Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary

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Muckle Roe Lighthouse

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A fantastic Mother’s Day adventure out!

Muckle Roe Collage EKD

The Muckle Roe lighthouse has long been on my bucket list of places to visit, by land, when I first saw it from the sea: an intriguing beacon of light warning sailors of the dangerous cliffs ahead and marking the entrance to Swarbacks Minn. I’ve explored the base of the cliff area while out on an RNLI lifeboat exercise, several years ago, and have seen it’s flash from the sea, at night, while out on a shout, but I’ve never visited the lighthouse by land.

Yesterday, Mother’s Day, was a gorgeous sunny day. A cloudless blue sky beckoned me outside to play, and when I tentatively pointed out the day’s weather forecast for total sun all day to my husband, and suggested perhaps we go out for a walk to enjoy it, I secretly, in my hopes of hopes, wished he would suggest we go to the beautiful white sand Muckle Roe beach, and then perhaps out to the lighthouse.

He did!

I might have squee’d!

So we gathered together a rucksack and provisions, stopping at a local village shop for packed lunch components and headed for the hills.

Muckle Roe Lighthouse Sign

Shetland caters well to walkers and hikers, with many scenic routes conveniently signposted and including well maintained paths (although, I suspect, some of these paths are maintained by the local sheep!). For the walk to the lighthouse there is ample (signposted) car parking near a local B&B and the walk to the beach is just a quick hop over a hill.

Muckle Roe Beach

There is a small stream cutting the beach in half with large boulders you can traverse over the water on. If you travel up this stream it will take you to an old water mill, complete with old millstone on the top. A fascinating spectacle, if you are six!

Muckle Roe Watermill

Muckle Roe Watermill

From there, back to the beach for a spot of throwing pebbles into the sea and dodging the waves!

Muckle Roe Beach

And after that… up! The hill you see in the photo above is called Burki’s Hill and it has a path cut into it.

Burki Hill, Shetland

There is a pile of stones nearly at the top of the hill, so the children had to add a few more to it.

Burki Hill Cairn, Shetland

Some fantastic views already! Such a beautiful island we live on, especially when the sun shines upon us.

Muckle Roe Beach, Shetland

Looking back over Muckle Roe Beach

Muckle Roe, Shetland

Looking forward, towards where the lighthouse is

This location is where the youngest felt the need to have a wee lie down as he was exhausted from climbing up Burki Hill. Hubby laid down next to him, pocket unzipped, and our video camera fell out! He didn’t notice until we were nearly at the lighthouse itself, but fortunately it was still there, sitting in the short heather, upon our return journey!

Muckle Roe, Shetland

Muckle Roe Access Shetland

Muckle Roe, Shetland

Muckle Roe, Shetland

Muckle Roe, Shetland

Nearly there! Just around the corner! This is the place where our youngest slipped and fell and got himself very muddy, much to his dismay!

Muckle Roe Lighthouse, Shetland

Muckle Roe Lighthouse, Shetland

We made it! The youngest is sulking because he’s dirty and wet.

Muckle Roe Cliffs, Shetland

Muckle Roe Cliffs, Shetland

A perfect place to stop for a picnic lunch.

Muckle Roe Cliffs, Shetland

Muckle Roe Panorama

Muckle Roe Panorama, Click to open photo in full screen

Muckle Roe, Shetland

Heading home.

All in all it was an absolutely perfect Mother’s Day. Everything I could wish for – a good 3.88 mile walk (according to Run Keeper), great views, fine weather, my wonderful family and afterwards a gorgeous roast Shetland lamb with garlic and rosemary, roast tatties and Yorkshire puddings.

Absolute bliss!

For more information on walking in Shetland visit the Walk Shetland website. The Hams of Muckle Roe Circular is near this lighthouse.

Mummy Alarm

Follow Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary’s board Shetland on Pinterest.

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Comments

  13. What a beautiful walk, I bet your hubby knew that’s where you wanted to go and had the walk planned for a while! It’s a shame your youngest fell over and so was in a sulk by the time you made it to the lighthouse, I’m sure he cheered up after the picnic though! It looks like there’s beautiful scenery around there, the sort of place you’ll be going back to visit again and again. Thanks for linking up with Country Kids.
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  14. I’ll admit, I just had to look up where Muckle Roe lighthouse is (I’d never heard of it and my geography is shocking) but it is now definitely on my bucket list of places to go. It looks so beautiful; the sea and the scenery especially. I’ve always been a bit of a sea baby myself so I am instantly drawn to anywhere near water. This looks like a really beautiful day out and the perfect kind of Mother’s Day trip.
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