St Ninian's Isle, near Bigton

Summary

Head across Shetland's most celebrated beach - the spectacular sand tombolo that links Mainland Shetland to St Ninian's Isle - before embarking on a coastal round of this beautiful island. There is some fine cliff scenery, and the remains of St Ninian's chapel - where Shetland's most precious archaeological find was made.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Beach, then mostly grassy clifftop walking on St Ninian's Isle, some boggy patches.

Getting there

Start

St Ninian's beach tombolo car park - signed from Bigton.

Public Transport

Bigton is the nearest bus stop, served by a link bus.

Start Grid Ref

HU374208

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.75km / 3.5 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 110m (Profile)

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Explorer 466 - Shetland - Mainland South

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Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

Take the signed lane from Bigton that leads down to the parking area for St Ninian's Isle - seemingly going through someone's garden at one point! As you drive down the hill there is a stunning view over the sandy tombolo that connects the island to Shetland mainland. Begin the walk by passing a bench and continuing down to the sands.

Stage 2

Walk across the tombolo, with a perfect sandy bay on either side. Before this narrow strip formed St Ninian's Isle would have been a true island. At the far end head up the sandy track onto the grassy island, then turn left on the close-cropped grass to begin the circuit of the island above the low cliffs.

Stage 3

Soon the southern tip of the island is reached, revealing stunning views over the rocky islets of Coar Holm and Inns Holm. Continue round above the cliffs, crossing a stile over a stone wall and another over a fence.

Stage 4

From the western end of the island at Longa Berg the route cuts back to round the head of a deep bay, with views over Hich Holm and the open ocean extending west. Pass around the back of Slechie Geo and continue towards the north end of the island, still with good turf underfoot.

Stage 5

The northern tip - Loose Head - is the highest point on St Ninian's Isle, and has a trig point. From here follow the cliffs of the eastern side of the island, crossing a stile over a fence and another over a stone wall. There are a couple of boggy patches along the way.

Stage 6

Eventually the fenced remains of St Ninian's Chapel are reached. The visible ruins date back to the twelfth century but peer through the grille to see remains of the older original chapel beneath. The site had Shetland's oldest Christian burials and was also used before the coming of Christianity; St Ninian himself never came to Shetland but the chapel was rededicated to him at a later date. Shetland's most precious archaelogical find - the St Ninian's hoard - was found here; the original finds are in the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, but the Shetland museum in Lerwick has high quality replicas.

Stage 7

Continue a short distance further to reach the sandy track that leads back down onto the tombolo. Walk back across this to return to the car park at the start.

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