Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland
Mid Ward
Mid Ward stands in the lochan-strewn moorland of west-central Shetland, between the Walls peninsula and Aith. The 172m summit looks down on a patchwork of voes and dubh lochs that defines this part of the Mainland.
Quick facts
- Height
- 172m/ 564ft
- Prominence
- 172 m
- Grid ref
- HU 32010 65209
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
blanket bog 60% · heather moorland 25% · grassy summit 15%
Access from the B9071 near Aith or the side road to Twatt, then a pathless trudge over flat peat to the cairn. Distance is short but lochans force frequent detours and slow the pace.
Terrain
Heather and peat moor with numerous small lochans and burns to weave around. The summit itself is a low grass-and-rock crown above the bog.
In winter
Wet and windy rather than snowy; the lochans rarely freeze hard. The biggest concern is short daylight combined with featureless terrain that swallows a faint track within minutes of rain.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow14h 47m
- Edinburgh12h 19m
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 3, OS Explorer 469S
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Shetland hill; no networks reach this summit.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:39
- Sunset
- 21:46
- Civil dawn
- 03:35
- Civil dusk
- 22:50
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Mid Ward — common questions
- How hard is Mid Ward?
- We grade Mid Ward at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Terrain: Heather and peat moor with numerous small lochans and burns to weave around.
- How prominent is Mid Ward?
- Mid Ward's prominence is its full height — 172m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
- When should I climb Mid Ward?
- The standard good-weather months for Mid Ward 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 Mid Ward?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Mid Ward?
- Poor. Remote Shetland hill; no networks reach this summit.
- How do I get the ferry to Mid Ward?
- 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 Mid Ward safe in winter?
- Wet and windy rather than snowy; the lochans rarely freeze hard. The biggest concern is short daylight combined with featureless terrain that swallows a faint track within minutes of rain.
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