The Taing

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Shetland

Scotland

The Taing

The southern part of Houss Ness Seen from just south of the summit of Ward of Symbister. — The southern part of Houss Ness Credit: David Purchase

The Taing is a coastal marsh located in Shetland, Scotland. It is characterized by its unique saltings, which are areas of coastal land that are regularly flooded by the tides. The Taing covers an extensive area and is an important habitat for a variety of plant and animal species.

The landscape of The Taing is dominated by salt-tolerant vegetation, such as saltmarsh grasses and sea asters. These plants have adapted to the harsh coastal environment, where they are exposed to saltwater and strong winds. The marsh is also home to several species of wading birds, including oystercatchers and redshanks, which can be observed feeding on the mudflats during low tide.

The Taing's location on the coast provides an essential link between the land and sea ecosystems. It acts as a buffer zone, helping to protect the mainland from erosion and storm surges. The marsh also plays a vital role in filtering and purifying water, improving the overall water quality in the area.

Due to its ecological significance, The Taing has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), ensuring its protection and conservation. It is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, who can explore the area through a network of footpaths and observation points. The Taing offers stunning views of the surrounding coastline and provides visitors with an opportunity to observe and appreciate the unique flora and fauna that thrive in this coastal marsh ecosystem.

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The Taing Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.064795/-1.3178356 or Grid Reference HU3831. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The southern part of Houss Ness

Seen from just south of the summit of Ward of Symbister.

David Purchase

Symbister, East Burra

An extensive set of ruined buildings.

Julian Paren

Small fishing boat and salmon cages off Teisti Geo

Teisti Geo is a prominent indentation in the otherwise smooth coastline of Clift Sound.

Julian Paren

Burnt Mound at Symbister

One of three burnt mounds indicated on the 1:25,000 OS mapping. This was a smaller mound. Often features like this are marked on maps yet are hard to find. A Eureka moment followed after the GPS location was checked. I understand the purpose of burnt mounds is a contentious issue.

Julian Paren

Symbister

This croft site was abandoned in the early 1950s largely because there was no road to it. [P. Guy, Walking the Coastline of Shetland, South Mainland, Shetland Times, Lerwick, 2000.]

Peter Wyatt

East Burra: the Baptist church

Looking across the dip between the two Burras towards this small church on East Burra.

Chris Downer

East Burra: Houss from West Burra

Looking across South Voe towards the scattered dwellings of Houss with the mighty slopes of Shetland's south mainland on the far side of Clift Sound beyond.

Chris Downer

Houss: view from Papil

Looking across the water separating West Burra (our side) from East Burra, on which we see a few of the buildings, one of them ruined, in the hamlet of Houss. Immediately to the south (right) of these is the narrow strip of land connecting Houss Ness to the 'main' part of East Burra. The Clift Hills, on the mainland, are the backdrop, shrouded in cloud.

Chris Downer

Houss: a house with a dramatic backdrop

Looking across to a Houss house, as it were, from West Burra. I haven't been able to exactly locate the house on the map but it's somewhere hereabouts. In the background, a couple of vessels, below the cliffs of the Clift Hills, are catching a very rare bit of sun today - the rarity of the fine weather hinted at by the low mist towards the top of the hills.

Chris Downer

Boats at The Taing

The boats seen here are moored at a yard on the east coast of the Voe of North House, on the small peninsula called The Taing on East Burra. East Burra is a very narrow island (as is West Burra) that is linked to Mainland Shetland via bridges to Trondra and West Burra. The bridge between West and East Burra is a simple stone arch bridge in Bridge End.

Rob Farrow

The Taing and Voe of North House

The Taing is a small promontory of East Burra island into Clift Sound, with the Voe of North House on the right. The little stream entering the Voe at this point is a drain from the small Loch of Houss a few hundred yards to the north. A closer view of the end of the Taing can be seen here HU3831 : Boats at The Taing and of the cottages on the left of the image, here HU3831 : Cottages on The Taing

Rob Farrow

Cottages on The Taing

A cluster of current and former dwellings at the northern end of The Taing, a small promontory of East Burra island. The Clift Hills of Mainland Shetland rise up behind them as a quite dramatic backdrop.

Rob Farrow

East Burra: view down South Voe

Looking down South Voe, the long inlet separating the islands of East Burra and West Burra.

Chris Downer

East Burra: across Voe of North House

Looking across this small bay, towards a house with coastal outlooks both front and back - Clift Sound is beyond, with the Clift Hills on the Shetland mainland rising into the mist.

Chris Downer