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Skaw Taing

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Skaw Taing

Fethaland (1) This is Fethaland, a long-abandoned haaf fishing settlement located at the extreme north of Shetland's mainland. (See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/shetland-blog/haaf-fishing-in-shetland/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/shetland-blog/haaf-fishing-in-shetland/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> )
Fethaland (1) Credit: Carroll Pierce

Skaw Taing is a prominent headland located on the northernmost tip of the Shetland Islands, off the northeast coast of Scotland. It is situated on the mainland of Shetland, near the village of Skaw. Skaw Taing is a popular coastal feature renowned for its breathtaking beauty and rugged landscape.

The headland is characterized by its dramatic cliffs, which rise steeply from the North Sea to heights of approximately 100 meters (330 feet). These cliffs provide an excellent vantage point to observe the surrounding coastal scenery, including stunning views of the open ocean, nearby islands, and the distant Scottish mainland.

Skaw Taing is also known for its diverse wildlife, attracting birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts from around the world. The headland is home to a variety of seabird species, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and fulmars. Visitors can witness these majestic birds nesting on the cliffs during the breeding season, which typically occurs in spring and summer.

In addition to its natural beauty, Skaw Taing has historical significance. The headland is believed to have been inhabited since prehistoric times, with archaeological remains indicating human presence dating back thousands of years. The area also features several ancient burial grounds, known as brochs, which are circular stone towers that were used for defensive purposes in ancient times.

Overall, Skaw Taing is a captivating coastal feature that offers visitors a unique blend of stunning natural scenery, diverse wildlife, and rich historical heritage. It is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the Shetland Islands.

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Skaw Taing Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.626504/-1.3393442 or Grid Reference HU3693. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fethaland (1) This is Fethaland, a long-abandoned haaf fishing settlement located at the extreme north of Shetland's mainland. (See <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/shetland-blog/haaf-fishing-in-shetland/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/shetland-blog/haaf-fishing-in-shetland/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> )
Fethaland (1)
This is Fethaland, a long-abandoned haaf fishing settlement located at the extreme north of Shetland's mainland. (See LinkExternal link )
Fethaland (2) This is Fethaland, a long-abandoned haaf fishing community at the very extreme north of Shetland's mainland (see <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/shetland-blog/haaf-fishing-in-shetland/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/shetland-blog/haaf-fishing-in-shetland/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ). The stone-lined hollows in the foreground are boat-shaped storage spaces used to house the fishing vessels outside season.
Fethaland (2)
This is Fethaland, a long-abandoned haaf fishing community at the very extreme north of Shetland's mainland (see LinkExternal link ). The stone-lined hollows in the foreground are boat-shaped storage spaces used to house the fishing vessels outside season.
The Isle of Fethaland This is the most northerly point on Shetland Mainland. It is usually 'not an island', but it can become one if the winds or tides are adverse. It is a walk of about 3.5 km from the nearest road, the north end of the A970, but the track must be reasonable as the lighthouse is clearly reachable by some vehicles. The pyramidal rock to the left is Yellow Stack. (Perhaps they used Pepsodent?) Beyond it is Gruney, an island with a lighthouse (centre) not recorded on OS maps, with the Ramna Stacks on its left. To the right is the northern part of Yell.
The Isle of Fethaland
This is the most northerly point on Shetland Mainland. It is usually 'not an island', but it can become one if the winds or tides are adverse. It is a walk of about 3.5 km from the nearest road, the north end of the A970, but the track must be reasonable as the lighthouse is clearly reachable by some vehicles. The pyramidal rock to the left is Yellow Stack. (Perhaps they used Pepsodent?) Beyond it is Gruney, an island with a lighthouse (centre) not recorded on OS maps, with the Ramna Stacks on its left. To the right is the northern part of Yell.
Fethaland Ruins at the north tip of Mainland Shetland.
Fethaland
Ruins at the north tip of Mainland Shetland.
Isle of Fethaland The 'Isle' beyond the isthmus is currently a peninsula. No doubt spring tides and storm force winds would make it seem more island-like.
Isle of Fethaland
The 'Isle' beyond the isthmus is currently a peninsula. No doubt spring tides and storm force winds would make it seem more island-like.
Sheep pens at Breibister And the pens were in use. The shepherd said that after the prolonged dry spell his sheep "were scouring and he needed to drench them." His two sheep dogs worked beautifully to gather the flock. The following day they were all to be on the ferry to Aberdeen for sheep dog trials.
Sheep pens at Breibister
And the pens were in use. The shepherd said that after the prolonged dry spell his sheep "were scouring and he needed to drench them." His two sheep dogs worked beautifully to gather the flock. The following day they were all to be on the ferry to Aberdeen for sheep dog trials.
Sheep pens at Breibister And the pens were in use. The shepherd said that after the prolonged dry spell his sheep "were scouring and he needed to drench them." His two sheep dogs worked beautifully to gather the flock. The following day shepherd and dogs were all to be on the ferry to Aberdeen for sheep dog trials.
Sheep pens at Breibister
And the pens were in use. The shepherd said that after the prolonged dry spell his sheep "were scouring and he needed to drench them." His two sheep dogs worked beautifully to gather the flock. The following day shepherd and dogs were all to be on the ferry to Aberdeen for sheep dog trials.
The Point of Fethaland light This is a white/red sector light flashing white/red every 15 seconds. The black 'boxes' seen in the photo control the direction in which the light shows red and the direction in which it shows white. A full description is here <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.nlb.org.uk/Navigation/NoticeToMariners/Documents/SHETLAND-ISLES---POINT-OF-FETHALAND/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.nlb.org.uk/Navigation/NoticeToMariners/Documents/SHETLAND-ISLES---POINT-OF-FETHALAND/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
The Point of Fethaland light
This is a white/red sector light flashing white/red every 15 seconds. The black 'boxes' seen in the photo control the direction in which the light shows red and the direction in which it shows white. A full description is here LinkExternal link
Yellow Stack at Point of Fethaland
Yellow Stack at Point of Fethaland
Gate on the path by the Lower Loch of Setter Through the gate to Sand Voe.
Gate on the path by the Lower Loch of Setter
Through the gate to Sand Voe.
The Lower Loch of Setter
The Lower Loch of Setter
Viga Water Looking north along Viga Water - the sea is just visible on the horizon.
Viga Water
Looking north along Viga Water - the sea is just visible on the horizon.
Landrover Carcass at Loch of Setter End of the road for this one - southern end of Loch of Setter
Landrover Carcass at Loch of Setter
End of the road for this one - southern end of Loch of Setter
Fethaland Vista Looking north down track - Isle of Fethaland and Gruney visible in distance
Fethaland Vista
Looking north down track - Isle of Fethaland and Gruney visible in distance
Ruined Farm Buildings at Breibister
Ruined Farm Buildings at Breibister
Yellow Stack Yellow Stack is the conical feature in this photo taken from the lighthouse on the Isle of Fethaland
Yellow Stack
Yellow Stack is the conical feature in this photo taken from the lighthouse on the Isle of Fethaland
Isle of Fethaland Cliff scenery looking south from lighthouse
Isle of Fethaland
Cliff scenery looking south from lighthouse
Easter Wick Pebble beach and Easter Wick Bay, Fethaland. On this day we watched gannets fishing in the bay.
Easter Wick
Pebble beach and Easter Wick Bay, Fethaland. On this day we watched gannets fishing in the bay.
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Skaw Taing is located at Grid Ref: HU3693 (Lat: 60.626504, Lng: -1.3393442)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///ridiculed.admires.rebounder. Near Ulsta, Shetland Islands

Nearby Locations

Ire Geo Hevda Skerries Viga Taing Hevda Skaw Taing Viga Geo

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