Geological Highlights of Shetland

Starting at the south, Sumburgh Head with its high cliffs is an amazing place to visit. It is well known for it seabirds, they have a good beak for geology suitable for nesting on. The layers of sandstone erode at different rates creating ledges that they can nest on and the sandstone also breaks down to form soils that the Puffins can burrow into on the less vertical slopes. Looking at the cliffs to the west of the car park you can see how the rock layers have been thrust upwards from horizontal at nearly 45 degrees by the movement of the earth’s tectonic plates.

St. Ninians Isle has the accolade of having the largest active Tombolo in the British Isles. This 500 metre long stretch of sand connects the mainland with the island. I know it isn’t strictly geology but it is geomorphological! Plus I love the word Tombolo. It is a great place for a walk and looks spectacular when the sun shines. Tombolo should not be confused with tombola, both are Italian in origin but one means mound and the other means to somersault.

Moving up to Eshaness where the coastline at the lighthouse is a cross section through the side of a volcano over 400 million years old. The cone of the volcano has long since been eroded away. The rock here came from ash blasted out the volcano. The cracks and fissures in these rocks have been worn by the sea to create many “geos” or narrow inlets. Aside from the cliff walks, two striking features can be seen to the south. Da Drongs are narrow granite rock stacks that stick up like shards of glass from the sea. Dore Holm (door island) has a huge rock arch that from some angles is said to look like a sitting horse bending down to drink.

Moving to the very north of Shetland, Hermaness on Unst is spectacular as well as being as for north as you can get in the UK. It is an hours walk top get to the cliffs, but well worth it. The huge Gannet colonies there are spectacular but the vertical Gneiss cliffs and the sloping Quartzite islands are just breathtaking. It brought to mind the cliffs of Hornstandir in Iceland, quite a compliment.

There is of course lots more to see, when will you be going?