Island 194 - Holm of Copister, Yell, Shetland

Holm of Copister is a small island joined to the south west corner of Yell by a tombolo of pebbles on its north east side.  The tombolo is substantial and I would guess it doesn't get breached or covered by high tides very often.  Another tombolo links the island to Yell in its north west corner.  However this tombolo definitely is covered at high tide.  The area between the 2 tombolos is called Tangi Loch.  Holm of Copister is grass covered, grazed by sheep and the highest point is between 10 and 20 metres above sea level.  The island is about 300 metres from north to south by 250 metres from east to west.

This area is a good place to look for otters.  On my way back to the car I passed 3 people - a couple we had previously spoken to on Unst and Fetlar, who were accompanied by a local wildlife expert and they were looking for otters.  I felt slightly guilty that I might have disturbed any otters in the vicinity, although I hadn't spotted any.  However we met the same couple the following day at Eshaness on Mainland and they said that they had seen 6 otters while out with him.  The only animals I saw while on the island were sheep, including a distressed ewe keeping watch over her dead lamb, which was rather sad.

There is a tiny unnamed island located to the south east of Holm of Copister on which the remains of a broch can be seen.

 Holm of Copister from Copister, looking across Mussel Loch

 Holm of Copister from Yell

 Yell from Holm of Copister

 Tombolo at north west of the island

 Holm of Copister from Yell