Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland
White Grunafirth
White Grunafirth sits in the north-west of the Shetland Mainland, above the head of Gruna Voe and within walking distance of the dramatic Eshaness coast. The 173m summit is a quiet peat dome that gives a fine close-up of the cliffs and stacks of the Northmaven peninsula.
Quick facts
- Height
- 173m/ 568ft
- Grid ref
- HU 27562 80727
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
blanket bog 55% · heather moorland 30% · rocky summit 15%
Park on the lane near Heylor or Sullom and head north-west over rough moorland to the broad summit. Pathless throughout but the open ground gives plenty of visibility on a clear day.
Terrain
Wet peat moor with belts of heather and the occasional rocky knoll. The ground is wetter than it looks from the road; expect to detour around the deepest hags.
In winter
Storms straight off the Atlantic batter Northmaven all winter; snow rare but spindrift, hail and salt are constant companions. Daylight is short and tracks turn to mire.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow14h 59m
- Edinburgh13h 35m
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 469N
Mobile signal: Poor. Dead zone for all networks on this Shetland summit.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 03:36
- Sunset
- 22:37
- Civil dawn
- 01:31
- Civil dusk
- 00:42
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
White Grunafirth — common questions
- How hard is White Grunafirth?
- White Grunafirth is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Wet peat moor with belts of heather and the occasional rocky knoll.
- When is the best time to climb White Grunafirth?
- The standard good-weather months for White Grunafirth 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 White Grunafirth?
- 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 White Grunafirth?
- Poor. Dead zone for all networks on this Shetland summit.
- How do I get the ferry to White Grunafirth?
- 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 White Grunafirth safe in winter?
- Storms straight off the Atlantic batter Northmaven all winter; snow rare but spindrift, hail and salt are constant companions. Daylight is short and tracks turn to mire.
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