Barta Skeo

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Shetland

Scotland

Barta Skeo

Grimister: postbox № ZE2 37 A small postbox on the main A968, at the turning for Grimister. It is emptied at 10:15 on weekday and Saturday mornings.

Whale Firth is in the background. — Grimister: postbox № ZE2 37 Credit: Chris Downer

Barta Skeo is a scenic coastal area located in the Shetland Islands, which are part of Scotland. It is characterized by its unique landscape of coastal marshes and saltings. The area is known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife.

The marshes in Barta Skeo are low-lying wetlands that are regularly flooded by tidal waters. They are home to a variety of plants and animals that have adapted to this unique habitat. The marshes are covered in lush vegetation, including reeds, grasses, and sedges, which provide important nesting and feeding grounds for many bird species. Visitors to the area can spot a wide range of birdlife, including waders such as curlews, lapwings, and redshanks.

The saltings in Barta Skeo are salt marshes that are located closer to the coastline. These areas are covered in salty mud and are regularly exposed to the tides. They support a different set of plant species, including samphire and sea lavender, which are able to tolerate the high salt content in the soil. These plants, in turn, attract a variety of insects and other invertebrates.

Barta Skeo is not only a haven for wildlife but also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline and the North Sea. The area is a popular destination for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and photographers who come to enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of this coastal marsh and saltings.

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Barta Skeo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.608615/-1.1162172 or Grid Reference HU4892. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Grimister: postbox № ZE2 37

A small postbox on the main A968, at the turning for Grimister. It is emptied at 10:15 on weekday and Saturday mornings. Whale Firth is in the background.

Chris Downer

Windhouse - Spooky ruin

Windhouse in the middle of the island of Yell is reckoned to be the most haunted building in Shetland - and I have to say, that even in daylight, it looks the part !

Rob Farrow

Whale Firth pier

In the background is the ruin at Barta Skeo and the Hill of Windhouse.

Mike Pennington

Whale Firth pier

The former crofts at Vollister are in the background.

Mike Pennington

Windhouse, Mid Yell

Mike Pennington

Windhouse

Windhouse is reputed to be the most haunted house in Shetland. It certainly looks dreich on this wet Tuesday in September.

Mark Stockdale

Mid Yell: Windhouse ruin

An imposing old ruin on the hillside as one passes on the A970.

Chris Downer

Misty Moorland View

A misty moorland view on the west side of the fence near the Hill of Camb.

Rude Health

Mid Yell: the A968 heads for West Sandwick

Looking along the A968, the main road across the island from Ulsta to Gutcher. It is along this stretch that the road crosses from the west side of Yell to the east.

Chris Downer

A view towards Mid Yell Voe

John Lucas

Willie Johnson Memorial

Jazz and Folk Guitarist Peerie Willie Johnson (1920 - 2007) is remembered with this memorial near his birthplace. "'Peerie' Willie Johnson was undoubtedly one of Shetlands most revered and well-known musicians, unquestionably one of the islands finest and most original guitarists, and it would not be overplaying the statement to say that he was recognised as such the world over." (Shetland-Music) Link

Des Blenkinsopp

Burn of Bouster

Des Blenkinsopp

The Burn of Bouster (or Buster) Valley

Or was it Bousta? There seems to be a choice of spellings here. Buster seems strangely English amongst all the Shetland names, but who am I to say....

Des Blenkinsopp

Bus Shelter at the Junction

Where the road from Mid Yell meets the main road. These shelters are often equipped with assorted recycled chairs. A comfortable office type leather swivel chair in this instance.

Des Blenkinsopp

Probably Quite Wet

Judging by the number of small streams and ditches shown on the 1:25000 map in this green looking valley, it's probably a bit boggy. All draining into Mid Yell Voe just off to the left, this is a small catchment which doesn't seem to develop into a stream large enough to get a name, at least not on the map. It's the narrowest part of Yell here, with less than 1km between the tidal waters of Mid Yell Voe and Whale Firth.

Des Blenkinsopp

Chimneys at Windhouse

Part of the ruins of this reputedly haunted house. The clue could be in the name. A gale blowing across these chimney pots could maybe whip up a fairly convincing Woo Woo sort of noise, like blowing over a beer bottle. Just guessing......

Des Blenkinsopp