VisitShetland

Nesting

A Tour around Nesting

Ten miles north of Lerwick, the 'Nesting Loop' side road (B9075) winds through an intricate landscape of sheltered inlets, scattered crofts and bold headlands. There are scenic surprises around every corner.

Catfirth, once a First World War naval air station, is a favourite bird-watching spot and now earmarked as the site for Shetland's first gin still. The Catfirth and Quoys Burns, both popular with anglers, have relics of the woodland which covered Shetland thousands of years ago: willows, rowans - and our only surviving hazel tree.

Catfirth Ha', now in ruins, was the birthplace of the Shetland poet James Stout Angus. Nearby is the Quoys of Catfirth, home of a legendary 19th century boatbuilder, Dempster Laurenson.

Turn right at the Nesting shop and the road leads past the Loch of Benston and its wild swans to the landlocked inlet of Vassa Voe and on to the promontories of Gletness and Eswick. Gletness is one of the most picturesque corners of Shetland and also home to a stud of Shetland Ponies. If you sit quietly and scan the Isles of Gletness with binoculars you may see 'Dratsi', the Otter.

The new lighthouse on the Moull of Eswick has a panoramic view from Whalsay and Out Skerries to Bressay and Noss. Close by lies the Hoo Stack light, warning of the Voder and Climnies reefs in South Nesting Bay. The bay has Common and Grey Seals most of the year.

The coast road to North Nesting passes a prehistoric standing stone at Skellister and an ancient settlement and field system below the Loch of Skellister. From Brettabister a side road leads to the headland of Neap, the starting point for a fine coastal walk out to the Staney Hog and Stava Ness - where Ravens and Puffins nest.

Back on the B9075, the road turns inland from the war memorial at Brettabister and climbs the steep hill of the Kirk Ward. For one of the finest views of the islands, stop the car and walk up to the First World War watchtower on top of the hill on your left. These hills are a good place to see Red Grouse and Hares. You may also meet local folk working their peats.

Over the hill, the hamlet of Billister is another favoured spot for sea trout. A walk along the coast to the east brings you to the 19th century granite quarry used to build the lairds' mansion at Symbister in Whalsay.

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