Our last few days in Shetland were spent at Busta House in the North Mainland. From there, we did three great walks, all featuring lighthouses and spectacular cliffs.

Esha Ness

From the lighthouse at Esha Ness, a circular walk takes you past multiple features. The deep, dark inlet of Calder’s Geo and Moo Stack:

Calder’s Geo

Calder’s Geo

Moo Stack

Loch of Houlland and its broch:

Loch of Houlland and broch

Loch of Houlland and broch

The Hole of Scraada, a blowhole where the ground has collapsed. At one end, a burn runs into it; at the other a tunnel leads to the sea which appears dramatically 300 yards inland from the cliffs:

Hole of Scraada

Hole of Scraada

Dore Holm, a sea-stack with a huge natural arch, which is said to look like a horse drinking, and then back to the lighthouse (with the ubiquitous sheep):

Dore Holm

Esha Ness Lighthouse

Muckle Roe

Muckle Roe is a separate island, but it’s so close to the Mainland that you can reach it by a short bridge. There’s only one road, and when it ends a very pretty walk leads to the lighthouse.

Muckle Roe

Muckle Roe

Muckle Roe

Muckle Roe

Muckle Roe

Muckle Roe

Muckle Roe

Muckle Roe

Point of Fethaland

Fethaland is the most northerly point on Shetland’s Mainland. To get to the Point and its lighthouse, once again drive till the road ends and either follow the farm track or a coastal path (we went out by the former and back by the latter) before crossing onto an island via a spit of boulders and pebbles. Here, there are a dozen or so ruined fishing lodges used up until the early 20th century. On the way back, we visited the small churchyard of St Magnus with some unusual wooden grave “stones” – the one in the gallery below is for a two-year old boy who died in 1898.

Fethaland

Fethaland

Fethaland

Fethaland

Fethaland

Fethaland

Fethaland

St Magnus Cemetery

And so ends our adventure on Shetland. Next stop – Orkney!

(This post is linked to Jo’s Monday Walks. Take a look for some round-the-world rambles.)