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A narrow geo of blue water between rocks near Minn, green headland beyond.
Shetland Islands

Minn Beach

A white-sand tombolo at the south end of West Burra, with a path on to the terns and skuas of Kettla Ness.

Welcome

Minn beach lies at the southern end of West Burra, on the west side of a spectacular tombolo, a narrow bar with white sand on one side and pebbles on the other.

A footpath runs from the car park down to the beach, a short walk, and it is usually quieter than Meal along the coast.

The path goes on to Kettla Ness, a wild headland with seals and colonies of Arctic skuas and Arctic terns. Keep to the edge of the nesting grounds, because birds that are disturbed will often desert their nests. Minn is a local favourite: one islander spent every childhood summer here and still comes with the family to swim, picnic and light a bonfire, and on long summer nights, when the light dances on the sea, it is a magnificent place to watch the sun set. Shetland.org lists it among the best beaches for a picnic with children.

A short drive awayMeal BeachA sheltered bay of fine white sand by Hamnavoe on West Burra, with a boardwalk, toilets and room for a picnic.13 min by roadSee itThe white sand and turquoise water of Meal beach below green banks, West Burra.
Before you go

Open at any time and free.

At the south end of West Burra; a footpath runs from the car park to the beach and on to Kettla Ness. Keep to the edge of the tern and skua nesting grounds.

Getting there
The south end of West Burra.
Walk
A footpath from the car park; on to Kettla Ness.
Birds
Keep to the edge of the nesting grounds.
Where it is

Minn, West Burra, ZE2 9LD.

Close byOn West Burra.
  1. 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.8 miles22 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 happened8 miles22 min by road
  3. Lerwick BreweryThe most northerly brewery in Britain, with a taproom and a tour.11 miles26 min by road
  4. 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.12 miles28 min by road
  5. High cliffs rising from a deep blue sea across the bay from Maywick.MaywickA cliff-wrapped sandy beach a couple of miles from St Ninian's Isle, and usually empty.25 miles51 min by road
Directions
Two people on Fjarå's deck in the evening sun, looking over Breiwick Bay to Bressay.CafeFjarå Café Bar12 miles
AttractionsShetland Textile Museum12 miles
ShoppingJamieson and Smith13 miles
ShoppingThe Shetland Bookshop13 miles
ActivityShetland Seabird Tours13 miles
The cliffs of the Knab above the sea, thrift in flower, Bressay across the Sound.WalksKnab coastal walk13 miles
AttractionsLerwick Distillery13 miles
CafeMareel13 miles
BarsThe Lounge Bar13 miles
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