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Home » Adventure » Shetland » The Eigg, Yell, Shetland

The Eigg, Yell, Shetland

Published on February 28, 2016 by Elizabeth Atia 52 Comments
Last Updated on July 23, 2017

The Eigg, Yell, Shetland

I had one of those I love my life moments yesterday.

That’s me standing on the edge of that cliff you see there.

Taking advantage of the predicted fine weather and the long school holiday weekend, DD and I packed a packed lunch, gathered our provisions and met up with a friend for some coastal exploration.

We went to explore a stretch of coast on the island of Yell, one of Shetland’s outer islands. If I am to be completely honest, Yell has always just been a dull stretch of flat road with unappealing flat hills on either side that we drive through really quickly in order to catch the next ferry to the island of Unst, Britain’s most northerly inhabited island (and one of my most favourite places on the planet!).

The Eigg, Yell, Shetland

My opinion of it has changed, substantially, now. Maybe it was the blanket of snow covering the dull brown hues, or the fact we deviated from the main road for the first time ever, or the fact after spending a few hours trekking through boggy snow covered heathery hills, we stumbled across The Eigg.

The Eigg is a promontory on the north west of the island pointing due west. I’m a bit rubbish when it comes to estimating the height of cliffs – but I reckon this was at least 100 feet of sheer drop into the sea.

The feeling, standing on the edge of this cliff was that of sheer exhilaration and delight to be alive mixed with a touch of vertigo. Just a touch.

The Eigg, Yell, Shetland

Madam was most unimpressed by the cliffs though, and chose to spend her time trying to break the ice in a small pond with her walking stick! Dramatic sea cliffs and stunning views? Never mind – there is ice to break!

If you want to read more about this winter walk and see more photographs of the area, visit my blog post on Shetland.org (you’ll love it, honest!). You can also see some photographs of the small island group you see in the background in the second photo above on my Fethaland post.

I do so love my island home!

#CheckOutThatView

Monkey and Mouse

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Filed Under: Adventure, Shetland Tagged With: Shetland, The Eigg, Yell

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Comments

  1. Camilla says

    March 23, 2016 at 11:56 am

    It must be such a joy to have all this breathtaking scenery all around you:-)

    Reply
  2. Candace says

    March 9, 2016 at 11:04 am

    I’ve been admiring these photos of Instagram the last few days and wishing I could be transported to there. I love the sea especially in the winter months

    Reply
  3. Candace says

    March 9, 2016 at 11:04 am

    I’ve been admiring these photos of Instagram the last few days and wishing I could be transported to there. I love the sea especially in the winter months

    Reply
  4. Swapna says

    March 7, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    These pictures are UNREAL! Very Interesting! Would love to see your posts in the Practical Mondays Link Up:)

    Reply
  5. Su {Ethan & Evelyn} says

    March 7, 2016 at 1:42 am

    Wow! That is one epic cliff hanger shot! Congratulations on the #CheckOutThatView winner.

    Reply
  6. Jenny Eaves says

    March 6, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    That view is absolutely stunning! The more photos you share of the Shetland, the more I want to visit! I love the cliffs and can’t imagine how amazing it must be to walk along the island with such a sheer drop. Typical child to prefer frozen puddles, I think mine would be the same! Will check out your article too. Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x

    Reply
  7. Emma Day says

    March 6, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    The only thing better than the sheer drama of this photo, is the “I love my life” quote you’ve accompanied it with. You’ve got a mention in this week’s #CheckOutThatView as this was my favourite photo of last weeks linkups. New linky is live now. Thanks for joining in. x

    Reply
  8. Chloe says

    March 5, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    I adore your pictures. They are seriously stunning. I can see why this was one of those ‘I love life’ moments. I’d definitely love to stand where you are. The view is breathtaking! What a day out! You live in such an incredible place. Thank you so much for sharing this with #whatevertheweather !! I’ve also featured one of your pictures on #curiouslittleexplorers this week. It’s so beautiful. x

    Reply
  9. PitterPatterTravelers says

    March 5, 2016 at 6:07 pm

    Great photos! Isn’t it funny? My children would rather break the ice and stomp in puddles too, well unless I’m willing to let them jump in the water! #whatevertheweather

    Reply
  10. Packing my Suitcase says

    March 4, 2016 at 11:56 am

    WOW, stunning photos Elizabeth! You are so lucky to live in a region so beautiful like this.
    I reckon is always good to have a “I love my life” moment once in a while 😀
    I hope to visit this part of the world someday!

    Happy to have you on #MondayEscapes 😀

    Reply
  11. Trish @ Mum's Gone To says

    March 3, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    What a perfect day to explore the cliff – I feel dizzy just looking at the photo but can imagine how exhilarating it was.

    Reply
  12. Lucy Melissa Smith (Hello Beautiful Bear) says

    March 2, 2016 at 11:36 pm

    Such beautiful photos! I would love to be stood on the edge of that cliff, to see everything and to feel liberated X

    Reply
  13. Anna says

    March 2, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    What a place! its like the tops of the world feeling even is is not that high 😉

    Reply
  14. Catherine says

    March 2, 2016 at 7:16 pm

    Wow! Such a stunning place. I don’t think I’d be brave enough to stand that close to the edge though!

    Reply
  15. Catherine says

    March 2, 2016 at 7:15 pm

    Wow. Such a stunning place. I don’t think I’d be brave enough to stand that close to the edge though!

    Reply
  16. Johanna Bradley says

    March 2, 2016 at 4:37 pm

    Yeah, let’s break ice! 🙂 🙂 It’ll take my mind off looking down. Awesome views, though!
    #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  17. Rosie @Eco-Gites of Lenault says

    March 2, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    Such completely different scenery to what I am used to here in Normandy … and very beautiful. I would still miss trees though. I like trees! #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  18. Emma says

    March 2, 2016 at 8:52 am

    Wow what amazing photos. So beautiful but just looking at them gave me a touch of vertigo so I don’t know how you did it standing there! #whatevertheweather

    Reply
  19. Jenni - Odd Socks and Lollipops says

    March 1, 2016 at 10:10 pm

    Oh my word! What amazing photographs, now this is somewhere I really need to visit!!

    Reply
  20. Sonia Constant says

    March 1, 2016 at 3:12 pm

    Awesome photo. That cliff looks huge compared to the tiny you! Great photos.

    Reply
  21. TinyExpats says

    March 1, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    This is just brilliant! I still haven’t visit any of the cliff like that, so not sure what my vertigo would tell me, but I’d love to give it a go! #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  22. Zena's Suitcase says

    March 1, 2016 at 10:24 am

    I would love to stand on that cliff too. What an amazing view. It would give you a whole new perspective on life

    Reply
  23. Ruth - Tanama Tales says

    March 1, 2016 at 5:18 am

    I can get your feeling just by looking at your pictures. I totally understand how one feels when nature takes you by surprise and you just can stand in awe admiring all your surroundings. This year I want to visit more natural spaces.

    Reply
  24. WhatLauraLoves says

    March 1, 2016 at 3:34 am

    Wow the photography here is stunning- what an incredible scene! Fantastic memories to keep forever xxx

    Reply
  25. Elanor says

    February 29, 2016 at 11:40 pm

    What beautiful scenery?! I’m so pleased that I live in Scotland, we are never far away from stunning countryside 🙂

    Reply
  26. Yvonne says

    February 29, 2016 at 10:22 pm

    Wow! That edge of the cliff photo is amazing, although you are braver than me, I think I would be to scared to go anywhere near the edge. What a truly beautiful place xx

    Reply
  27. Ickle Pickle says

    February 29, 2016 at 9:08 pm

    Oh wow – you are braver than me! Stunning photos – what a beautiful place it is. Kaz x

    Reply
  28. The London Mum says

    February 29, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    We haven’t yet explored Scotland or the islands but I would love to. I think it would make a great break away x

    Reply
  29. Zoe L says

    February 29, 2016 at 4:34 pm

    Wow, these pictures are amazing! Love this. looks stunning

    Reply
  30. Laura Hartley says

    February 29, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    Wow I’d never have guessed that this was an Island so close to Britain! The views are amazing, I’m adding this to my bucket list 🙂

    Reply
  31. Smidge says

    February 29, 2016 at 2:53 pm

    Gosh, I could never have stood there! Lovely blog btw, I will be popping back!

    Reply
  32. Grey World Nomads says

    February 29, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    Hello Elizabeth, Thanks for that sensible beautiful post. These moments are so precious! What a stunning place to live. But surely you need warm coats and winter shoes 😉

    Reply
  33. Coombe Mill - Fiona says

    February 29, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    I love how a child’s view on the world differs so much from a parent’s perspective! Mine would be quite happy with a stick and some ice too and I can see now I’d be shouting at them not to try standing on the frozen pond! the landscape is so dramatic and what an amazing view! Thant said I think I’d be feeling more than a touch of vertigo that close to the edge, it is such a vast drop. I always say it but you live in such a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids

    Reply
  34. Samantha Rickelton says

    February 29, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    Oh it looks a bit scary – not sure I could stand near the edge but the views do look absolutely spectacular!

    Reply
  35. Charlie says

    February 29, 2016 at 11:59 am

    Wow, how stunning is that place! We love going out for family walks and this looks amazing, Unfortunately, we are so far away!

    Reply
  36. Gina Caro says

    February 29, 2016 at 11:59 am

    Wow! That top picture is fantastic. Makes me want to get a super zoom lense for my camera. What an amazing place you live in 🙂 #CheckOutThatView

    Reply
  37. Alison says

    February 29, 2016 at 11:04 am

    That looks like an amazing place but the cliff is a bit scary. I wouldn’t stand near the edge

    Reply
  38. Stella says

    February 29, 2016 at 1:06 am

    These pictures are amazing. Would love to experience this some day.

    Reply
  39. Mudpie Fridays says

    February 29, 2016 at 12:30 am

    The photos are really striking what wonderful scenery. I suspect Monkey would be the same – more interested in the ice although he’s quite a bit younger so I would be scared to let him wander, especially as he thinks he is superman!! xx

    Reply
  40. Emma White says

    February 28, 2016 at 10:44 pm

    I can actually feel my anxiety going through the roof agghhh get away from that edge lol no way would you get me up there ha great pictures x

    Reply
  41. Rachel says

    February 28, 2016 at 10:17 pm

    Amazing photos lovely and the view is even more amazing x

    Reply
  42. Ana De- Jesus says

    February 28, 2016 at 9:52 pm

    What a stunning view how can she be so impressed by all that beauty, what is the temperature out in the Shetland’s? It looks very cold!

    Reply
  43. Leanne says

    February 28, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    I’d love to go to the Shetlands! I would be so scared standing on that cliff though!

    Reply
  44. Jessica says

    February 28, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    I really want to go to the Shetland islands one day – they look so pretty!

    Reply
  45. Charlotte says

    February 28, 2016 at 8:15 pm

    Wow what a stunning view! I love enjoying the outdoors with the little ones and this is beautiful, i’d be afraid of the drop though :p

    Reply
  46. Leah Miller says

    February 28, 2016 at 7:24 pm

    Wowsers, this looks absolutely stunning! I have to admit to being very jealous of your wonderful views, and the snow! I saw these photographs on Instagram today, I am so glad to now be reading the post to accompany them, beautiful x

    Reply
  47. Claire says

    February 28, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    The island of Unst sounds like a great place to visit, especially The Eigg, your photos are amazing 🙂

    Reply
  48. Idaintyit says

    February 28, 2016 at 3:46 pm

    You are insane! You couldn’t pay me enough to stand that close to the edge! It looks like such a beautiful place

    Reply
  49. Holly says

    February 28, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    Kids eh?! This is awesome – definitely a day to be glad to be alive!

    Reply
  50. teresa says

    February 28, 2016 at 2:49 pm

    I love the shots and the idea of hanging by the cliff, but not for me. I mean, I love the idea of taking pictures of people hanging by the cliff, but I don’t think I can get that near to a cliff like that. But that’s very courageous of you.

    And I do love the shots.

    Reply
  51. Sam Jeffery says

    February 28, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    Wow! What a beautiful place!

    Reply
  52. Natasha Mairs says

    February 28, 2016 at 12:29 pm

    Wow!!! those photos look absolutely amazing!!! This place looks beautiful

    Reply

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Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home - for now. One eye is always on the horizon. Read More…

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