Vats-houll Voe

Sea, Estuary, Creek in Shetland

Scotland

Vats-houll Voe

Loch Isbister
Loch Isbister Credit: David Purchase

Vats-houll Voe is a picturesque coastal inlet located in the Shetland Islands, an archipelago in Scotland. This natural feature is a sea loch, also referred to as an estuary or creek, and is situated on the west coast of the mainland Shetland. The name "Vats-houll Voe" is derived from Old Norse and translates to "the bay of the house at the water-filled hollow."

The Voe stretches approximately 2.5 miles inland and is surrounded by rolling hills and rocky cliffs, creating a stunning backdrop. The water in the Voe is a mix of seawater and freshwater, as it is influenced by both the North Atlantic Ocean and nearby freshwater streams. This blend of waters creates a unique ecosystem that supports a rich variety of marine life.

The Voe is known for its diverse wildlife, including seals, otters, and various bird species such as puffins, gannets, and oystercatchers. Additionally, the surrounding area is home to several important seabird colonies, making it a popular destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.

The Vats-houll Voe is also a significant location for boating and fishing activities. Its sheltered waters provide a safe haven for small boats, and the area is frequented by anglers who come to fish for salmon, trout, and other species that inhabit the Voe.

Overall, Vats-houll Voe is a stunning natural feature that offers breathtaking views, diverse wildlife, and recreational opportunities for visitors to the Shetland Islands.

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Vats-houll Voe Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.373041/-0.97191221 or Grid Reference HU5665. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Loch Isbister
Loch Isbister
The Houll, Whalsay Probably usually very damp.
The Houll, Whalsay
Probably usually very damp.
Country near Skaw, Whalsay
Country near Skaw, Whalsay
West Loch of Skaw, Whalsay
West Loch of Skaw, Whalsay
Loch Vats-houll, Whalsay
Loch Vats-houll, Whalsay
The west shore of Loch Vats-houll, Whalsay
The west shore of Loch Vats-houll, Whalsay
Whalsay Kirk and graveyard The Kirk stands on Kirk Ness, a small islet joined to Whalsay by one of Shetland's splendid tombolas. Though actually I think this one has needed a bit of protection from time to time.
Whalsay Kirk and graveyard
The Kirk stands on Kirk Ness, a small islet joined to Whalsay by one of Shetland's splendid tombolas. Though actually I think this one has needed a bit of protection from time to time.
Houb and Suther Ness, Whalsay Suther Ness, with its beacon, is connected to the mainland of Whalsay. But you can't walk there direct from here, you have to approach from the left. Houb (on the left) would, I imagine, make a fine natural harbour were it not for the fact that the channel ahead which prevents a direct approach to Suther Ness is too shallow for all but the smallest craft (such as the little one seen here).
Houb and Suther Ness, Whalsay
Suther Ness, with its beacon, is connected to the mainland of Whalsay. But you can't walk there direct from here, you have to approach from the left. Houb (on the left) would, I imagine, make a fine natural harbour were it not for the fact that the channel ahead which prevents a direct approach to Suther Ness is too shallow for all but the smallest craft (such as the little one seen here).
The road to Brough, Whalsay
The road to Brough, Whalsay
Kirk Ness View from Kick Ness
Kirk Ness
View from Kick Ness
West Loch of Skaw West Loch of Skaw on Whalsay
West Loch of Skaw
West Loch of Skaw on Whalsay
Chambered Cairn Chambered Cairn & Cyst (north end), Pettigarths Field, Mid Breck, Whalsay.
Skaw (Taing) in the distance.
Chambered Cairn
Chambered Cairn & Cyst (north end), Pettigarths Field, Mid Breck, Whalsay. Skaw (Taing) in the distance.
West Loch of Skaw We had a picnic on the shore here. Very pleasant. Shetland's lack of midges should be made a lot more of by the tourist people.
West Loch of Skaw
We had a picnic on the shore here. Very pleasant. Shetland's lack of midges should be made a lot more of by the tourist people.
By the West Loch of Skaw These little round enclosures are everywhere. I had no idea what they were for, so thanks to Oliver Dixon for putting me right. <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3584966">HU5866 : Planticrubs on the shores of the West Loch of Skaw</a>
Planticrub. What a wonderful word. Much better than "kale growing enclosure." I shall endeavour to use it wherever possible.
By the West Loch of Skaw
These little round enclosures are everywhere. I had no idea what they were for, so thanks to Oliver Dixon for putting me right. HU5866 : Planticrubs on the shores of the West Loch of Skaw Planticrub. What a wonderful word. Much better than "kale growing enclosure." I shall endeavour to use it wherever possible.
The Road to Skaw About another kilometre to go until this road stops at the north end of the island.
The Road to Skaw
About another kilometre to go until this road stops at the north end of the island.
Pond near the Standing Stones A small pond in an old peat digging, one of the few features apart from the nearby antiquities, in this wide landscape.
Pond near the Standing Stones
A small pond in an old peat digging, one of the few features apart from the nearby antiquities, in this wide landscape.
Benie Hoose One of several antiquities on this Neolithic / Bronze Age site. There is a Wikipedia page which goes on about druids and stuff, but this article  <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1309/whalsay-benie-hoose" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/1309/whalsay-benie-hoose">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> seems to favour the more likely idea that it was just a farm house.
The oblong pile of rocks beyond looks recent.
Benie Hoose
One of several antiquities on this Neolithic / Bronze Age site. There is a Wikipedia page which goes on about druids and stuff, but this article LinkExternal link seems to favour the more likely idea that it was just a farm house. The oblong pile of rocks beyond looks recent.
Fence Corner, Mid Breck We decided we would get to the Standing Stones of Yoxie by going over the hill rather than round the coast. The going is mostly like this but it gets a bit boggy over the other side just uphill from the stones. Follow this fence line up the hill from here till you get to the top, and you'll see the stones (if it's a nice day)
Fence Corner, Mid Breck
We decided we would get to the Standing Stones of Yoxie by going over the hill rather than round the coast. The going is mostly like this but it gets a bit boggy over the other side just uphill from the stones. Follow this fence line up the hill from here till you get to the top, and you'll see the stones (if it's a nice day)
Show me another place!

Vats-houll Voe is located at Grid Ref: HU5665 (Lat: 60.373041, Lng: -0.97191221)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///lordship.grinning.fetches. Near Symbister, Shetland Islands

Related Wikis

Vats-houll

Vats-houll is a settlement in northwestern Whalsay in the parish of Nesting in the Shetland islands of Scotland. The village overlooks the loch of the...

Challister

Challister is a crofting township and ward in northwestern Whalsay in the parish of Nesting in the Shetland islands of Scotland. Loch Vats-houll is in...

Vaivoe

Vaivoe is a hamlet in the northwestern Whalsay in the parish of Nesting in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. It overlooks the bay of Vai Voe, just to the...

West Loch of Skaw

West Loch of Skaw is a loch of northern-central Whalsay, Shetland Islands, Scotland, to the southwest of the village of Skaw, Whalsay. == References ==

Whalsay Parish Church

Whalsay Parish Church or Whalsay Kirk is a Church of Scotland parish church on the island of Whalsay, Shetland Islands, Scotland. It lies to the north...

Brough, Shetland

Brough is a settlement in western Whalsay in the parish of Nesting in the Shetland islands of Scotland. It lies to the southwest of Challister, northeast...

Pettigarths Field Cairns

The Pettigarths Field Cairns is a Neolithic site in the parish of Nesting, northeastern Whalsay, in the Shetland islands of Scotland. It is located approximately...

Loch of Isbister

Loch of Isbister is a loch of Whalsay, Shetland Islands, Scotland, located on the northern side of Isbister on the eastern side of the island. == References ==

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.373041,-0.97191221
Vats-houll
Is In: Shetland
Place: hamlet
Source: OS_OpenData_StreetView
Lat/Long: 60.3726463/-0.9685722
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 60.3742206/-0.9637454
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3744554/-0.9643697
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3741966/-0.9656899
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3739446/-0.9669322
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3736679/-0.9683137
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3734008/-0.9696645
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3729313/-0.9702828
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3723419/-0.9710738
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3727536/-0.9696394
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3729078/-0.9689013
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3730469/-0.9682273
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3719013/-0.9716504
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3714497/-0.9722464
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3708892/-0.9729817
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.370315/-0.9737477
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.369694/-0.9745638
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3692148/-0.9751905
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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