 St Ninians Isle |  Stenness |  Quendale |  Haylor |  Braewick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Uyea |  Bannamin beach |  Spiggie |  Braewick |  Tangwick |
 Haylor |  Pool of Virkie |  Meal beach |  Sands of Sound |  Uyea |
 Stenness |  Levenwick |  Maywick |  Quendale |  Braewick |
 Sand |  St Ninians Isle |  Maywick |  Cunningsburgh |  Spiggie |
 Levenwick |  Muckle Roe |  St Ninians Isle |  Braewick |  Pool of Virkie |
 West Voe |  Stenness |  Quendale |  Sand |
Beaches
ALL OF THESE LOCATIONS ARE DOG FRIENDLY!
NAME: Norwick beach
LOCATION: Unst (NORTH ISLAND)
DESCRIPTION:
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NAME: Lund beach
LOCATION: Unst (NORTH ISLAND)
DESCRIPTION:
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NAME: Sands of Breckon
LOCATION: Yell (NORTH ISLAND)
DESCRIPTION:
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NAME: West Sandwick beach
LOCATION: Yell (NORTH ISLAND)
DESCRIPTION:
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NAME: Tresta Beach
LOCATION: Fetlar (NORTH ISLAND)
DESCRIPTION:
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NAME: Braewick sands
LOCATION: Braewick (NORTH MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION:
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NAME: Muckle Roe beach
LOCATION: Muckle Roe (NORTH MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: Can be a little difficult to get to and find, but worth the hike down a heathery hill to get there. Normally a quiet beach with a mixture of sand and rocks however, as you will discover from my photos, on a good day you can come across quite a few different four legged friends! Car parking is available at this location (at the B&B right at the end of the small windy road - turn LEFT when you come off the bridge!).
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NAME: Sands of Sound
LOCATION: Lerwick (CENTRAL MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: Popular beach with both sand and pebbels, plus plenty of rock pools which are perfect for scavenging for sea life (watch out for crabs - they nip!). This is a great place to cool down on a hot summers day after visiting some of the locations in town. One of our main supermarkets is only a small walk away, so what we normally do is grab a pack of ice-cream on the way there to enjoy on the sands (hint: you can also buy extra tennis balls here incase you loose some in the sea!). Parking, although limited, is also available at the end of the road.
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NAME: Meal beach
LOCATION: Burra (WEST MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: This is a beautiful large sandy beach located at the side of the road as you head in towards Bridge End in Burra (take the junction left before you end up in Hamnavoe). Ample car parking is available and there are also toilets located on site. This is a wonderful location to visit which features the usual clear blue seas and soft clean sands which Shetland is so famous for. Meal beach is perfectly located not too far away from the local shops and facilites in the lovely little village of Hamnavoe - it may be worth considdering a trip which combines the two locations.
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NAME: St Ninian's Isle beach
LOCATION: St Ninian's Isle (SOUTH MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: This is arguably Shetland's most brilliant beach which also demonstrates one of europe's finest tombolos linking the mainland to St Ninian's isle. It is a must see place and is very popular during the summer for its lovely soft sands and stunning views on either side. Pleny of parking space available close to the beach (although on a nice day, this soon fills up!). If you're planning on visiting here then I reccommend combining the trip with a walk around St Ninians isle - with some impressive views out to Foula on a nice day, you certainlly wont be disappointed with the trip.
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NAME: Pool of Virkie
LOCATION: Virkie (SOUTH MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: A brilliant place to explore which is steeped in history and beauty! We spent hours at this location - watching the planes come in and out of Sumburgh (you're really close to the runway here!), playing along the pebble beach, checking out the old buildings and getting covered in salt water as the waves came crashing down before us. This beach is a little off the beaten track but certainly worth the journey there, especiallly if you happen to be around the south end anyway. Parking is availble at the Ness Boating club.
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NAME: Uyea
LOCATION: Northmaiven (NORTH MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: This is a stunning medium sized sandy beach which is tucked away on the far north/west side of the mainland. Getting here can certainly be a little bit of a challenge for some considering the distance (over ten miles there and back!) and once you're there, getting down to the beach itself can be even more difficult - it involves climbing down a very steep, grassy hill (NOTE: don't attempt to climb down the rocks!). However, the miles of untouched, soft, clean sands which lie at your feet is well worth the trek. The beach acts as a natural bridge which connects the mainland to the island of Uyea. As a result, you have a long stretch of sand with beautiful bright blue seas on either side. Depending on the time of year, you may be joined by several seals during your visit, who are very curious around humans. As "cute" as they may seem, dont get too close - you will lose a finger! The views on the north side are spectacular, boasting a clear sight of Fethaland (the mainland's most northerly point) lying in the distance. Over on the other side, more clear waves which swirl around tall red rock faces which tower just beyond the beach.
This, almost tropical, little paradise is one of the most wonderful places we've ever visited and although the journey is long to get there, its safe to say we enjoyed every step!
For more information on the route towards the beach, click here: HILL WALKS-UYEA
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NAME: The Red Ayre
LOCATION: Raewick
DESCRIPTION: Really unusual and brilliant beach with unmissable bright red sand located on route to Raewick! This is a fairly big beach which is framed with big red rocks much like those located around Muckle Roe. Parking is available at the gate and although it is a fairly "out of the way" location, its certainly worth a visit especially if you're heading west of the mainland.
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NAME: Quendale beach
LOCATION: Quendale (south mainland)
DESCRIPTION: This is a HUGE sandy beach connecting Quendale to Virkie! Really lovely loaction which can generate some impressive looking waves in the right conditions (we caught sight of a surf-boarder when we were there). You can access the beach via two locations - either over the field close to the Quendale Water Mill (see "history" section) or from a marked path which begins just past the "Ninian Drive" housing scheme in Virkie. There isnt much parking space available at either location and its still a little bit of a walk from there to get to the sands. Really cant stress enough at this location to keep your dog(s) on a lead while walking towards the beach! Either way you go, you have to cross over farmland which yes, does have livestock in it. Follow the rules of good dog walking and ENJOY - this is a fabulous location with plenty of running space to keep you satisfied for hours
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NAME: Tangwick
LOCATION: Tangwick (Eshaness reigon, north mainland)
DESCRIPTION: Tangwick beach lies just below the "Tangwick Haa museum" - an old 17th centuary, three story lairds house which has lovingly been converted for the purposes of promoting the history of northmaiven (find out more here: http://www.tangwickhaa.org.uk/index.html).
Its a lovely little quiet stoney beach with nice views and ruins of an old house close by. We also spotted some geese enjoying the sunshine near by. Parking is available - just follow the rumbly road towards the sea!
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NAME: Maywick
LOCATION: Maywick, Bigton area (WEST MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: Tucked away on the west side of the mainland, the area of Maywick is often bypassed by visitors who are keen on spending time on the more popular St Ninians Isle location. This is shame because the beach here is rather lovely! Getting there is fairly easy - just follow the little winding road through Maywick until you reach the end where you'll find a small parking area at the side of a stone built house. From here, the locals have painted on directions and signs which lead you the right way to the beach! The views as you walk out towards the sands are beautiful. Maywick is an unusual location in that it is effectively "split in two". Look towards your right and you'll see strong, bald jagged rocks which tower towards the sky and out to sea. Look towards your left and you'll see green covered hills teaming with birds. Each side is separated by a burn which can be crossed but take care as it is pretty deep! As this is a fairly quiet location, I found it a perfect spot for seeing some of the local wildlife who would otherwise have been scared off by hoards of people. A curious seal was amongst this and spent most of his time watching as we took photos around the sands.
So if you fancy spending some time laying on a beach in Shetland's sunny west side and want somewhere a little more secluded then I recommend you head for here
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NAME: Levenwick beach
LOCATION: Levenwick (WEST MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: Medium sized beach with soft sand and lovely views out to sea (on a clear day, you can see Mousa Broch!). Parking can sometimes be difficult on busier days and usually you end up onto the verge (however, from there the beach is only a minute's walk away). Levenwick is normally lovely and sheltered, meaning the area can get pretty warm on a good day! Make sure you bring your dog water along with their favourite ball to chuck into the sea.
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NAME: Cunningsburgh beach
LOCATION: Cunningsburgh (MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: Small quiet beach featuring sand and rocks. This is a really easy beach to get to as it sits right next to the main road heading south after cunningsburgh. We found it to be a great little place which was perfect for stretching our legs and going for a paddle in the shallow waters. There is also some lovely scenery and if you time your visit right, you should be able to watch the northlink ferry sailing either into or out of town. Parking space is limited but available on the grass down past the small, rubbly road leading up to it.
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NAME: Bannaminn beach
LOCATION: Burra (WEST MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: Easilly one of our most favourie places to visit! The views out from this location are spectacular as the beach itself appears to be framed on either side by large jagged rocks that reach into the sky. Car parking is available close to the location, then its only a short walk down a stoney path to the beach. If you're feeling up to it, then you can combine your visit to the beach with the "Burra point loop" walk to experience even more breathtaking views out to sea and the surrounding islands.
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NAME: Spiggie beach
LOCATION: Scousburgh (SOUTH MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: Reasonably sized white sandy beach which is lovely and sheltered when the wind is coming from the south. We visit here fairly regularly as its a popular place for dog lovers and we enjoy the drive through the tight, windey roads of Bigton (especially when the flowers are in bloom - very pretty!). Spiggie beach actually lies in the centre of several smaller beaches which are fun to visit if you have the time. It is also right next to "the loch of Spiggie" which is a fantastic place to view a wide selection of birds who travel to shetland. Parking is available close to the sands and you can always grab supplies for a pic-nic at the shop in Dunrossness which is only a short drive away.
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NAME: West Voe
LOCATION: Sumburgh (SOUTH MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: West Voe is a long sandy beach located close to Sumburgh head. This is a perfect place to give your dog a final run around if you plan on traveling by plane off of the island. Depending on the time of your visit, you may even catch the beautiful sunset scene which has been famously photographed several times by locals as it settles into the waves. Yes, West Voe has boasted some spectacular scenes throughout the years (particularly in the winter months when the waves are at their wildest). Parking space is available at the side of the road and toilets are located at the east end of this location.
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NAME: Haylor beach
LOCATION: Haylor (north mainland, back of Rona's hill)
DESCRIPTION: In the area of Northmaiven, renowned for its awe-inspiring beauty, there lies a small road leading you to the lands of Haylor. The beach here may not be very big, but what it lacks in size it most certainly makes up for in scenery. You find yourself standing on the shore looking out towards the large red rocks of Ronas hill - the top of this being the highest point in Shetland. This stretches out for miles, merging into rolling hills which frame the clear blue seas lying still below them. As the area of Haylor is a fairly hidden location, I wouldn’t expect this beach to be particularly busy at any point (we did have a few canoeists with us but that was it). Would certainly make a perfect place to set up camp on a calm night and enjoy a barbeque under the towering red rocks of this wonderful place. Parking is available right at the shore line
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NAME: Stenness beach
LOCATION: Stenness (Eshaness reigon, northmainland)
DESCRIPTION: This is a beach well off the beaten track in the vast northern landscapes near eshaness! However, it is a place well worth the trip - not only for its great links to Shetland fishing history, but also for its hidden gems along the coastline... As a result of the island's volcanic past, Stenness beach is covered in beautiful little crystals in amongst the stones and it can be great fun trying to find them! Car parking is available and then its only a short walk down to the beach.
To find out more about this wwonderful location, check out the link here:
http://www.shetlandamenity.org/assets/files/Natural%20Heritage/Geopark%20Shetland/stenness.pdf
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NAME: Sand Beach
LOCATION: Sand (WEST MAINLAND)
DESCRIPTION: This is a reasonably sized beach containing lovely, "glittery" white sands. It's located close to the "Sand Gardens Project" (see
"woods" section) and is fairly sheltered, so can get pretty warm on a nice day. The location is a little tricky to find as its down a little side road, but parking is available on site right next to the beach.If you happen to be around the west side of the mainland, a visit to these sparkly sands is recommended!
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NAME: Braewick
LOCATION: Braewick (NORTH MAINLAND, heading towards Eshaness)
DESCRIPTION: Anyone who has done their research on Shetland will surely know that one of the top attractions for visiting the north mainland is the cliffs at Eshaness. Well, on your way to this wonderful location, you will have the opportunity to stop off at - arguably - one of the island's most brilliant beaches. Don’t be fooled by this place's appearance from afar! At a distance, Braewick beach merely looks like a small strip of pebbles separating the sea and a loch. Getting down there can also be a little bit of a challenge... Park at the cafe, climb the fence into a ram filled field (KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD!) and trudge across some rather slippery/wet ground before you eventually reach the rocks on the east side. But trust me, it is well worth the trek. The beach is composed of vibrant red pebbles which stretch out towards the west until they hit the large rocks in the background. Face southwards towards the sea and you will get an unbeatable view of the famous sea stacks - huge rocks sticking out of the sea like giant's fingers climbing towards the sky. The only way you're going to get better picture of these is by hiring a boat! The beach is effectively split in two by the large rocks on the west side. If you climb past these, you reach another sandy area with a few good rock pools (filled with little sea creatures) and a waterfall.
Absolutely excellent location, and be sure to stop off at the Braewick Cafe for a cup of tea when you have finished exploring! They also have wigwams which you can stay in overnight which are really good fun
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