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
32 Skeld The coastal parts of this LCU score
highly for their naturalness and scenic
value. These varied coastal features,
including the cove of Wester Wick,
Stead of Culswick and Skeld Voe, are
scenically diverse. The inland moorland
contributes less to the rankings, though
the importance of Ward of Culswick as
a landmark is noted
37 Lunna Ness and
Dury Voe
This LCU scores particularly highly for
scenic quality and rural pattern, with the
area around Vidlin Voe being
referenced. The Lunna Ness peninsula
contributes to high rankings for natural
and cultural qualities, and views. The
diversity of the long headland, settled
bay, and rugged hills around Lunning is
noted. The southern area around Dury
Voe contributes less to the rankings for
this area
39 South Nesting Bay The coastal setting is the most
important aspect of this landscape,
contributing to high scores for scenic
quality, views, and naturalness. The area
around Gletness is noted for its greater
intricacy and visual diversity
The area is linked to the similar intricate
coast to the south of Vaila to the west,
and which continues around the Deeps
to the east, with views to the many
islands in this area. To the north the
open moorland merges with the wider
West Mainland landscape
This peninsular area extends away from
the Mainland, and is not associated with
outlying islands, though there are visual
relationships with Whalsay and the
smaller islands in Lunning Sound
The headland of Gletness is associated
with other headlands around Cat Firth
and Lax Firth, although these areas are
of lesser visual interest and do not
represent an important landscape group
The south-eastern edge of this LCU is
already protected as part of the Shetland
NSA. The intricate coast and the
traditional settlement patterns in the
south of the LCU, which are currently
outside the NSA, form a coherent area
for designation. The B9071, along with
the summit of Ward of Culswick, defines
the northern extent of this high quality
part of the LCU
The two contrasting headlands either
side of Vidlin Voe form a coherent area
for designation, defined to the west by
roads, except for field boundaries at
Vidlin to include all of the settlement
setting
The headland area, taking in Gletness,
Skellister and Benston, forms a coherent
landscape, with the inclusion of the area
west of Loch of Benston. The B9075
forms a suitable boundary along the
inland edge of this headland
The south-western area
of this LCU is proposed
as cLLA 6
Lunna Ness and the
headland to the south of
Vidlin Voe are proposed
as cLLA 12
The headland between
Cat Firth and South
Nesting Bay, including a
small part of LCU 41, is
proposed as cLLA 11
Shetland Islands Local Landscape Designation Review Land Use Consultants
Final Report 50 October 2011