Shetland Local Landscape Designation Review: Final Report

Landscape Character Unit
4 Baltasound and Hill of Colvadale
Criteria Rank Description
Representativeness
Medium
Typical settlement around Baltasound, but elsewhere an unusual landscape of
rocky moorland
Rarity Very high Serpentine geology gives rise to a unique landscape of stony moorland with
rare plant communities.
Intactness High Some larger buildings at Baltasound, and modern housing which fits poorly
into the settlement pattern, but does not affect the wider landscape. The
airstrip at Baltasound is unobtrusive.
Scenic qualities High An interesting landscape, not always dramatic or especially attractive in a
traditional sense, but unusual and with its own attraction as a geologically
rare landscape.
Enjoyment Very high Keen of Hamar NNR is a popular visitor location, with many people coming
to view the unusual landscape, geology and botany. National Cycle Network
Route 1.
Cultural qualities Medium Evidence of historic mining activity, and cairns atop the hills north of Crussa
Field, but overall limited contribution of cultural heritage to the landscape.
Naturalness Very high Valuable geology and botany, most obviously at the Keen of Hamar, but
extending south across Hill of Colvadale.
Rural pattern Medium Much of this landscape is open moorland. This contrasts with the enclosed
land around Baltasound, but these enclosures are not strongly visible in the
landscape.
Views High Very visible from the A968. Coastal and attractive panoramic views available
from the A968
Unranked criteria
Landscape n/a
Consistent landscape, apart from the settled area around Baltasound.
consistency
Landscape
relationships
Other
designations
n/a
n/a
Visual relationships with Nikka Vord to the north (LCU 1) and Valla Field to
the west (LCU 2). Hill of Colvadale forms the backdrop to LCU 5 Balta to
Uyea
Keen of Hamar NNR and SAC
SSSIs at Hill of Colvadale and Sobul, Crussa Field and The Heogs, and Skeo
Taing.