St Ninian's Isle
Britain's largest active tombolo, a white sand causeway with clear blue water on either side, linking the Mainland with the small island of St Ninian's Isle.
St Ninian's Isle is connected to the Mainland by a white shell-sand causeway about 500 metres long. It is the largest tombolo still active in Britain. Clear, blue water lies on both sides, and on sunny days the scene resembles a tropical beach. Walking the causeway brings you to the island, where the ruins of a 12th-century chapel stand. In 1958, a schoolboy unearthed a famous Pictish silver hoard here. The original pieces are held at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. A circular trail around the island takes about 2 hours, and seabirds can be seen from the cliffs. Admission is free, and the island is about 30 km from Lerwick.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Shetland Croft House Museum
- Old Scatness
- Jarlshof
- Sumburgh Head
- Broch of Mousa
- Scalloway Castle & Museum
- Broch of Clickimin
- Up Helly Aa