Orkney and ShetlandHeddle, John George Flett Moodie
History
Orkney and Shetland
Heddle, John George Flett Moodie
Orkney (Scotland) -- Description and travel; Shetland (Scotland) -- Description and travel
Across Colgrave Sound lies Fetlar, one of the most fertile of the
islands. It is elevated towards the north-east, where Vord Hill rises
521 feet. Hereabout the coast is precipitous and very imposing. The
principal openings are Tresta Wick in the South and Gruting Wick in the
east. Brough Lodge is a calling-place for steamers.
[Illustration: Muckle Flugga Lighthouse
(Most northerly part of the British Isles)]
Unst is the most northerly part of the British Isles. In the south is
the harbour of Uyea, east of which is Muness with Muness Castle. The
principal harbour in Unst is Balta Sound, completely protected by the
islands of Balta and Huney. Further north is Haroldswick, named after
Harold Fairhair of Norway, who landed here on his expedition against
his rebellious subjects. After passing the sandy bay of Norwick and
rounding Holm of Skaw, we reach the northern extremity of Unst. The
heights of Saxa Vord and Hermaness hem in the entrance to Burrafirth.
Rising from a group of rocks, about a mile to seaward, is the Flugga,
with a fine lighthouse, which shows a fixed light, with white and red
sectors. From Hermaness to Blue Mull Sound, the west of Unst is bold
and rocky, with only one inlet of importance, Lunda Wick.
8. Round the Coast—(_b_) Along the West from Fethaland to Fitful Head
A mile or two off the point of Fethaland are the Ramna Stacks, huge
rocks like giant sentinels guarding the northern extremity of the
Mainland. From this point to the isle of Uyea, and onwards to Ronas
Voe, the chief feature of the coast is the high and rugged granite
cliffs, which gradually increase in height till the voe is reached.
This fine natural harbour, lying round the base of Ronas Hill, forms,
with Urafirth on the opposite side, an extensive peninsula to the
westward. The coast line of the peninsula is rugged and much indented,
with wonderful caves and subterranean passages, wrought out by the
action of the sea, the Grind of the Navir and the Holes of Scradda
being the most remarkable. Off the south coast lie the famous Dore
Holm with its natural arch, and the Drongs, resembling a ship under
sail. Hillswick, in Urafirth, is the terminal port of call for steamers
on the west side, and forms a convenient centre for the many fine
trout-fishing lochs in the neighbourhood.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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