The Haa

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Shetland

Scotland

The Haa

Southern Whalsay Looking from near the summit of Ward of Clett across to the uninhabited islet of East Linga in the distance.
Southern Whalsay Credit: David Purchase

The Haa is a prominent coastal feature located in the Shetland Islands, an archipelago in northern Scotland. It is a headland that juts out into the North Sea, forming a distinctive point on the coastline. The Haa is situated on the western coast of the Mainland, the largest and most populous island in the Shetland group.

This coastal feature is characterized by its rugged and dramatic landscape. The Haa rises steeply from the surrounding sea, creating a striking and imposing presence. The headland is composed of sheer cliffs that reach heights of up to 100 meters, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding ocean and the nearby islands.

The Haa is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, razorbills, and guillemots. These birds nest on the cliffs, adding to the natural beauty and ecological significance of the area. The headland is also frequented by seals and occasionally dolphins, enhancing its appeal for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The Haa is not only a natural landmark but also holds historical significance. It is believed to have been a strategic vantage point during ancient times, offering a commanding view of the sea and potentially serving as a defensive position. The headland is dotted with archaeological sites, including Iron Age brochs and ancient settlements, further adding to its cultural and historical value.

Overall, The Haa stands as a remarkable coastal feature in the Shetland Islands, combining stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and a rich historical heritage. It attracts visitors from around the world who come to appreciate its awe-inspiring scenery and immerse themselves in its natural and cultural wonders.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

The Haa Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.327002/-1.0045784 or Grid Reference HU5560. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Southern Whalsay Looking from near the summit of Ward of Clett across to the uninhabited islet of East Linga in the distance.
Southern Whalsay
Looking from near the summit of Ward of Clett across to the uninhabited islet of East Linga in the distance.
The summit of Ward of Clett, Whalsay Well, this is what everyone would think is the summit. But the purists maintain that the true highest point is a little way to the north-east, at HU55046148.
The summit of Ward of Clett, Whalsay
Well, this is what everyone would think is the summit. But the purists maintain that the true highest point is a little way to the north-east, at HU55046148.
Descending to Clate On the way down from Ward of Clett, the highest point on Whalsay.
Descending to Clate
On the way down from Ward of Clett, the highest point on Whalsay.
Loch of Huxter, Whalsay One of four lochs on Whalsay of similar size. I would estimate that this is the largest.
Loch of Huxter, Whalsay
One of four lochs on Whalsay of similar size. I would estimate that this is the largest.
A Cottage A Cottage at the turning space, Clate, Whalsay
A Cottage
A Cottage at the turning space, Clate, Whalsay
Rocks and Old Iron, Loch of Huxter A beautiful small loch near Symbister. The thing on the rock looks like part of an old stove.
Rocks and Old Iron, Loch of Huxter
A beautiful small loch near Symbister. The thing on the rock looks like part of an old stove.
Loch of Huxter
Loch of Huxter
Whalsay Leisure Centre
Whalsay Leisure Centre
View at Symbister The eastern part of Symbister. Sodom, according to the map.
View at Symbister
The eastern part of Symbister. Sodom, according to the map.
Symbister House A mansion built in 1823 for the owners of Whalsay, the Bruce family. According to this article <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbister_House" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbister_House">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> they were an obnoxious bunch.
The house is now used by Whalsay secondary school.
Symbister House
A mansion built in 1823 for the owners of Whalsay, the Bruce family. According to this article LinkExternal link they were an obnoxious bunch. The house is now used by Whalsay secondary school.
Huxter Loch, bridge across the outflow burn
Huxter Loch, bridge across the outflow burn
Huxter Loch, east shore View to an area known locally as the 'Clease Holm'
Huxter Loch, east shore
View to an area known locally as the 'Clease Holm'
Symbister: the post office This general store houses Symbister Post Office, since 5 or 10 years ago the only office on the island after the one at Brough closed.
Symbister: the post office
This general store houses Symbister Post Office, since 5 or 10 years ago the only office on the island after the one at Brough closed.
Symbister: postbox № ZE2 100 This large Elizabeth II-reign postbox stands outside the post office (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2757136">HU5461 : Symbister: the post office</a>) and is one of two postboxes on Whalsay. It is emptied on, weekdays and Saturdays, at 8:45am.
Symbister: postbox № ZE2 100
This large Elizabeth II-reign postbox stands outside the post office (HU5461 : Symbister: the post office) and is one of two postboxes on Whalsay. It is emptied on, weekdays and Saturdays, at 8:45am.
Whalsay: Loch of Huxter A bedraggled sheep stands by the side-turning to the hamlet of Huxter on a horribly wet day, as we look beyond towards the loch and the lane winding towards Symbister.
Whalsay: Loch of Huxter
A bedraggled sheep stands by the side-turning to the hamlet of Huxter on a horribly wet day, as we look beyond towards the loch and the lane winding towards Symbister.
Whalsay: a bedraggled sheep This chap features in the picture <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2757149">HU5562 : Whalsay: Loch of Huxter</a>, and has a quizzical look as if he wonders why anyone would be passing these parts on such a foul, wet day.
Whalsay: a bedraggled sheep
This chap features in the picture HU5562 : Whalsay: Loch of Huxter, and has a quizzical look as if he wonders why anyone would be passing these parts on such a foul, wet day.
Symbister: sheep above the harbour Looking towards the harbour from the road leading south towards the post office, sheep grazing in a field alongside the road.
Symbister: sheep above the harbour
Looking towards the harbour from the road leading south towards the post office, sheep grazing in a field alongside the road.
Head of Symbister Harbour Scattered housing forms the village of Symbister.
Head of Symbister Harbour
Scattered housing forms the village of Symbister.
Show me another place!

The Haa is located at Grid Ref: HU5560 (Lat: 60.327002, Lng: -1.0045784)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///prompting.luggage.steadier. Near Symbister, Shetland Islands

Related Wikis

Breiwick Burn

Breiwick Burn is a burn (stream) in southeastern Whalsay, Shetland Islands, Scotland. The source of the stream is in the Ward of Clette, to the northeast...

Holm of Sandwick

The Holm of Sandwick is an islet, located roughly 100 metres (330 ft) off Haa Ness and the southwestern side of Whalsay, in the Shetland Islands of Scotland...

Clate

Clate (also known as Clett) is a hamlet and ward in southwestern Whalsay in the parish of Nesting in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. == Geography... ==

Whalsay

Whalsay (Old Norse: Hvalsey or Hvals-øy, meaning 'Whale Island') is the sixth largest of the Shetland Islands in the north of Scotland. == Geography... ==

Have you been to The Haa?

Leave your review of The Haa below (or comments, questions and feedback).