Burn of Valayre – A Hidden Waterfall and Fish and Chips
A few hours.
The route
The Burn of Valayre is a stream that tumbles down a steep, sheltered ravine near Brae, where wild native trees still cling to the rocks and a waterfall drops into a deep pool.
After an hour by the water, it's 3 minutes' drive into Brae for fish and chips at Frankie's, the UK's most northerly chip shop.
Before you go
To book a table at Frankie's for about 12.30, ring 01806 522700: it opens at noon (9.30am on Fridays and Saturdays) with the café taking last orders at 5.45pm and the takeaway open until 7pm, and same-day bookings are by phone.
The day
Brae
An hour exploring a sheltered burn and its waterfall in Delting, then fish and chips in Brae.
About two hours
The Burn of Valayre
An attraction
Park at the entrance to the woodland beside the B9076 at Voxter, near Brae, where the Burn of Valayre comes down a steep little ravine towards the sea. Its sides were cut by meltwater at the end of the last Ice Age, and they have kept the sheep out. Old rowan, dog rose and honeysuckle still cling to the rock, among native birch, hazel, alder and willow planted here in 1998 and 1999. A circular path crosses the burn by a ford at its east end; follow the water up to the waterfall and its deep plunge pool. The wood is small, so allow about an hour. After rain the burn runs high: take care at the ford, and on the steep, slippery banks. Look out for stones that glint like gold and silver in the water.
3 min by car
Frankie's Fish and Chips
Lunch
Then drive 3 minutes into Brae for lunch at Frankie's Fish and Chips, the UK's most northerly chip shop. The fish comes from the Lerwick market each day; eat in the café, out on the balcony or to take away. It opens at noon, 9.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, with the café taking last orders at 5.45pm and the takeaway open until 7pm; ring 01806 522700 to book or check winter hours. Dogs aren't allowed inside. If it's full, the Co-op on the main road through Brae has food for a picnic.
If it rains
A wet day is when the burn and its waterfall are at their best, and the ravine is sheltered from the wind, but the ford and the banks get slippery: cross only if the water is low, and keep to the near bank if not. Frankie's is warm and dry for lunch.
Where to eat
Frankie's Fish and Chips, a restaurant in Brae.
Photograph by Peter Young via Google