Burgi Geos

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

Burgi Geos

Markamouth Promontory on the Vigon coast. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise. — Markamouth Credit: Mike Pennington

Burgi Geos is a prominent coastal feature located in the Shetland Islands, an archipelago situated off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It is classified as a headland or point, as it extends out into the sea, forming a distinct and recognizable landform.

The name "Burgi Geos" is derived from the Old Norse language, reflecting the Viking heritage of the region. "Burgi" means fortification or stronghold, while "Geos" refers to narrow inlets or gullies. This name is quite fitting for the site, as it is characterized by its steep cliffs and rugged terrain.

The headland is composed of a variety of geological formations, including layers of sedimentary rocks such as sandstone and shale. These rock layers often exhibit fascinating patterns and colors, reflecting millions of years of geological processes.

Burgi Geos offers stunning views of the surrounding coastline, with its cliffs rising dramatically above the crashing waves of the North Atlantic Ocean. The area is also home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant species, including seabirds, seals, and wildflowers that thrive in the coastal environment.

Due to its striking natural beauty and unique geological features, Burgi Geos attracts both locals and visitors alike. It offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and photography. Additionally, the area's historical significance and cultural heritage make it an intriguing destination for those interested in the Viking history of the Shetland Islands.

In conclusion, Burgi Geos is a captivating headland or point in the Shetland Islands, renowned for its steep cliffs, stunning views, and rich geological and cultural heritage.

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Burgi Geos Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.710699/-1.126646 or Grid Reference HP4703. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Markamouth

Promontory on the Vigon coast. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.

Mike Pennington

Swinga Taing

Promontory on the north-west coast of Yell. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.

Mike Pennington

Eegittle

Promontory on the north-west coast of Yell. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.

Mike Pennington

Coast between Aastack Geo and Bagi Stack

The north-west corner of Yell, with the small light on the un-named headland above Bagi stack. The light is misplaced on both 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 maps, but according to Google Earth, magic.defra.gov.uk (and this photo) it is in this square and on this un-named headland. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.

Mike Pennington

North-west Yell

Bagi Stack and, further out on the left, Gloup Holm. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.

Mike Pennington

Natural arch off the coast of north-west Yell

According to the 1:25,000 map, this may be Grey Stack, although the names of the stacks (and the location of the light) are rather obscure. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.

Mike Pennington

Bagi Stack from the north

With the small light on the headland beyond. Taken from one of the Yell Sound ferries on a North Isles cruise.

Mike Pennington

Looking across the Geo of Markamouth

The headland and sea stack of Markamouth are visible in the background, beyond the 60 m high cliffs.

Tim Harrison

Markamouth

The small rocky peninsula carries some wonderful granite pegmatite veins, with huge books of muscovite (light mica) and biotite (dark mica). It is also a favourite feeding station for Greater black-backed gulls. The northern side of the peninsula has been scoured clean of vegetation by storms.

Tim Harrison

Looking south across Geo of Markamouth

Tim Harrison

Geo south of Swinga Taing

Tim Harrison

Sea caves, Swinga Taing

Tim Harrison

Fishing floats, Burn of Blackies Glen

An old sheep fank is being used to store these old fishing floats by Burn of Blackies Glen. However, it will not be so easy to get them out by sea because there is no safe place to land a boat here. The nearest place is Geo of Vigon, some 1.5 km north of here.

Tim Harrison

Looking north across Burgi Geos

Burgi Geos derive their name from an Iron-Age fort which sits on the peninsula dividing the two geos.

Tim Harrison

Iron-age peninsula fort, Burgi Geo

The fort is built on a narrow promontory, surrounded on three sides by 50 m cliffs. It dates from approximately 800 BC, and is typical of many Western European promontory forts of this period. The well-preserved processional "fence" of stones leads to the fortification itself, some of which can be seen on the promontory. Remains of hut circles have been found within the fortified area, although much of the fort has now collapsed into the sea.

Tim Harrison

Eegittle from the east

The narrow peninsula of Eegittle is geologically very interesting because it is composed of a rather more sandy type of meta-sediment than elsewhere on the western Yell coast, and it allows for a good understanding of the complexities of the structural geology in the area. It is also shot through with a number of deformed white granite veins.

Tim Harrison

Aastack Geo

The geograph for this page in fact covers half of HP4705 and half of HP4704, and should in fact have a supplementary classification. The light-house is shown at a different location on both the 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 maps, but neither are correct as it is at HP47840496 according to my GPS.

Tim Harrison