Scarva Taing is an uninhabited small tidal island located 50 metres to the west of the headland of Atla Ness, which is immediately to the north of the village of Hamnavoe on the island of West Burra. West Burra is located off the west coast of Shetland Mainland and is linked to it via two road bridges: the first links the island of Trondra to Shetland Mainland and the second links Trondra to West Burra.
Scarva Taing is about 70 metres from east to west and 50 metres from north to south. It is separated from Atla Ness by rocks, which are exposed at all but high tide. The island is covered in grass. There is some thrift growing on it, which wasn't in flower when I visited in mid May 2026. Some of the rocks on the island are covered in patches of orange and grey lichens. The remains of sea urchins were scattered over part of the island. I wondered if they had been eaten by otters or gulls?
