Shetland Local Landscape Designation Review: Final Report

Landscape Character Unit
23 Gunnister
Criteria Rank Description
Representativeness
High
Indented coast with strong sense of place.
Rarity High Distinctive red rock outcrops and low rocky hills enclose Gunnister Voe.
Mavis Grind is an unusual feature and a Shetland landmark
Intactness Very high An intact rural landscape except for the main road and its crash barriers.
Scenic qualities Very high Attractive framed views along voes with historic interest and geological
features. Variety of colours and textures. Visual diversity of rocky landform.
Enjoyment Medium Recreational access is informal within this landscape and there are few
destinations.
Cultural qualities High Abundant relics of the crofting past including water mills, planticrubs etc.
Associations with the ‘Gunnister Man’.
Naturalness Very high A semi-wild landscape of islands, voes and rocky outcrops. Sense of
remoteness at the ends of the side roads.
Rural pattern High Although largely relict, the field pattern in areas of former cultivation is
largely intact.
Views Very high Long outward views along and around the coast, including Hillswick, Papa
Stour and Foula. Hillswick Lighthouse is prominent closer in.
Unranked criteria
Landscape n/a
Generally consistent, though the inland areas along the main road do not
consistency
Landscape
relationships
Other
designations
n/a
n/a
have the scenic qualities of the coast.
Linked with a series of coastal landscapes around the west coast of
Northmavine and the north coast of west Mainland, particularly LCUs 22 and
24
Clothister Hill Quarry SSSI