Widdels Kame

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Widdels Kame

To Sumburgh Head Taken at Jarlshof, settlement site on Shetland dating back 4,000 years and still in use in the 17th century, I am looking across the West Voe of Sumburgh towards Sumburgh Head, the most southerly point of mainland Shetland. — To Sumburgh Head Credit: Carroll Pierce

Widdels Kame is a prominent coastal feature located on the Shetland Islands, an archipelago off the northeast coast of Scotland. It is categorized as a headland or point due to its distinctive formation and geographical characteristics.

Situated on the eastern coast of the main island, Widdels Kame juts out into the North Sea, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding rugged coastline. Its unique shape is a result of glacial deposition during the last Ice Age, making it a significant geological landmark. The Kame is composed of various types of sediment, including sand, gravel, and rocks, which were deposited by the retreating glaciers.

The headland is characterized by its steep cliffs, which can reach heights of up to 60 meters (197 feet). These cliffs provide a nesting site for numerous seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes, making it a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts. The surrounding waters are also rich in marine life, with seals often seen basking on the rocks or swimming in the nearby coves.

Widdels Kame is easily accessible by foot, with a scenic coastal path leading visitors to the headland. The area is managed as part of a nature reserve, ensuring the preservation of its unique ecosystem and protecting the diverse flora and fauna that call it home. Its captivating beauty and geological significance make Widdels Kame a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those interested in the fascinating history of the Shetland Islands.

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Widdels Kame Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.866408/-1.2730274 or Grid Reference HU4009. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

To Sumburgh Head

Taken at Jarlshof, settlement site on Shetland dating back 4,000 years and still in use in the 17th century, I am looking across the West Voe of Sumburgh towards Sumburgh Head, the most southerly point of mainland Shetland.

Carroll Pierce

Wheelhouse entrance

This is a section of the extensive remains located at Jarlshof, Sumburgh, Shetland. The site was first settled around 4,000 years ago and had a succession of inhabitants through the Bronze and Iron Ages to Norse settlement and medieval farming following on until the 17th century. I am looking at an entrance to the wheelhouse complex on the site.

Carroll Pierce

Sumburgh Airport from Jarlshof

Taken on the inner path running between the wheelhouse complex and the Norse settlement at Jarlshof, Sumburgh, I am looking across the eastern edge of West Voe to Sumburgh Airport, Shetland's main airport.

Carroll Pierce

Sumburgh Hotel

I am near the visitor centre at Jarlshof, Shetland, and looking past the Shetland pony towards the Sumburgh Hotel which is flying the Shetland flag. The hill beyond crowned with radar installation is the landward side of Compass Head.

Carroll Pierce

MV Good Shepherd IV at Grutness pier

The Fair Isle ferry.

Mike Pennington

MV Good Shepherd IV arriving at Grutness pier

Mike Pennington

MV Good Shepherd IV approaching the pier at Grutness

Mike Pennington

Looss Laward from the air

Mike Pennington

Male House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) bathing, Grutness

Mike Pennington

Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica), Grutness

A rare vagrant from North America; only the 5th seen in Britain.

Mike Pennington

Grutness House from the pier

Mike Pennington

Guillemots on a stack at Sumburgh Head

Mike Pennington

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

At the summit of this path lie the lighthouse and visitor centre at Sumburgh Head, the southernmost point of mainland Shetland. This is also a nature reserve teeming with birdlife on the cliffs and the rocks below.

Carroll Pierce

Shags at Sumburgh Head

One of many bird colonies to be found at Sumburgh Head, Shetland, these are shags or skarfs as they are known in Shetland dialect.

Carroll Pierce

Minor lighthouse, Sumburgh

With Sumburgh Head and its main lighthouse behind me, I am looking back to the car park which is also the location of a minor lighthouse. This light was relocated from its original position at Muckle Roe in 2001 to make way for a lower-maintenance version lit by solar panels.

Carroll Pierce