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The white sand and turquoise water of Meal beach below green banks, West Burra.
Shetland Islands

Meal Beach

A sheltered bay of fine white sand by Hamnavoe on West Burra, with a boardwalk, toilets and room for a picnic.

Welcome

Meal is a south-facing bay of fine, deep, pale sand just south-east of the village of Hamnavoe on West Burra, and one of the most photographed beaches in Shetland.

On really warm days it can be busy, which by Shetland standards may mean a handful of other people. There are sheltered spots among the rocks, and a smaller beach tucked among them to the west.

Families come for the swimming and every kind of beach game, and barbecues are common. A car park, toilets and a good boardwalk make it easy to reach, which is part of why it is so well loved. Locals rate it too: one calls it the perfect place for a family day out and a picnic, sheltered, with sand so white that even the cautious are tempted in for a swim on a sunny day. Minn beach, a quieter tombolo, is a few miles further south on the same island, and the two make a good afternoon together.

A short drive awayFjarå Café BarA café bar on the rocks of Breiwick Bay in Lerwick, with windows on the sea, from breakfast to cocktails.17 min by roadSee itTwo people on Fjarå's deck in the evening sun, looking over Breiwick Bay to Bressay.
Before you go

Open at any time and free.

Just south-east of Hamnavoe on West Burra, with a car park, toilets and a boardwalk down to the sand.

Getting there
Hamnavoe, West Burra.
Facilities
Car park, toilets, boardwalk.
Good for
Swimming, games and a picnic.
Where it is

Meal, Hamnavoe, West Burra, ZE2 9LB.

Close byOn West Burra.
  1. A narrow geo of blue water between rocks near Minn, green headland beyond.Minn BeachA white-sand tombolo at the south end of West Burra, with a path on to the terns and skuas of Kettla Ness.3 miles13 min by road
  2. The Scalloway Museum, a long wood-clad building with a red entrance, on a bright day.Scalloway MuseumThe Shetland Bus, told where it happened5 miles10 min by road
  3. Scalloway Castle's roofless walls above its stone dyke, a visitor at the gate.Scalloway CastleEarl Patrick Stewart's tower house of 1599 above Scalloway harbour, closed for now for conservation work.5 miles10 min by road
  4. Lerwick BreweryThe most northerly brewery in Britain, with a taproom and a tour.8 miles14 min by road
  5. The path to Clickimin Broch and its enclosing wall.Clickimin BrochAn Iron Age broch on the shore of Clickimin Loch at the edge of Lerwick, with a thousand years of settlement around it.8 miles16 min by road
Directions
Two people on Fjarå's deck in the evening sun, looking over Breiwick Bay to Bressay.CafeFjarå Café Bar8.7 miles
AttractionsShetland Textile Museum8.9 miles
ShoppingJamieson and Smith9.4 miles
ActivityShetland Seabird Tours9.4 miles
ShoppingThe Shetland Bookshop9.4 miles
The cliffs of the Knab above the sea, thrift in flower, Bressay across the Sound.WalksKnab coastal walk9.7 miles
AttractionsLerwick Distillery10 miles
CafeMareel10 miles
BarsThe Lounge Bar10 miles
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