VisitShetland

Burra and Trondra

Burra and Trondra Isles

At Burland on Trondra the Shetland Croft Trail is a wonderful place for children to see old Shetland breeds of livestock and learn about crofting history and traditional crafts such as boatbuilding.

The Burra Bridge leads to the pretty fishing village of Hamnavoe, with a lovely coastal walk out to the lighthouse on Fugla Ness and along the Sands of Meal, one of Shetland's finest beaches and a favourite picnic spot (with convenient car park).

At the south end of West Burra the roofless kirk of St Laurence at Papil is famous for three early Christian carved stones found in the graveyard. Two of the original stones and a replica of the Monks' Stone are on show at the Shetland Museum in Lerwick. At Duncansclate there's a fine example of an old croft house with a thatched chimney.

A footpath from the car park leads down to the Atlantic storm beach of Banna Minn and on to Kettla Ness, a wild headland with seals and colonies of Arctic Skuas and Arctic terns (please keep to the edge of the nesting grounds - if you disturb these birds they will probably desert their nests).

Lobster Creels, Hamnavoe

On an islet next to the bridge between East and West Burra is the Outdoor Centre, a former school now used as a hostel, ideally situated for Kayaking, walking and nature study holidays. The short turf on Burra's rocky hills and shores makes perfect hiking country. A walk up to the reservoir on East Burra, past a seven-foot-high standing stone, gives one of the best panoramas of the islands. Beyond the hamlet of Houss lies Houss Ness, a promontory with more good walking, rock scenery, seabirds and seals. And, wherever you walk or drive in Burra, there's always that mysterious and dramatic silhouette of the isle of Foula, out on the Atlantic horizon.

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2009 Photo Competition

VisitShetland is pleased to announce the launch of their 5th annual photocompetition.  This year's theme is 'Shetland's Wild Side'.

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2009 Wildlife Holidays In Shetland

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Upcoming Event: Shetland Nature Festival

Shetland's 2nd Nature Festival is set to start this Friday until 12th July.  Don't miss this opportunity to join a variety of specialised wildlife tours with local rangers, photography sessions and expert talks.

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Geopark Shetland Celebrates Shetland Nature Festival

Building on the success of the launch of the Volcano Trail and Geopark Shetland website, Geopark Shetland is holding a number of exciting events to celebrate this years’ Shetland Nature Festival.

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Shetland Museum and Archives seeks information on Emigrants for Hamefarin Exhibition

In 2010, Shetland will host a Hamefarin (homecoming), welcoming Shetlanders from all around the world back to their home islands.  As part of the celebrations Shetland Museum and Archives is developing a special exhibition and are appealing for images and objects relating to Shetland emigrants. (Above photo:  Laurence and Ester Ward on Daytona Beach, Florida, USA, August 1954)

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