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.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

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.

Happy New Year for 2020.