Allens

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Allens

Sand Voe Sand Voe is an inlet at the north of the Northmavine area of Mainland, Shetland.
This view is of the sandy / shingly beach at the southern end of the voe near to the eponymously named settlement of Sandvoe (see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2713084">HU3690 : Sandvoe settlement</a>) — Sand Voe Credit: Rob Farrow

Allens is a prominent headland located on the coast of Shetland, an archipelago in Scotland. It is situated on the western side of the Shetland Mainland, near the village of Sandness. This coastal feature extends out into the North Atlantic Ocean, jutting out from the surrounding terrain and providing a stunning viewpoint of the surrounding seascape.

The headland is characterized by its rugged and rocky cliffs, which rise steeply from the coastline. These cliffs are composed of sedimentary rocks, displaying layers of different types of rock formations that have been shaped by the forces of erosion over millions of years. The exposed cliffs offer a glimpse into the geological history of the area and provide valuable insights into the region's past.

Allens is known for its diverse wildlife and is a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts. The surrounding coastal waters are home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and fulmars. Visitors to Allens may also have the opportunity to spot seals, dolphins, and even whales in the waters below.

The headland is easily accessible by foot, with a well-maintained trail leading to the summit. From the top, visitors are rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding coastline, the North Sea, and neighboring islands. On a clear day, the distant horizon stretches endlessly, offering a sense of tranquility and awe-inspiring beauty.

Allens is not only a natural landmark but also an important cultural site. Its significance in the local community is evident in the numerous folk tales and legends associated with the headland. These stories have been passed down through generations, adding to the mystique and allure of this coastal feature.

In conclusion, Allens is a captivating headland in Shetland, offering visitors a chance to experience the rugged beauty of the Scottish coastline, observe diverse wildlife, and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the region.

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Allens Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.585581/-1.3182043 or Grid Reference HU3789. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Sand Voe

Sand Voe is an inlet at the north of the Northmavine area of Mainland, Shetland. This view is of the sandy / shingly beach at the southern end of the voe near to the eponymously named settlement of Sandvoe (see HU3690 : Sandvoe settlement)

Rob Farrow

A lost plane

There was an explanation of how this plane got half way up the hill but it was so wet that I didn't read it.

Graeme Smith

Traditional Haystacks

Some good old fashioned haystacks at Isbister

Graeme Smith

Alpacas, Isbister, North Roe

Mike Pennington

Irisbeds, Isbister, North Roe

Mike Pennington

Beach at the head of Sand Voe, North Roe

Mike Pennington

Beach at the head of Sand Voe, North Roe

Not it's sandiest aspect.

Mike Pennington

Land Rover on the beach at Sand Voe, North Roe

The crofter has just been to feed sheep on the far end of the beach.

Mike Pennington

End Of The A970

Isbister is the end of the A970 and where we parked for our walk to Lanchestoo trig point.

Rude Health

North Roe: alpacas

The food tub has just been rattled and the alpacas respond as expected, making a bee-line for their owner. This is the only group of alpacas in Shetland; they have been here for four years, having been born in Hazelbury Bryan in Dorset. Some of the youngest in the picture are only a fortnight old.

Chris Downer

The end of the road

The A970 just comes to a dead stop here at Isbister. Looking south, for the first ten or a dozen miles it is "single track with passing places", but there is so little traffic that it is hardly a problem. After that, and all the way to Sumburgh HU4009, 80km away, it is a splendid road, upgraded (like other main routes in the Shetland Islands) when the oil money was at its peak. It is, of course, possible to walk further north for nearly 5 kilometres, to the Point of Fethaland (though I did not have time to do this). Only two inhabited islands, Yell and Unst, get even further north and into Myriad HP.

David Purchase

Shetland Potez

This French 'Potez' plane crash-landed at Sumburgh in 1981, and was brought here, 80km north, to its final resting place. One has to wonder why anyone would wish to do this, but also admire the tenacity that he must have shown. There is a descriptive plaque, which is just in the next square west. I have submitted a photo - see HU3690 : The "Shetland Potez" plaque. It is of poor quality (the moderator must have been feeling generous), partly but not entirely because the plaque itself is in bad condition. However I submitted it because there was no other image on site, the plaque will continue to deteriorate, and with judicious zooming you can make out most of the story behind this extraordinary scene.

David Purchase

The "Shetland Potez" plaque

The "Shetland Potez" is a French plane which crash-landed at Sumburgh in 1981. The plane itself is in the next square east - see, for example, HU3790 : 'Plane Daft or HU3790 : Shetland Potez. This is not a very clear photo, but I submitted it as there is nothing better on site, and the plaque itself is deteriorating. I think that, if you zoom in, most of the text can be read, though possibly with difficulty. Above the plaque is a sign which reads "Land's End 747 miles". Well, Land's End is in SW3425, and I make it 748 miles. But these things depend on your exact basis of calculation, and 747 is close enough - to say nothing of being a number with much more resonance to aircraft fans!

David Purchase

The Loch of Flugarth

Good flowers in the foreground.

David Purchase

South from Isbister

This is the extreme northern end of the A970, Shetland's principal road, the other end of which is at Grutness just south of Sumburgh Airport. Here it is little more than a track serving an isolated farmstead but over most of its length it is a well maintained fast road.

Stephen McKay