Hills: The Neapack
Date: Tuesday 31st December 2019
Company: Just myself
Distance: 5.2km, Ascent: 135m
Time: 1Hrs 30Mins
On the final day of the decade I wanted to
undertake a short walk and also again look for wildlife. For the short walk,
I opted to ascend to the summit of St. Ninian's Isle. As the island is
linked to the mainland via a tombolo there was no need to catch a ferry.
Having spent the night previous in the St. Ninian's Isle car park, which
is a great off-grid spot with outstanding dark skies, it was just a case of
get up and start walking.
From the car park I walked down to the beach and then across the
tombolo. As it was low tide, I suspect the tombolo becomes much narrower at
high tide.
Tombolo to St. Ninian's Isle:
Once across I commenced my ascent following a good track.
Looking
back to the tombolo:
As
per the day previous, I set off about an hour before sunrise with a view to
getting a summit sunrise.
First sign of sunrise:
I
visited each of the 50m+ ring contours although there was no doubt The
Neapack is the high point. The Neapack is located at the most distant part of the island.
Heading out to The Neapack:
As
per the day previous in Hermaness, the walk along the cliff edge was nice.
This morning the wind was fortunately not as strong.
Hich Holm:
Following the wet track out to The Neapack:
Hich Holm:
At
a height of only 59m, the Neapack doesn't make it into the Marilyn list or
even the HuMPs. It is however a lovely walk despite lacking height. St.
Ninian's Isle is a
Significant Island of Britain (SIB).
As per the day previous, due to
low cloud, I did not see the sunrise from the summit.
At the summit of The Neapack:
Nice view from just beyond the summit:
Summit from a short distance beyond:
During the return walk I decided to visit the chapel.
The tombolo
linking Shetland Mainland to St. Ninian's Isle:
Information board about St. Ninian's Chapel:
Remains of St. Ninian's Chapel:
The
tombolo:
I
then again walked across the tombolo to get back to my van.
The
tombolo:
Looking back to St. Ninian's Isle:
Alas, despite again driving a good distance after my walk I failed to spot
any wildlife other than lots of Pigeons, Starlings, Hooded Crows, four
Red-Breasted Merganser and the
occasional Greylag Goose.