Island 185 - Fora Ness, Shetland

Fora Ness is joined to Shetland Mainland by a 300 metre long gravel tombolo known as the South Ayre.  There are 2 other shingle barriers, which extend out from Mainland towards the island but neither of them quite reaches it.  The North Ayre is an example of a mid bay barrier and an unnamed bay-head barrier is located adjacent to the north east side of the South Ayre.   The North Ayre is separated from Fora Ness by a 40 metre channel, which connects The Houb to Swinister Voe.  The North Ayre is relatively stable and is covered with a grassy turf mat and a derelict croft house is located on it.

The area between the North and South Ayres is known as The Houb and it contains submerged peat deposits and in situ tree stumps, which have been dated as being c4600 years old.  They were submerged as a result of rising sea levels at the end of the last ice age.

The Ayres of Swinister are a rare example of a triple gravel tombolo-barrier complex, where a tombolo, bay-head barrier and mid bay barrier are located in close proximity.

The island of Fora Ness, which is 1 mile long by just under a mile wide,  is covered with grass and heather moorland.  The highest point is 100 metres above sea level.  I didn't explore it very thoroughly, as its was cold and windy with intermittent horizontal hail showers on the day I visited.

 North Ayre from Mainland

 South Ayre looking towards Fora Ness

 South Ayre looking towards Fora Ness

 South Ayre from Fora Ness

 North Ayre from Fora Ness

 

South Ayre from Mainland