Shetland Local Landscape Designation Review: Final Report

Landscape Character Unit
13 Copister to Stuis
Criteria Rank Description
Representativeness
High
Settled rocky coast, with beaches and islands, becoming more remote to the
north. Strong sense of place, with wide and extensive views across Yell
Sound to North Mainland.
Rarity Medium Tombolo at Ness of Sound. The northern section of this coast is unusually
remote.
Intactness High No intrusive developments of housing, though there are occasional crude
buildings. Road upgrading has integrated poorly with the landscape.
Scenic qualities Very high Attractive coastal crofting with long views west across the islands towards
Ronas Hill. The gentle coastal scenery and beaches, with scattered houses.
Enjoyment High Coastal walks and beach access. The area is accessible from the main road.
Cultural qualities Medium Traditional croft houses and occasional brochs on the shore, limited to the
southern and central part of the area.
Naturalness High Coastal scene of islands and tombolo. A range of wildflowers. Affected in
southern part by the busy main road.
Rural pattern High Traditional crofting landscape largely intact though with some abandonment.
Relict enclosures remain. Best preserved areas are around West Sandwick
and Sound. Many deserted croft houses. Evidence of active peat cutting.
Views Very High Visible from the A968 and the ferry crossing. Long views to Ronas Hill and
north to the Ramna Stacks off Fethaland.
Unranked criteria
Landscape
consistency
n/a
Contrast between the settled crofting areas and open pastoral areas, and
between the lower-lying south, and the more remote north.
Landscape n/a
Moorland to the east forms the backdrop to this landscape (LCU 11), and a
relationships
Other
designations
n/a
more distant visual relationship with Ronas Hill and islands.
Yell Sound Coast SAC and SSSI at the southern extent.
Otterswick and Graveland SPA