A lifetime of Islands: Island 483 - Skeo Ness 1, Lunna, Shetland

Skeo Ness is a narrow tidal island linked to Shetland Mainland on the western side of West Lunna Voe near the village of Lunna. It is a half mile walk from the road junction near Lunna House. The first part of the walk is on a metalled track, which leads to a house and then there are two fields and a couple of ditches to cross. The pebble tombolo, which links Skeo Ness to Mainland, is probably only covered at times of high spring tides.

The island, which is 200m from north to south by 50m from east to west, is closely grazed by sheep, although there were none present when I visited in early September 2019. I spotted daisies, thrift and hawkweed on the island. I also found the empty shells of sea urchins, crabs and mussels close to the shore - possibly the remains of an otter's breakfast?

At the northern end of Skeo Ness there is a stone walled compound. I saw a Shetland wren hopping around in the wall. The compound is marked as a sheepfold on the 1880 6" scale Ordnance Survey map.