Island 473 - Calf Holm, South Nesting, Shetland

Calf Holm is a small uninhabited tidal island on the south east side of East Voe of Skellister in the parish of South Nesting on the east side of Shetland Mainland.  The closest settlement is the hamlet of Brough.  Calf Holm is linked to Shetland Mainland by a 100 metre long pebble tombolo and it is probably only completely cut off during high spring tides or in storm conditions.  The island is about 100 metres long by 50 metres wide.

The quickest route to visit Calf Holm is from the hamlet of Brough but I parked my car further east up the road to Eswick where there was a suitable parking place.  I then walked north down a field to towards the sea and then west across several fields, some with grazing sheep.  I had to cross a few fences, as there weren't many gates and it was a bit boggy in places.

When I visited in late August 2019, in addition to grass, thistles, nettles, silverweed and yarrow were growing on Calf Holm, which is grazed by sheep, although there were none present when I was there.  

Looking west towards Skellister from Calf Holm

The pebble tombolo - looking south east towards Brough

Remains of a sea urchin

Looking south from Calf Holm towards the tombolo

Looking south west from Calf Holm towards Garth

Looking north west towards Calf Holm

Looking north west towards Calf Holm

Looking west towards Calf Holm in the distance