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Otter Hadd

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Otter Hadd

Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness
Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness Credit: Mike Pennington

Otter Hadd is a prominent coastal feature located in the Shetland Islands, off the northern coast of Scotland. It is classified as a headland, specifically a point, due to its narrow and elongated shape that juts out into the North Sea. The headland is situated on the eastern side of Shetland, near the village of Sandwick.

Otter Hadd is characterized by its rugged and rocky terrain, with steep cliffs that provide breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The headland is known for its diverse wildlife, and it serves as an important breeding ground for various seabird species, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Visitors can often observe these birds nesting and fishing along the headland's cliffs.

The coastal feature is also home to a diverse range of marine life, such as seals and otters, which are commonly spotted swimming and basking in the nearby waters. The area surrounding Otter Hadd is rich in kelp forests and other marine vegetation, providing essential habitats for a variety of fish and invertebrates.

Due to its exposed location, Otter Hadd is subject to strong ocean currents and powerful waves, making it a popular spot for surfers and other water sports enthusiasts. However, caution is advised due to the potentially hazardous conditions.

In addition to its natural beauty, Otter Hadd offers visitors the opportunity to explore the historic and cultural heritage of the Shetland Islands. Nearby, there are archaeological sites and ancient ruins that provide insights into the region's rich history.

Overall, Otter Hadd is a stunning coastal feature that showcases the rugged beauty of the Shetland Islands, while also providing a haven for diverse wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts.

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Otter Hadd Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.332132/-1.6893709 or Grid Reference HU1760. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness
Papa Stour from Huxter, Sandness
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
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.
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.
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.
Hurdibrack The last stretch of the footpath back from the west side of the island. In the middle distance is the wall which crosses the entire island, separating the arable land in the east from the pasture to the west.
Hurdibrack
The last stretch of the footpath back from the west side of the island. In the middle distance is the wall which crosses the entire island, separating the arable land in the east from the pasture to the west.
The Wall This is the wall which cuts across the whole island. The west side (left) has a steep face to prevent animals climbing over it. The east (right) side has a sloping face so that any animals which have managed to cross it can easily be driven back on to the pasture land.
The Wall
This is the wall which cuts across the whole island. The west side (left) has a steep face to prevent animals climbing over it. The east (right) side has a sloping face so that any animals which have managed to cross it can easily be driven back on to the pasture land.
Robie's Noust This is a very dull shot of a square which would certainly have yielded a more interesting image if we had had time to explore it before the ferry left.
Robie's Noust
This is a very dull shot of a square which would certainly have yielded a more interesting image if we had had time to explore it before the ferry left.
The Dales As with the next-door square, HU1861 would certainly have yielded a more interesting shot if we had not had to rush to catch the ferry!
The Dales
As with the next-door square, HU1861 would certainly have yielded a more interesting shot if we had not had to rush to catch the ferry!
Papa Stour Pier and Ferry The ferry runs regularly but infrequently, so that day trips to the island are only possible on Fridays or Saturdays.
Papa Stour Pier and Ferry
The ferry runs regularly but infrequently, so that day trips to the island are only possible on Fridays or Saturdays.
Ruined House
Ruined House
Ruined house The number of ruined buildings on the island seem to far outnumber those still habitable or used.
Ruined house
The number of ruined buildings on the island seem to far outnumber those still habitable or used.
Road and ruins This is the main road for the island. Even this close to the pier the ruins of abandoned crofts can be found just off the road.
Road and ruins
This is the main road for the island. Even this close to the pier the ruins of abandoned crofts can be found just off the road.
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 <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU1759">HU1759</a>.
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.
Rocky coastline
Rocky coastline
View from North Ness The view here is from North Ness towards the highest point on the island. The ground shown in the foreground is typical of this rather barren area.
View from North Ness
The view here is from North Ness towards the highest point on the island. The ground shown in the foreground is typical of this rather barren area.
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Otter Hadd is located at Grid Ref: HU1760 (Lat: 60.332132, Lng: -1.6893709)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///ramps.ahead.november. Near Walls, Shetland Islands

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Biggings Skeo Taing Hesti Geo West Ayre Hill of Olligarth Ollamoor Loch

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.332132,-1.6893709
Barrier: cattle_grid
Lat/Long: 60.330661/-1.6816115
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3299063/-1.6955275
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3293131/-1.6945745
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3287691/-1.6937046
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3282121/-1.6927563
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.32807/-1.6915963
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3279307/-1.690329
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.3277685/-1.6888762
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Hesti Geo Shetland
Runkie Head Shetland

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