Hill: Fitful Head
Date: Wednesday 22nd May 2013
Company: Myself, John and Derrick
Distance: 7.8km, Ascent: 320m
Time: 1Hr 50Mins

Yesterday we set out from Lerwick to ascend three South Shetland Marilyns. The forecast for yesterday was correct – a mix of sun and rain/hail.

The ascent of the first two hills involved walking along tarmac tracks from start to finish, so I opted to ascend them in trainers.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

From Hillwell, we followed the excellent track through grassy fields towards Fitful Head.

On the track towards Fitful Head:


Looking back:


On reaching the col between the 158m hill and Fitful Head, we got excellent views of the Yuxness cliffs.

Yuxness cliffs:


During the final ascent, we could see bad weather approaching. Before reaching the summit, I stopped to put on my waterproofs.

Stormy weather coming in:


The rain started as we reached the summit area which contains a radar dome.

NATS radar at summit of Fitful Head:


We skirted round the building to reach the trig point and the featureless summit five metres beyond.

Trig point 5m from the featureless summit of Fitful Head:


At the summit, I briefly climbed the fence for a look over the cliffs. Although not vertical, the cliffs drop from 283m to sea level over a very short distance.

283m drop from the summit:


During the walk back towards the car, I stopped to take a photo of the coastline North of Fitful Head and one looking across to Foula.

Coastline north of Fitful Head:


Foula (zoom):


On returning to the car we drove to the start of the track leading to the summit of Ward of Scousburgh.


Hill: Ward of Scousburgh
Date: Wednesday 22nd May 2013
Company: Myself, John and Derrick
Distance: 3.3km, Ascent: 170m
Time: 50Mins

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

Track ascending Ward of Scousburgh:


During the ascent of Ward of Scousburgh we got fairly good views looking South towards Sumburgh Head.

Looking South towards Sumburgh Head:


A short distance below the summit are a collection of derelict MoD buildings.

Disused buildings on Ward of Scousburgh:


Approaching the summit transmitters:


As we approached the summit, a Ringed Plover landed a short distance in front of us and then kept pace with us always staying circa 10 – 20 feet ahead.

Ringed Plover:


Ringed Plover:


On reaching the summit area we went through the gate at the second transmitter to avoid climbing over the barbed-wire fence. We visited the trig point and the featureless summit five metres beyond.

Looking South from the summit of Ward of Scousburgh:


Looking North from the summit of Ward of Scousburgh:


From the summit we continued walking a short distance South-West to take some photos looking across to Fitful Head.

Fitful Head from Ward of Scousburgh:


During the walk back, I stopped to get a photo of St. Ninian’s Isle which is connected to the mainland by a tombolo.

St. Ninian’s Isle:


On returning to the car, after a quick bite to eat we continued on to our third and final hill of the day, Royl Field. Before ascending Royl Field, I changed into my boots as much of the ascent would be across pathless terrain.


Hill: Royl Field
Date: Wednesday 22nd May 2013
Company: Myself, John and Derrick
Distance: 6.9km, Ascent: 335m
Time: 1Hr 55Mins

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

We parked at the end of the road at the settlement of Blett. We then followed the track to a height of circa 140m before ascending Scroo.

Start of ascent of Royl Field:


At Culter Field there was a tractor flattening out land possibly for a future windfarm (given the pre-windfarm transmitter that is also located there).

Pre-windfarm works?:


During the ascent of Scroo we got good views across to Bressay and Noss.

Bressay and Isle of Noss (zoom):


From Scroo we dropped to the bealach before starting our ascent of Royl Field.

Royl Field:


Looking back to Scroo:


As we approached the summit of Royl Field the ground flattened out providing easy walking to the summit.

Final ascent to summit of Royl Field:


Summit of Royl Field:


From the summit we returned to the car via roughly the same route with the exception of skirting round Scroo.

During the return we were blasted by hailstones on a couple of occasions. On the whole though the weather was much better than expected .