Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland
Faan Hill
Faan Hill rises from the interior of Northmavine, the rugged north-western limb of the Shetland Mainland. The 171m summit looks south over Sullom Voe and north towards the cliffs of Ronas Voe; for a small hill it has a remarkably wide outlook.
Quick facts
- Height
- 171.3m/ 562ft
- Grid ref
- HU 34466 80189
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
blanket bog 55% · heather moorland 30% · rocky summit 15%
Start from the A970 lay-by near Mavis Grind or from the lane towards Gunnister and pick a line up through heather and peat to the summit. The walk is short but committing in poor visibility.
Terrain
Mostly heather with peat hags in the hollows and ribs of granite near the top. Sphagnum patches mark the boggiest sections — they are usually obvious once you know what to look for.
In winter
Mavis Grind, the narrow neck of land below, gets battered by both Atlantic and North Sea storms simultaneously. The hill itself stays snow-free most of the season but is rarely calm.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow14h 8m
- Edinburgh13h 41m
Ferry access
Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland)
- Crossing time720 min
- Summer sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead14 days
A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.
Book on ferry operator ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 1, OS Landranger 2, OS Landranger 3, OS Explorer 469N
Mobile signal: Poor. West Shetland interior; EE fails. Lerwick is the nearest reliable coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 03:36
- Sunset
- 22:37
- Civil dawn
- 01:31
- Civil dusk
- 00:41
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Faan Hill — common questions
- How hard is Faan Hill?
- Faan Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Mostly heather with peat hags in the hollows and ribs of granite near the top.
- When is the best time to climb Faan Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Faan Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Faan Hill?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Faan Hill?
- Poor. West Shetland interior; EE fails. Lerwick is the nearest reliable coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Faan Hill?
- Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland). Daily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct) in summer; Daily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.
- Is Faan Hill safe in winter?
- Mavis Grind, the narrow neck of land below, gets battered by both Atlantic and North Sea storms simultaneously. The hill itself stays snow-free most of the season but is rarely calm.
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