Oxen Punds

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Oxen Punds

Pullar's Loch, Sound, from the air Credit: Mike Pennington

Oxen Punds is a prominent coastal feature located on the Shetland Islands, an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is specifically situated on the Mainland, the largest island in the Shetland chain. Oxen Punds is categorized as a headland or point due to its distinct geographic formation and position along the coastline.

This coastal feature is known for its rugged and dramatic cliffs that can be observed from both land and sea. The cliffs at Oxen Punds are composed of ancient sedimentary rock layers, which have been shaped over centuries by the relentless force of the ocean waves. At its highest point, the headland reaches an elevation of approximately 150 meters (500 feet) above sea level, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding ocean and the neighboring islands.

The name "Oxen Punds" derives from the Old Norse language, with "oxen" referring to the large, powerful animals used in farming and "punds" meaning a pen or enclosure. It is believed that the name reflects the historical use of this area as a place for grazing livestock.

Today, Oxen Punds is a popular destination for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers who are drawn to its striking scenery. The area is home to a rich array of wildlife, including seabird colonies nesting on the cliffs, seals basking on offshore rocks, and occasionally whales or dolphins passing by in the waters below.

Oxen Punds is not only a significant coastal feature in terms of its geological and ecological importance, but also holds cultural and historical value as a site that has been shaped by human activities and inhabited for centuries.

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Oxen Punds Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.123709/-1.1715173 or Grid Reference HU4637. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Pullar's Loch, Sound, from the air

Mike Pennington

Ness of Sound, Lerwick, from the air

Mike Pennington

Ness of Sound from the air

Mike Pennington

Marine activity in Gulber Wick

A reminder that despite the problems in the oil industry there is still activity in Shetland's waters.

Julian Paren

On MV Hrossey - the overnight ferry to Aberdeen

A few passengers stayed on the outside upper deck of MV Hrossey as the darkness faded and the cool breeze penetrated. The headland that marks the end of Bressay Sound is just visible to port.

Julian Paren

Small boat off Ness of Sound

Taken from the Knab in Lerwick.

Mike Pennington

Cuddie Sound

Passing Ness of Sound as the mist falls.

David Dixon

Ruggen, Ness of Sound

Taken from the Marco Polo cruise ship on the way out of Lerwick.

Ian S

Skerries on east side of Ness of Sound

The gently dipping Middle Old Red Sandstone of east Mainland produces skerries with a steep side facing the shore of Ness of Sound, and a slope off into the waters of Brei Wick. This makes them easy for seals to haul out on the seaward side, and slide quickly away from the shore if disturbed, though the ones we saw had chosen a boulder beach a little way north where they seemed better camouflaged. Perhaps the less visible ones remained while ones here had already departed before we got to them ! There certainly seeme to be seal heads popping up all along the shore of Brei Wick, watching the people passing by. In the distance in this view is Bressay Sound, overlooked by Lerwick on the left (with the prominent coastguard building on the hilltop) and Bressay on the right.

Andy Waddington

Ruggen - the end of Ness of Sound

Although the sea looks calm from this height on the Ness of Sound circular path, we'd just had a very lumpy crossing from mainland Scotland, and the view includes lots of ships taking shelter on the lee side of Shetland's long southern peninsula towards Sumburgh Head. The strong westerly had moderated a little from its overnight peak of 7-8, but was still perhaps a little gusty for cliff top walking, but at least the sun was shining. The Devonian Middle Old Red Sandstone beds (typical of east Mainland) are here dipping quite steeply to the east, producing rather pointy skerries, and less than confidence-inspiring cliff edges where they face east into Brei Wick.

Andy Waddington

The southwestern tip of Ness of Sound

Steeply dipping sandstones of Devonian age (Middle Old Red Sandstone) produce quite pointy skerries and smooth east-facing cliff faces here at the very end of Ness of Sound, west of Ruggen. Although Voe of Sound and the sea to our south are protected from the big westerly swells, white foam on the wave tops shows that there is quite a strong and gusty wind blowing (we'd had a pretty lumpy crossing from mainland Scotland overnight). There are numerous ships in the background of this view, all taking shelter in the lee of Shetland's long southern peninsula - anchored with their bows facing the coast and close in to minimise the fetch.

Andy Waddington

Voe of Sound

This is the low western side of Ness of Sound, with no cliffs and a short drop to the bouldery beach overlooking Voe of Sound. Although the Voe is not very wide, and doesn't have much in the way of waves even in the fresh gusty wind, it is clear that it can get a lot rougher. Much of the shoreline vegetation was blackened by dehydration caused by the salt spray which blows over - anything brave enough to stick up above the surrounding grasses seemed badly affected, particularly the nettles. To the left (west) of Sands of Sound, the green lump is Holm of Sound, behind which are the houses of Sound and Upper Sound (now westerly suburbs of Lerwick).

Andy Waddington