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Esha Ness short clifftop walk, Northmavine

For those who don't have the time or energy to undertake the classic coastal circuit of the Esha Ness peninsula, this popular shorter walk explores the most impressive section of the cliffs nearest to the lighthouse before returning via a loch with the crumbling remains of a broch.

Terrain

Grassy walking above exposed coastal clifftops, rougher return can be wet in places; stiles.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Car park at Esha Ness lighthouse. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.5km / 2.25 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 50m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: HU206784

Mapping and GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk starts from the car park at the end of the road to Esha Ness lighthouse - one of Shetland's more remote and yet popular places. Begin by walking north to reach the open edge of the fine sea cliffs, then follow them to the right, passing right around the impressively deep inlet of Calder's Geo. Many seabirds are present here, including puffins.

Stage 2

On the far side of the geo return to the clifftops above the sea and continue northwards along a coastline rich with stacks, arches, caves and geos.

Stage 3

Keep left of the freshwater Lochs of Drigeo, then cross a stile over a drystone wall. There are views to a big sea cave at the base of Moo Stack, and an arch further to the right.

Stage 4

Further on the Holes of Scraada is reached by bearing just to the right (in the direction of the distant house at Priesthoulland). This consists of a large blow hole, a collapsed sea cave, still connected to the sea by a tunnel. This is the furthest point of this shorter walk around the Esha Ness cliffs; follow the burn from the opposite end of blowhole to the shores of the Loch of Houlland, then turn right.

Stage 5

The tumbledown ruins out on a promontory projecting into the loch are all that remains of an iron age broch or defensive tower. Continue to the right by the loch, crossing a stile over a drystone wall. As the shore of the loch turns southeast leave it and aim southwest, aiming to pass on the near side of the Lochs of Dridgeo.

Stage 6

From here cut back to the head of Calder's Geo and then along its southern side to return to the lighthouse at the start. The 12m high square tower was built between 1925 and 1929 by David Alan Stevenson; it is still in use, though - like all Scotland's other lighthouses - it is now automated.

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