Aywick

Settlement in Shetland

Scotland

Aywick

Ness of Queyon Taken on the B9081 as we pass through East Yell, Yell, Shetland, I am looking across Otters Wick to the Ness of Queyon, the croft of the same name and the Hill of Queyon. The cliffs of Hascosay and Mid Yell can be seen beyond. — Ness of Queyon Credit: Carroll Pierce

Aywick is a small village located on the island of Shetland, which is part of Scotland, United Kingdom. Situated on the eastern coast of the mainland, Aywick is surrounded by picturesque landscapes and stunning views of the North Sea. The village is characterized by its peaceful and rural atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.

Aywick is home to a tight-knit community, with a population of around 200 residents. The village boasts a rich history, dating back centuries, and its name is thought to have Norse origins. Traditional Shetland dialect and culture are still prevalent in Aywick, adding to its unique charm.

The area surrounding Aywick offers a range of outdoor activities and opportunities to explore the natural wonders of Shetland. Visitors can take leisurely walks along the coastline, discovering beautiful beaches, rugged cliffs, and an abundance of wildlife. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the variety of species that can be spotted in the area, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills.

Despite its small size, Aywick has a strong sense of community spirit and hosts various local events throughout the year, such as traditional music festivals and agricultural shows. The village also has a local pub where visitors can enjoy a drink and experience the warm hospitality of the locals.

Overall, Aywick offers a peaceful retreat with its stunning coastal scenery, rich history, and friendly community, making it a hidden gem in the Shetland Islands.

Show me another place!

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

Aywick Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.560171/-1.032695 or Grid Reference HU5386. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ness of Queyon

Taken on the B9081 as we pass through East Yell, Yell, Shetland, I am looking across Otters Wick to the Ness of Queyon, the croft of the same name and the Hill of Queyon. The cliffs of Hascosay and Mid Yell can be seen beyond.

Carroll Pierce

East Yell: postbox № ZE2 59

A small postbox alongside a bus shelter at the junction, a short distance from the post office. The box is emptied at half past nine on weekday and Saturday mornigs.

Chris Downer

East Yell: the White Wife

This unusual monument commemorates a shipping disaster in April 1924. Setting sail from Gothenburg, bound for Chile, the 'Bohus' had been sailing for three days when a navigational error resulted in the ship becoming grounded a short distance from here, some 60 miles off her intended course. Within half an hour most of the ship had broken up. Four of the 39 on board perished, and the survivors owed a lot to the men of Yell who acted swiftly when they saw the tragedy emerging. The ship's figurehead was washed ashore in September 1924 and this is what we see here: erected by local people as a memorial to the tragedy, within sight of where it occurred.

Chris Downer

East Yell: the White Wife looks out

Another view of HU5285 : East Yell: the White Wife, from behind her as she looks out across Otters Wick. Black Skerry is the rock in the centre of the picture. This unusual monument commemorates a shipping disaster in April 1924. Setting sail from Gothenburg, bound for Chile, the 'Bohus' had been sailing for three days when a navigational error resulted in the ship becoming grounded a short distance from here, some 60 miles off her intended course. Within half an hour most of the ship had broken up. Four of the 39 on board perished, and the survivors owed a lot to the men of Yell who acted swiftly when they saw the tragedy emerging. The ship's figurehead was washed ashore in September 1924 and this is what we see here: erected by local people as a memorial to the tragedy, within sight of where it occurred.

Chris Downer

East Yell: north edge of Otters Wick

Looking down on the head of Otters Wick.

Chris Downer

East Yell: the Methodist chapel

A small chapel in the Otterswick area of East Yell.

Chris Downer

Small Church

A small church near Otterswick

Graeme Smith

Otterswick: Burn of the Mires of Queyintiptins

The course of this, surely one of the longest named streams, can be seen running across the picture left-to-right and then coming towards us into the North Burn of Otterswick, whose northern bank is more prominent across the bottom of the picture.

Chris Downer

Reused salmon cages

Old salmon cage parts used as fencing, Otterwick.

Richard Webb

Otters Wick

Beach at Otterswick.

Richard Webb

East Yell Hall

Community hall near Otterswick. The balers are lined up at an agricultural market.

Richard Webb

Parked boat, Otterswick

Richard Webb

Mart, Corn Hill

New pens at the sheep market by Otterswick.

Richard Webb

Lady in red studies White Wife

The story of how the 'White Wife' (aka 'Wudden Wife') ship's figurehead came to be at Otterswick is told here HU5285 : The White Wife: an explanation.

James Allan

Stone walls and fishing nets

With the Black Skerry rock in Otters Wick in the background.

James Allan

Roofless building

With the Loch (and beyond it the Wick) of Vatsetter in the distance.

James Allan

White Wife

View of the Hill of Queyon, with the 'White Wife' (an old ship's figurehead rescued from a wreck) on the near shore. The bay in the foreground is Otters Wick, the island of Fetlar is in the background. View from the hill above Otterswick village.

David Wyatt