Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland
Ward of Scousburgh
Ward of Scousburgh tops the south Mainland of Shetland at 263m, sitting above the famous beach at Scousburgh Sands and the loch of Spiggie. A modest but extremely prominent summit with a glorious view down to Sumburgh and out to Fair Isle on clear days.
Quick facts
- Height
- 263m/ 863ft
- Grid ref
- HU 38794 18790
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 15%
A short ascent from the minor road climbing west out of Scousburgh village. Less than 3km return with 150m of climb — manageable in 60-90 minutes. Heather and short turf the whole way.
Terrain
Sheep-cropped grass and heather with relatively little boggy ground compared to most Shetland hills. The trig point sits on a small rocky knoll.
In winter
Easy underfoot conditions even in winter — drainage is good and snow rarely lingers. Wind from the south can be ferocious given the absence of shelter.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow13h 3m
- Edinburgh11h 27m
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 4, OS Explorer 466S
Mobile signal: Moderate. EE intermittent; better on south Shetland coast.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 03:42
- Sunset
- 22:30
- Civil dawn
- 01:59
- Civil dusk
- 00:13
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Ward of Scousburgh — common questions
- How hard is Ward of Scousburgh?
- Ward of Scousburgh is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Sheep-cropped grass and heather with relatively little boggy ground compared to most Shetland hills.
- When is the best time to climb Ward of Scousburgh?
- The standard good-weather months for Ward of Scousburgh 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 Ward of Scousburgh?
- 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 Ward of Scousburgh?
- Moderate. EE intermittent; better on south Shetland coast.
- How do I get the ferry to Ward of Scousburgh?
- 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 Ward of Scousburgh safe in winter?
- Easy underfoot conditions even in winter — drainage is good and snow rarely lingers. Wind from the south can be ferocious given the absence of shelter.
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