Gloup Voe and Scordaback, Yell

Traverse the steep high slopes of the dramatic inlet of Gloup Voe to reach the head of the sea loch and remains of an old fishing haaf, the route climbs over rough moorland to reach the small summit viewpoint of Scordaback - an easier route is to return along the Gloup. The route can be done as an extension of the Sands of Breckon route to make a much longer walk.

Terrain

Clear but narrow path on very steep, grassy slope, pathless heather moorland, navigation skills needed.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Small parking area on track to Gloup memorial. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 4km / 2.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 154m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: HP506045

Maps / GPS

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The small settlement of Gloup is reached by continuing on a minor road from the B9183 beyond Cullivoe. Follow the road towards Kirks and take the turning on the left signed for the fishing disaster memorial where there is a small parking area at the end of the track. The memorial, erected in 1981 to commemorate a tragedy 100 years earlier when 58 fishermen and 10 boats were lost in an unexpected storm leaving 34 widows and 85 fatherless children. The boats were mainly open sixereens, traditional in Shetland and rowed far out into open sea to fish for 2 or 3 days at a time from a base fishing station or haaf. It is said that this disaster, which decimated the local community, was the beginning of the decline of the use of sixereens.

Stage 2

From the memorial take the small gate into the field below and head to the left to cross along the top of the field to another gate. This leads on the steep-sided Gloup Voe, its name originating from the norse for ravine. Continue ahead on the narrow grassy path which keeps at roughly the same level keeping to the main path rather than the numerous smaller sheep paths traversing the slope.

Stage 3

The path descends slightly as it passes above an area of flat ground down at the sea. It is likely that Gloup Voe would once have been busy with traditional clinker-built fishing boats, the smaller yoal and the larger sixereen, usually manned by six men each at a single oar, although a small sail would have been used during favourable weather - you can see examples at the Unst Boat Haven at Haroldswick and also in the museum in Lerwick.

Stage 4

The path descends to reach the shore at the far end of the voe where there are the faint ruins of a fishing station and a great view out over Mare's Pool at the end of the high sided inlet.

Stage 5

The route now climbs the steep pathless ground just to the south of the Burn of Hildigill. At the top of the steep section cross the burn at the open ground and aim almost directly north over heather moorland with peat hags in places. The ground is featureless but as you climb views of the coastline at North Neaps come into view on the right ahead.

Stage 6

Aim slightly northeast to reach the summit trig point at Scordaback from where there are great views over Gloup Ness ahead with its old coastguard lookout which can be visited on the Sands of Breckon walk. Head just east of the trig point to pick up an old track and follow this ahead as it descends towards Gloup.

Stage 7

After passing a tiny building with aerials look out for a grassy path leading away from the track on the left, follow this downhill to reach the gate into the field. Re-cross the field to return to the gate below the memorial, and from here retrace your steps to the start.

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