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Redbeard

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Redbeard

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

Redbeard is a prominent coastal feature located in the Shetland Islands, which are situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland. Specifically, Redbeard is a headland or point that juts out into the vast expanse of the North Sea. It is positioned on the western side of the Shetland Mainland, the largest island in the archipelago.

The name "Redbeard" is derived from the appearance of the headland's cliffs, which exhibit a reddish hue due to the presence of iron-oxide minerals. These cliffs are characterized by their steepness, rising dramatically from the sea and reaching heights of approximately 100 meters (330 feet) in some areas. The rugged nature of the terrain attracts numerous seabird species, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills, which nest in crevices along the cliffs.

Redbeard offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and the vast North Sea. On clear days, visitors can see the distant Shetland Islands, as well as the nearby headlands and cliffs that line the coastline. The headland also serves as an excellent vantage point for observing marine wildlife, such as seals and dolphins, which are often spotted swimming in the waters below.

Access to Redbeard is relatively easy, with a well-maintained footpath leading from a nearby car park to the headland. The footpath allows visitors to explore the area safely while taking in the stunning natural beauty of the Shetland Islands. Redbeard is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers, offering a unique and unforgettable experience of Scotland's coastal landscapes.

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Redbeard Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.3441/-1.7217036 or Grid Reference HU1562. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fogla Skerry and Lyra Stack, Papa Stour, from Huxter, Sandness
Fogla Skerry and Lyra Stack, Papa Stour, from Huxter, Sandness
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.
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.
Natural Arch, Aesha Head This is a closer view of the fine arch in Aesha Head, with a glimpse of Lyra Skerry beyond.
Natural Arch, Aesha Head
This is a closer view of the fine arch in Aesha Head, with a glimpse of Lyra Skerry beyond.
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.
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.
Storm Beach These boulders, thrown up by the waves to form a storm beach 30 metres above the sea, demonstrate the power of the seas which pound the exposed north side of Papa Stour
Storm Beach
These boulders, thrown up by the waves to form a storm beach 30 metres above the sea, demonstrate the power of the seas which pound the exposed north side of Papa Stour
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lang Geo One of the many inlets typical of the north coast of Papa Stour.
Lang Geo
One of the many inlets typical of the north coast of Papa Stour.
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.
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.
Natural Arch by Sholma Wick The map marks this as a Natural Arch - one of many arches, subterranean passages or caves to be found on the island.
Natural Arch by Sholma Wick
The map marks this as a Natural Arch - one of many arches, subterranean passages or caves to be found on the island.
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.
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.
Plastic Beach A further selection of the plastic contamination in this area.
Plastic Beach
A further selection of the plastic contamination in this area.
Snolda Sea Stack
Snolda Sea Stack
Lyra Stack Lyra Stack lies just to the south of Lyra Skerry which is the land in the right half of this image.
Lyra Stack
Lyra Stack lies just to the south of Lyra Skerry which is the land in the right half of this image.
Ruined meal mill The image shows the rear of one of the two mills at this location. The image was taken from channel, now waterless, which fed water into the mill.
Ruined meal mill
The image shows the rear of one of the two mills at this location. The image was taken from channel, now waterless, which fed water into the mill.
Ruined mill The image shows a view of the front of the mill shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/799075">HU1660 : Ruined meal mill</a>.
Ruined mill
The image shows a view of the front of the mill shown in HU1660 : Ruined meal mill.
Summit shelter The well constructed circular stone wall surrounds the triangulation pillar at the highest point on Papa Stour. The wall provides excellent shelter from the inevitable Atlantic winds.
Summit shelter
The well constructed circular stone wall surrounds the triangulation pillar at the highest point on Papa Stour. The wall provides excellent shelter from the inevitable Atlantic winds.
Ruined mill complete with stream This side of the island has many disused mills, all situated on the outflows of the few sizeable lochans found here. This mill, unique amongst those that I observed, still has some water running through it - all others appear to have had the channels blocked off at some point. It should be noted that most of the usable arable land is/was on the other side of the island. The mills have been located on this northwest side of the island presumably to be close to the supplies of water.
Ruined mill complete with stream
This side of the island has many disused mills, all situated on the outflows of the few sizeable lochans found here. This mill, unique amongst those that I observed, still has some water running through it - all others appear to have had the channels blocked off at some point. It should be noted that most of the usable arable land is/was on the other side of the island. The mills have been located on this northwest side of the island presumably to be close to the supplies of water.
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Redbeard is located at Grid Ref: HU1562 (Lat: 60.3441, Lng: -1.7217036)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///grub.initiates.handover. Near Walls, Shetland Islands

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