old and disused firing range. See here for a very similar one <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/142419">SX7573 : Rippon Tor rifle range</a> It is directly related to another target zone here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622169">HU3513 : Mystery Feature</a>. Amazingly all the mechanism for raising torso-sized targets into position is still ready for use (though of course, very rusty). Even the torso shapes are waiting in the little hut <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2626900">HU3613 : Torsos and Flag</a>. Surprisingly, this whole feature does not seem to appear on the OS maps.
Target Zone
This is the target housing for an old and disused firing range. See here for a very similar one SX7573 : Rippon Tor rifle range It is directly related to another target zone here HU3513 : Mystery Feature. Amazingly all the mechanism for raising torso-sized targets into position is still ready for use (though of course, very rusty). Even the torso shapes are waiting in the little hut HU3613 : Torsos and Flag. Surprisingly, this whole feature does not seem to appear on the OS maps.
Target Raising Mechanism Closer inspection of the mechanism <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2623685">HU3613 : Target Zone</a> shows it is still intact but not, of course, usable. Protected by a huge bank and a concrete wall, it is here that target riggers spent their on-range time, raising and lowering torso-shaped targets <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2626900">HU3613 : Torsos and Flag</a>
Target Raising Mechanism
Closer inspection of the mechanism HU3613 : Target Zone shows it is still intact but not, of course, usable. Protected by a huge bank and a concrete wall, it is here that target riggers spent their on-range time, raising and lowering torso-shaped targets HU3613 : Torsos and Flag
The Dee of Scrod Spring With a name like that, a description is unnecessary!
The Dee of Scrod Spring
With a name like that, a description is unnecessary!
Livestock Management Facility Probably a sheep dip in there but they are no longer allowed near water courses.
Livestock Management Facility
Probably a sheep dip in there but they are no longer allowed near water courses.
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Scarf Hole is located at Grid Ref: HU3414 (Lat: 59.914148, Lng: -1.3832824)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///chase.kettles.feasting. Near Sumburgh, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

The Kame Scarf Hole The Nev Outer Sillock Runick of Vaadsgill Hats of Bergilee

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