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Muckle Rae Geo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Muckle Rae Geo

Fugla Stack, Burra, from the air
Fugla Stack, Burra, from the air Credit: Mike Pennington

Muckle Rae Geo is a prominent coastal feature located in the Shetland Islands, an archipelago in Scotland. It is classified as a headland or point, characterized by its towering cliffs and rugged terrain. The name "Muckle Rae Geo" is derived from the Shetland dialect, with "Muckle" meaning "big" or "large" and "Rae" referring to a rocky headland.

Situated on the northern coastline, Muckle Rae Geo offers breathtaking views of the North Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs rise dramatically from the sea, reaching heights of up to 150 feet (45 meters) in some areas. These soaring cliffs are composed of layers of sedimentary rock, displaying a fascinating geological history and providing insight into the region's ancient past.

The headland is known for its diverse wildlife, including various seabird species that nest along the cliffs. Visitors may spot colonies of puffins, guillemots, fulmars, and kittiwakes, among others. Muckle Rae Geo is also home to a range of marine life, such as seals and dolphins, which can occasionally be seen swimming in the surrounding waters.

Access to Muckle Rae Geo is possible via a coastal path that winds its way along the cliffs, offering stunning panoramic views of the rugged coastline. However, caution is advised as the path can be challenging and exposed in certain sections. It is recommended to wear appropriate footwear and take necessary precautions while exploring this magnificent coastal feature.

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Muckle Rae Geo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.062729/-1.35145 or Grid Reference HU3631. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fugla Stack, Burra, from the air
Fugla Stack, Burra, from the air
Sound of Fuglastack, Burra, from the air
Sound of Fuglastack, Burra, from the air
Fugla Stack, Kettla Ness, West Burra, from the air Virda Vatn in the background.
Fugla Stack, Kettla Ness, West Burra, from the air
Virda Vatn in the background.
The southern part of Houss Ness Seen from just south of the summit of Ward of Symbister.
The southern part of Houss Ness
Seen from just south of the summit of Ward of Symbister.
Cliffs on the west side of Kettla Ness It looks as though there will soon be another landslide on this dramatic coast.
Cliffs on the west side of Kettla Ness
It looks as though there will soon be another landslide on this dramatic coast.
Kettla Ness The southern half of the island is unspoilt and very beautiful.
Kettla Ness
The southern half of the island is unspoilt and very beautiful.
At Gossigarth on Kettla Ness Looking towards Banna Minn and Duncansclett.
At Gossigarth on Kettla Ness
Looking towards Banna Minn and Duncansclett.
Approaching Clivland Bay, Houss Ness A small bay backed by numerous ruined buildings.
Approaching Clivland Bay, Houss Ness
A small bay backed by numerous ruined buildings.
Stream emerging at Clivland Bay Plenty of bubbles in peaty brown water.
Stream emerging at Clivland Bay
Plenty of bubbles in peaty brown water.
Symbister, East Burra An extensive set of ruined buildings.
Symbister, East Burra
An extensive set of ruined buildings.
Burnt Mound at Symbister One of three burnt mounds indicated on the 1:25,000 OS mapping. This was a smaller mound. Often features like this are marked on maps yet are hard to find. A Eureka moment followed after the GPS location was checked. I understand the purpose of burnt mounds is a contentious issue.
Burnt Mound at Symbister
One of three burnt mounds indicated on the 1:25,000 OS mapping. This was a smaller mound. Often features like this are marked on maps yet are hard to find. A Eureka moment followed after the GPS location was checked. I understand the purpose of burnt mounds is a contentious issue.
West coast of Kettla Ness from The Heugg The aftermath of a Shetland gale. The grass covered The Ward is the highest point on Kettla Ness. Beyond are the hills that make up the spine of Mainland Shetland.
West coast of Kettla Ness from The Heugg
The aftermath of a Shetland gale. The grass covered The Ward is the highest point on Kettla Ness. Beyond are the hills that make up the spine of Mainland Shetland.
Looking NW from hilltop near Kettla Ness
Looking NW from hilltop near Kettla Ness
Symbister This croft site was abandoned in the early 1950s largely because there was no road to it. [P. Guy, Walking the Coastline of Shetland, South Mainland, Shetland Times, Lerwick, 2000.]
Symbister
This croft site was abandoned in the early 1950s largely because there was no road to it. [P. Guy, Walking the Coastline of Shetland, South Mainland, Shetland Times, Lerwick, 2000.]
Derelict Croft The ruins of the croft at Gossigarth with Banna Minn showing behind
Derelict Croft
The ruins of the croft at Gossigarth with Banna Minn showing behind
East Burra: Houss from West Burra Looking across South Voe towards the scattered dwellings of Houss with the mighty slopes of Shetland's south mainland on the far side of Clift Sound beyond.
East Burra: Houss from West Burra
Looking across South Voe towards the scattered dwellings of Houss with the mighty slopes of Shetland's south mainland on the far side of Clift Sound beyond.
Houss: view from Papil Looking across the water separating West Burra (our side) from East Burra, on which we see a few of the buildings, one of them ruined, in the hamlet of Houss. Immediately to the south (right) of these is the narrow strip of land connecting Houss Ness to the 'main' part of East Burra. The Clift Hills, on the mainland, are the backdrop, shrouded in cloud.
Houss: view from Papil
Looking across the water separating West Burra (our side) from East Burra, on which we see a few of the buildings, one of them ruined, in the hamlet of Houss. Immediately to the south (right) of these is the narrow strip of land connecting Houss Ness to the 'main' part of East Burra. The Clift Hills, on the mainland, are the backdrop, shrouded in cloud.
Houss: a house with a dramatic backdrop Looking across to a Houss house, as it were, from West Burra. I haven't been able to exactly locate the house on the map but it's somewhere hereabouts. In the background, a couple of vessels, below the cliffs of the Clift Hills, are catching a very rare bit of sun today - the rarity of the fine weather hinted at by the low mist towards the top of the hills.
Houss: a house with a dramatic backdrop
Looking across to a Houss house, as it were, from West Burra. I haven't been able to exactly locate the house on the map but it's somewhere hereabouts. In the background, a couple of vessels, below the cliffs of the Clift Hills, are catching a very rare bit of sun today - the rarity of the fine weather hinted at by the low mist towards the top of the hills.
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Muckle Rae Geo is located at Grid Ref: HU3631 (Lat: 60.062729, Lng: -1.35145)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///bullion.koala.squirted. Near Sandwick, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Kame of Riven Noup Papil Ruff Loch Muckle Rae Geo Loch of Papil Duncansclett

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.062729,-1.35145
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 60.0632831/-1.3433837
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Longi Geo Shetland
Muckle Coar Geo Shetland

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