1. Home
  2. Scotland
  3. Highlands and Islands
  4. Shetland Islands
  5. Shetland
  6. Whal Horn

Whal Horn

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Whal Horn

Fish farm in Ronas Voe from Heylor
Fish farm in Ronas Voe from Heylor Credit: Mike Pennington

Whal Horn is a prominent coastal feature located in the Shetland Islands, which are situated off the northern coast of Scotland. It is a headland that juts out into the North Sea, forming a distinctive point along the rugged coastline of Shetland.

Rising to an elevation of approximately 50 meters (164 feet) above sea level, Whal Horn offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding seascape. The headland is characterized by steep cliffs, battered by the relentless waves and winds of the North Sea. These cliffs provide nesting grounds for various seabird species, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. The area is also home to a diverse range of plant life, with hardy coastal vegetation clinging to the rocky slopes.

Whal Horn is known for its historical significance, as it has served as a navigational landmark for centuries. Its prominent position has made it a crucial reference point for sailors and fishermen traversing the treacherous waters around the Shetland Islands. The name "Whal Horn" is derived from the Old Norse words "hvalr," meaning whale, and "horn," meaning promontory, reflecting the headland's association with marine life.

The headland is easily accessible to visitors, with a well-maintained path leading to its summit. This allows visitors to explore the area and enjoy its breathtaking views. Additionally, Whal Horn is a popular spot for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers, who flock to witness the diverse array of seabirds and other coastal creatures that call this headland home.

In conclusion, Whal Horn is a prominent and historically significant headland in the Shetland Islands. With its dramatic cliffs, abundant wildlife, and stunning views, it offers a unique and memorable experience for visitors to this remote and beautiful part of Scotland.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Whal Horn Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.541233/-1.4955362 or Grid Reference HU2784. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fish farm in Ronas Voe from Heylor
Fish farm in Ronas Voe from Heylor
Fish farm beside Hill of Burriesness, Ronas Voe Taken from Heylor.
Fish farm beside Hill of Burriesness, Ronas Voe
Taken from Heylor.
On Stonga Banks, view to Turls Head and Gruna Stack If the weather is fine, it is well worth the walk from Collafirth Hill via Ronas Hill to Stonga Banks to be rewarded by this spectacular view eight hundred feet above the sea.
On Stonga Banks, view to Turls Head and Gruna Stack
If the weather is fine, it is well worth the walk from Collafirth Hill via Ronas Hill to Stonga Banks to be rewarded by this spectacular view eight hundred feet above the sea.
Lang Ayre Walking on this beach was the ambition of a lifetime. Such a beautiful, remote spot.
Lang Ayre
Walking on this beach was the ambition of a lifetime. Such a beautiful, remote spot.
Ketligill Head The western end of Lang Ayre, with the crumbling red granite cliffs of Ketligill Head rising from the beach.
Ketligill Head
The western end of Lang Ayre, with the crumbling red granite cliffs of Ketligill Head rising from the beach.
The Cleiver, Ketligill Head
The Cleiver, Ketligill Head
Lunch stop in Ronas Voe, below The Cupps With a forecast of SE 7-9 changing to SW 7-9 perhaps 10 later, this was a day for seeking shelter at the foot of cliffs in the fjord-like Ronas Voe. Although deceptively calm in this photo, squalls as the wind dropped sharply over the cliffs were strong enough to stop progress and several of us had difficulty paddling against gusts through the gap centre-right of the photo to visit Point of Quida-stack and the caves just round the corner.
Lunch stop in Ronas Voe, below The Cupps
With a forecast of SE 7-9 changing to SW 7-9 perhaps 10 later, this was a day for seeking shelter at the foot of cliffs in the fjord-like Ronas Voe. Although deceptively calm in this photo, squalls as the wind dropped sharply over the cliffs were strong enough to stop progress and several of us had difficulty paddling against gusts through the gap centre-right of the photo to visit Point of Quida-stack and the caves just round the corner.
Beach below the Cupps, Ronas Voe Rain and very strong winds made this an interesting trip in the shelter of the cliffs in Ronas Voe. After crossing from the NE side to this beach on the SW side with a crosswind and some rough water, we took a well-deserved lunch break on this beach with red granite shingle from the eroded cliffs which were providing limited shelter from the weather.
Beach below the Cupps, Ronas Voe
Rain and very strong winds made this an interesting trip in the shelter of the cliffs in Ronas Voe. After crossing from the NE side to this beach on the SW side with a crosswind and some rough water, we took a well-deserved lunch break on this beach with red granite shingle from the eroded cliffs which were providing limited shelter from the weather.
Fishing boat and Burries Ness The boat had been working the nearby fish farms in Ronas Voe, and was returning to port.
Fishing boat and Burries Ness
The boat had been working the nearby fish farms in Ronas Voe, and was returning to port.
The Roodrans from Whal Horn Red granite forms the coastline in this part of Shetland, and the colour adds a special touch to spectacular cliff scenery.
The Roodrans from Whal Horn
Red granite forms the coastline in this part of Shetland, and the colour adds a special touch to spectacular cliff scenery.
Whal Horn Presumably this narrow red granite peninsula gets its name from similarity to the shape of a Narwhal horn.
Whal Horn
Presumably this narrow red granite peninsula gets its name from similarity to the shape of a Narwhal horn.
The Roodrans from Ketligill Head The path in view snakes down the cliffs and eventually leads to Lang Ayre (HU2885). The lower part of the path has eroded badly, and makes the descent quite hair-raising.
The Roodrans from Ketligill Head
The path in view snakes down the cliffs and eventually leads to Lang Ayre (HU2885). The lower part of the path has eroded badly, and makes the descent quite hair-raising.
Fish farm in Ronas Voe Salmon are farmed here. The small boat in the HU2783 geograph can be seen at the far right of the photograph.
Fish farm in Ronas Voe
Salmon are farmed here. The small boat in the HU2783 geograph can be seen at the far right of the photograph.
Waterfall above Ronas Voe
Waterfall above Ronas Voe
The Kirk, Ronas Voe
The Kirk, Ronas Voe
Slocka, Ronas Voe This beautiful beach has no name on the 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey map, and is only accessible by boat.
Slocka, Ronas Voe
This beautiful beach has no name on the 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey map, and is only accessible by boat.
Ketligill Head The crumbling red granite cliffs fall away over 130 metres to Lang Ayre, below.
Ketligill Head
The crumbling red granite cliffs fall away over 130 metres to Lang Ayre, below.
Burn of Monius from Ketligill Head
Burn of Monius from Ketligill Head
Show me another place!

Whal Horn is located at Grid Ref: HU2784 (Lat: 60.541233, Lng: -1.4955362)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///sooner.sprouting.worthy. Near Toft, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Stephen's Ayre The Roodrans Whal Horn Ronas Voe

Related Wikis

Lang Ayre
Lang Ayre

The Lang Ayre is a beach on the west side of Ronas Hill, Northmavine, Shetland. At 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) in length it is the archipelago's longest. It is...

Ronas Voe
Ronas Voe

Ronas Voe (pronounced [ˈrø̞nis ˌvo̞:] Shetland Dialect: Rønies Voe) is a voe in Northmavine, Shetland. It divides the land between Ronas Hill, Shetland...

Tingon
Tingon

Tingon is a peninsula in the north-west of Northmavine, Shetland. It is delineated on the east by Ronas Voe, and on the west by Hamnavoe. It is designated...

Ronas Hill
Ronas Hill

Ronas Hill (or Rönies Hill) is a hill in Shetland, Scotland. It is classed as a Marilyn, and is the highest point in the Shetland Islands at an elevation...

Kit Geo Shetland
Starling Geo Shetland

Have you been to Whal Horn?

Leave your review of Whal Horn below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy