Brei Geo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Brei Geo

Fogla Skerry and Lyra Stack, Papa Stour, from Huxter, Sandness Credit: Mike Pennington

Brei Geo is a prominent coastal feature located in the Shetland Islands, which are part of Scotland. It is specifically situated on the west coast of the island of Mainland, near the settlement of Walls. Brei Geo is primarily characterized as a headland, also referred to as a point, due to its protrusion into the surrounding sea.

This coastal feature stands out due to its rugged and rocky terrain, with steep cliffs that plunge into the cold North Atlantic Ocean. These cliffs are composed of various types of sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone and shale, which have been shaped and eroded by the relentless action of the waves over centuries.

Brei Geo offers breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline and the open sea. It is also known for its rich biodiversity, as it serves as a habitat for numerous bird species, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Visitors to Brei Geo may have the opportunity to observe these birds nesting on the cliffs during the breeding season.

In addition to its natural beauty, Brei Geo has historical significance as well. The area surrounding the headland is dotted with archaeological sites, including ancient settlements and standing stones. These remnants of the past provide insight into the island's human history and offer visitors a glimpse into the lives of its early inhabitants.

Overall, Brei Geo is a captivating coastal feature in Shetland, known for its dramatic cliffs, diverse birdlife, and historical significance. It attracts nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and those seeking awe-inspiring views of the rugged Shetland coastline.

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Brei Geo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.323926/-1.7221648 or Grid Reference HU1560. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fogla Skerry and Lyra Stack, Papa Stour, from Huxter, Sandness

Mike Pennington

Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness

Mike Pennington

Aesha Head

One of the many fine stretches of coast on Papa Stours, Aesha Head is the furthest west point of the main island, though there are various smaller islands and skerries beyond.

Anne Burgess

Natural Arch, Aesha Head

This is a closer view of the fine arch in Aesha Head, with a glimpse of Lyra Skerry beyond.

Anne Burgess

Kirstan's Hole

Actually, it isn't the Kirstan's Hole (or Christie's Hole) shown on the maps, but a second hole which opened suddenly a few years ago, where previously there had been a depression in the ground, into the same sea-cave system as the original Kirstan's Hole.

Anne Burgess

Plantiecrub near Flaes Point

A plantiecrub is a small walled enclosure in which cabbage seedlings are grown until they are big enough to plant out in croft gardens. They are usually built well away from the croft to protect the seedlings against the crofters' hens.

Anne Burgess

Ruined Meal Mills

Several traditional mills straddle this little burn. Inside the building was a fixed lower millstone, and a rotating upper millstone driven by the water falling on to the paddles below, which were mounted at 45º to the vertical drive shaft.

Anne Burgess

The Loch that Ebbs and Flows

The interior of Papa Stour is mainly moorland, though there are several lochans in the central part. This one's curious name reflects its closeness to the sea, from which it is cut off only by an ayre or shingle spit.

Anne Burgess

View towards Papa Stour Airstrip

The cleared and smoothed ground in the upper right of the image is the airstrip for Papa Stour which is located in HU1759.

Doug Lee

Remains of Observation Post

The concrete and iron are the only remains of a World War Two observation post that used to stand here. As can be seen from the image, in good visibility this location provides an excellent view of the surrounding area.

Doug Lee

Unnamed Sea Stack Off Breigeo Head, Papa Stour (Big Isle of the Priests)

At less than 20 metres high this little stack is not as impressive as it's compatriots such as a little down the coast HU1461, but facing out onto the North Atlantic the situation is wild and imposing. As with most sea stacks, this has probably formed and survived through being constituted from rock that is more solid and stable than that washed out from around them. In many cases this results in providing ideal rock climbing routes in spectacular locations. In this case, the rock visible in this image is of a good solid nature but as can be seen more clearly in HU1560 : The problem with sea stacks... it is overhanging and in addition lacks much in the way of cracks in which to place rock climbing protection. Taken together these would make this an extremely difficult climb even if top roped. The side of the stack facing away to the right of the image is also overhanging, albeit to a lesser extent, but the rock is somewhat green and slimy making it an unattractive ascent route. Gaining access to the stack also presents some problems. The water foaming around the stack prevents easy access by boat and even on a comparatively calm day such as that pictured here would make swimming to the stack a highly dangerous exercise. The first visit to the top of the stack recorded by climbers is shown in the image HU1560 : The problem with sea stacks.... For this, the only viable route to the stack was by Tyrolean traverse.

Doug Lee

The problem with sea stacks...

The problem with sea stacks is how to get to them. The sea conditions at the base of this one pretty much eliminate the possibilities of swimming. One workable technique used here was to string a 100m abseil rope across the geo laying the rope on the top of the stack. The rope can then be used for a tyrolean traverse to get over to the stack and back from it.

Doug Lee

Plastic beach

The beach had a depressingly large amount of plastic waste which had been washed up onto it. This largely comprised plastic bottles , footwear, floats/buoys etc. Most identifyable items originated in the UK, but a large subset were from Spain, Norway and Iceland. This latter set probably represents the boats fishing in these waters and the manufacturers supplying those boats.

Doug Lee