Thief's House

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Thief's House

The Nev, Fitful Head, from the air With a view to Ward of Scousburgh — The Nev, Fitful Head, from the air Credit: Mike Pennington

Thief's House is a prominent coastal feature located on the Shetland Islands, off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is specifically situated on a headland, jutting out into the North Sea, and is known for its distinct point-like shape. This rugged and picturesque area offers breathtaking views of the surrounding cliffs, pristine waters, and the vast expanse of the sea.

The name "Thief's House" is said to have originated from the notorious activities of smugglers and thieves who used the area as a hideout and base for their illicit operations during the 18th and 19th centuries. The rugged terrain and isolated location provided them with ideal conditions to carry out their illegal activities undetected.

The headland itself is characterized by steep cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea, creating a stunning natural landscape. The cliffs are formed from layers of sedimentary rock, displaying various earthy hues and unique geological formations. The crashing waves and constant erosion have sculpted the coastline, resulting in sea caves, arches, and stacks that add to the area's natural beauty.

Thief's House is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers due to its dramatic scenery and abundant wildlife. Visitors can enjoy exploring the coastal paths that wind through the headland, providing stunning panoramic views of the surrounding seascape. Birdwatchers can also spot a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and fulmars, nesting and soaring above the cliffs.

In summary, Thief's House is a captivating headland and point on the Shetland Islands, offering breathtaking views, unique geological formations, and a rich history of smugglers and thieves. It is a must-visit location for those seeking to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of Scotland's coastal landscape.

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Thief's House Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.906309/-1.3851797 or Grid Reference HU3413. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Nev, Fitful Head, from the air With a view to Ward of Scousburgh

The Nev, Fitful Head, from the air

With a view to Ward of Scousburgh

Mike Pennington

Fitful Head from the air

Fitful Head from the air

Mike Pennington

Whales Wick, Fitful Head, from the air

Whales Wick, Fitful Head, from the air

Mike Pennington

The Ords, Fitful Head

The Ords, Fitful Head

Cliffs at The Nev, north of Fitful Head

Cliffs at The Nev, north of Fitful Head

The bend in the track There is a well-graded track up to the communications masts on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive up, but it is an easy walk from Quendale. At this point, there is a sharp bend. Coming down, I certainly would not want to lose control here, or miss the turn in mist. The consequences are pretty clear!

I think that the rocks just left of centre must be Swarta Skerry, in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU3415">HU3415</a>.

The bend in the track

There is a well-graded track up to the communications masts on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive up, but it is an easy walk from Quendale. At this point, there is a sharp bend. Coming down, I certainly would not want to lose control here, or miss the turn in mist. The consequences are pretty clear! I think that the rocks just left of centre must be Swarta Skerry, in HU3415.

The track from Fitful Head A well-graded track serves the communications station on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive, but it gives an easy walk. This is looking back downhill towards Quendale.

The track from Fitful Head

A well-graded track serves the communications station on Fitful Head. Clearly, it is not open to the public to drive, but it gives an easy walk. This is looking back downhill towards Quendale.

The track from Fitful Head Looking east towards Gord Farm and Quendale.

The public are not allowed to drive up this track, which is used by engineers servicing the masts on Fitful Head. But it makes for a very easy walk to this 283m high hill.

The track from Fitful Head

Looking east towards Gord Farm and Quendale. The public are not allowed to drive up this track, which is used by engineers servicing the masts on Fitful Head. But it makes for a very easy walk to this 283m high hill.

Siggar Ness and Fitful Head from the air

Siggar Ness and Fitful Head from the air

Mike Pennington

Siggar Ness and Fitful Head from the air Taken from a plane coming in to land at Sumburgh Airport.

Siggar Ness and Fitful Head from the air

Taken from a plane coming in to land at Sumburgh Airport.

Mike Pennington

Siggar Ness and Fitful Head from the air Taken from a plane just after take-off from Sumburgh Airport. There is snow on the west Mainland of Shetland in the distance.

Siggar Ness and Fitful Head from the air

Taken from a plane just after take-off from Sumburgh Airport. There is snow on the west Mainland of Shetland in the distance.

Mike Pennington

Siggar Ness and Fitful Head from the air

Siggar Ness and Fitful Head from the air

Mike Pennington

Fitful Head: view from a few miles east Looking out from the Northlink ferry to Aberdeen as cloud covers Fitful Head on a beautiful sunny evening.

Fitful Head: view from a few miles east

Looking out from the Northlink ferry to Aberdeen as cloud covers Fitful Head on a beautiful sunny evening.

Mystery Feature An absolute mystery when first located, but close investigation revealed its identity.
It turns out to be a Protective Wall for a Target Zone on an old disused firing range (some evidence here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622204">HU3513 : Blitzed Target Zone</a>.
It faces another Target Zone (down-range) about 450 metres away; see - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622226">HU3613 : Unmarked Feature</a>.
The platform (maybe planks) on which the targets stood, is missing.

Mystery Feature

An absolute mystery when first located, but close investigation revealed its identity. It turns out to be a Protective Wall for a Target Zone on an old disused firing range (some evidence here HU3513 : Blitzed Target Zone. It faces another Target Zone (down-range) about 450 metres away; see - HU3613 : Unmarked Feature. The platform (maybe planks) on which the targets stood, is missing.

Fire Wall This is the protective wall at a Target Zone on an old disused firing range.
There are no names, nor designations, on the map, nor references (that I could find) on the Internet.
Looking from this protective wall, across the valley, one can see another obvious Target Zone <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622226">HU3613 : Unmarked Feature</a> - centre and to the right of the quarry.
This Fire Wall but not the Target Zone is shown on the OS map.

Fire Wall

This is the protective wall at a Target Zone on an old disused firing range. There are no names, nor designations, on the map, nor references (that I could find) on the Internet. Looking from this protective wall, across the valley, one can see another obvious Target Zone HU3613 : Unmarked Feature - centre and to the right of the quarry. This Fire Wall but not the Target Zone is shown on the OS map.

Blitzed Target Zone The front edge of the protective wall, behind which, on a raised platform I assume, targets stood.
The &#039;blitzing&#039; suggests that a lot of &#039;incoming fire&#039; had raked the wall, as the rear edges and the protected front ones appear as sharp as new. The whole area must have been used for weapon training.

Blitzed Target Zone

The front edge of the protective wall, behind which, on a raised platform I assume, targets stood. The 'blitzing' suggests that a lot of 'incoming fire' had raked the wall, as the rear edges and the protected front ones appear as sharp as new. The whole area must have been used for weapon training.

Unmarked Feature In the field I could find no direct evidence on the OS maps for such an obvious feature (unlike the one mentioned below). A later desktop search found a small trace-mark on the larger-scale maps.
It is the sheltered Target Zone on a rifle range and linked to - <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2622169">HU3513 : Mystery Feature</a>.

Unmarked Feature

In the field I could find no direct evidence on the OS maps for such an obvious feature (unlike the one mentioned below). A later desktop search found a small trace-mark on the larger-scale maps. It is the sheltered Target Zone on a rifle range and linked to - HU3513 : Mystery Feature.

Claypotts A row of tiny derelict &#039;cells&#039;. Reminiscent of quarrymen&#039;s barracks I have seen elsewhere. Very neat layout about five rooms, all identical.

Claypotts

A row of tiny derelict 'cells'. Reminiscent of quarrymen's barracks I have seen elsewhere. Very neat layout about five rooms, all identical.

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Thief's House is located at Grid Ref: HU3413 (Lat: 59.906309, Lng: -1.3851797)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///tissue.crispy.useful. Near Sumburgh, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Thief's House Geo of Bruntlee Black Hillock The Ords Ord Skerries Fitful Head

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.906309,-1.3851797

Fitful Head

Corbett: no

Ele: 283

Graham: no

Marilyn: yes

Munro: no

Natural: peak

Prominence: 270

Lat/Long: 59.9058125/-1.3821974

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 59.9044332/-1.3771558

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 59.9052913/-1.3812837

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 59.9046591/-1.378167

Barrier: cattle_grid

Lat/Long: 59.9062031/-1.382083

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 59.9050721/-1.3801733

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 59.9048555/-1.3792184

Man Made: survey_point

Lat/Long: 59.9055535/-1.3826624

Power: pole

Lat/Long: 59.9054702/-1.3820884

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Geo Muller Roo Shetland

Green Pund Shetland

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