📌 Scatness, Shetland Mainland
★★★
Right at the uninhabited tip of one of Shetland’s most southerly headlands, almost completely cut off from the mainland by rocky cliffs, the Ness of Burgi sounds remote, yet is only a mile from the nearest road and two miles from the island’s main airport. Access to this iron age “blockhouse” fort is impeded by a jagged rocky causeway just above sea level. This requires clambering across – straightforward on a sunny and calm day, exciting on a stormy one. Given its location this is a ideal last trip before catching a flight back to the Scottish mainland or beyond. The stunning views towards Fair Isle, Sumburgh Head and Fitful Head should leave you eager to return!
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on minor road, south end of Scatness village, Shetland Mainland
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: HU 388099
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 59.872458,-1.307593
🚌 Bus stops on A970
🚗 Street parking
📝 Key info
▶ 4 km / 2 mi | ▲ 40 m | ⌛ 1 hr
Features: 🏰 Ness of Burgi ★★★
⬤ Moderate | Grassy track at start fades as the headland narrows. Rocky causeway (with chain for balance) accesses the southernmost part of the headland and blockhouse.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk to Ness of Burgi headland and blockhouse
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Just a few seabirds and sheep.
Weather: Unexpected sunshine, temperature in low teens with a moderate breeze.
May 2014
Also on this walk
Ness of Burgi ★★★
🌍 Location
📌 1 mi south of Scatness village
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: HU 388084
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 59.858994,-1.308869
❌ No public transport or parking within 1 mi – use walk route described above
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
💬 Quickest access to the blockhouse is by the route described above.
