Shetland Local Landscape Designation Review: Final Report

LCU
No.
LCU Name
Which parts of the LCU performs
best against the evaluation criteria?
Are there parts of the LCU that
contribute to important composite
landscapes?
Application of practical criteria
(coherence, size, other
designations, boundaries)
Conclusion
18 Burravoe This area was rated very highly for its
scenic quality and views, as well as
naturalness. These qualities were
primarily found at the northern tip,
including the prominent Ramna Stacks
which form a landmark in views around
Yell Sound
19 North Roe This vast empty area of Northmavine
scored very highly for its undisturbed
naturalness and its wild drama. The
coastal areas as well as the open moors
were considered scenic, though with
different qualities
20 Ronas Hill and
Ronas Voe
22 Esha Ness and
Hillswick
The red granite peak scored very highly
against several criteria, including rarity,
scenic qualities and naturalness. These
qualities are apparent on Ronas Hill
itself, along the sea coast and into the
long Ronas Voe, though they are less
pronounced in the eastern part of the
voe
The dramatic coastal landscape of this
area scored highly across almost all
criteria. The two headlands are the
focus of the particular qualities of the
area, offering very high scenic quality,
and impressive views
The northern parts of this area are
associated with the coastline to the
west, along the northern edge of North
Roe. The landscape is visually
connected with Yell across Yell Sound.
Further south, the Beorgs of Skelberry
form the backdrop to the lower-lying
settled parts of the LCU
This area is related to Ronas Hill which
rises up to the south. The east-facing
Beorgs of Skelberry form the setting of
the settlement of North Roe
Moorland to the south of Ronas Voe
forms the setting of the hill, while to the
north, the foothills merge into the lower
rocky moorland and lochans of North
Roe
The key visual relationships are across St
Magnus Bay. The headlands of this LCU
stand alone, though the intervening
section of coast is strongly linked to the
moorland of LCU 21
The areas of highest quality within this
LCU are already protected as part of the
Shetland NSA. The remaining areas are
not considered to represent a coherent
high quality landscape suitable for
designation
The northern coast is already protected
as part of the Shetland NSA. The
southern area forms part of the foothills
of the visually important Ronas Hill. The
chain of lochans along the Burn of
Roerwater form a suitable boundary
This major landmark and the voe to the
south, together with the foothills to the
north, form a coherent area of suitable
size. The ridge to the south of Ronas
Voe, and the A970, form appropriate
boundaries
Almost all of this area, including all of
the most dramatic coastal areas, is
already protected as part of the Shetland
NSA. The remaining area does not
represent a coherent landscape suitable
for designation
No proposal
The southern part of the
LCU is included in cLLA
1, along with LCU 20
The majority of this area
is proposed as cLLA 1,
along with the southern
part of LCU 19
No proposal
Shetland Islands Local Landscape Designation Review Land Use Consultants
Final Report 47 October 2011