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Shetland: The Sands of Breckon

Published on April 9, 2016 • Last updated December 16, 2024 by Elizabeth

Escape to the enchanting Sands of Breckon, one of Yell’s most picturesque and tranquil beaches.

Sands of Breckon, Yell, Shetland

Nothing beats a beach day, really.

Especially when you’re seven, and you’ve just spent the last hour sitting on a couch playing on your Mum’s iPad while she tosses battle ropes, swings kettlebells, and Spiderman walks up the village hall you’re in. She’s doing some sort of bizarre fitness training you aren’t even remotely interested in.

But afterwards, she asks: “Do you want to go on an adventure?” and you’re all like : “Yeah, ok. <shrug>

And you go to the beach.

Sands of Breckon, Yell, Shetland

The Sands of Breckon are located on the island of Yell, Britain’s second most northerly island at 60 degrees north, and they’re one of Yell’s most spectacular beaches.

On this sunny Saturday afternoon this 290 metre stretch of sand could almost be mistaken for being somewhere in the Caribbean if it weren’t for the cold wind.

There are lots of places to explore at the Sands of Breckon – there is evidence that this area had been inhabited 4000 years ago (the ruins are still there) – and we spent several hours wandering around. We even found a geocache by accident.

Sands of Breckon, Yell, Shetland
Sands of Breckon, Yell, Shetland
Sands of Breckon, Yell, Shetland
Sands of Breckon, Yell, Shetland
Sands of Breckon, Yell, Shetland
Sands of Breckon, Yell, Shetland
Shetland lambs
Sands of Breckon, Yell, Shetland

Overall, it was a fantastic way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon during the Easter holidays. We saw some of the first signs of spring – yellow colts foot growing in the sandy dunes, the first dog daisy of the year (we love these little tiny daisies!) and the first two lambs of the year.

5

The White Wife of Otterswick

Afterwards, we paid a visit to The White Wife of Otterswick, the restored figurehead of a German barque shipwrecked off the shores of Yell in 1924, which now stands watch over the sea where the ship sank.

It was a magical afternoon.

There was a haunted house too, but that’s another story for another day.

 

Windhouse, Yell

Other Yell, Shetland posts you might like

The Eigg, Yell, Shetland

Hike Shetland: The Eigg, Yell, Shetland

Windhouse Lodge

Yell, Shetland: A Bike Ride to the Northern Tip of Britain

Image of the Muckle Flugga Lighthouse Unst, Shetland.

The End of the Road: A Cycling Adventure to Unst, Shetland, Britain’s Most Northerly Point

Category: Adventure, ShetlandTag: beach, Breckon Sands, Yell

About Elizabeth

Solivagant. Foodie. Calls Shetland home.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours

    May 2, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    How stunning. I want to come to Shetland more and more and more. It looks very similar to parts of the Western isles, which I thought were one of the most beautiful places I’d ever been.

    Reply
  2. Life as Mum

    May 2, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    Looks like a lovely place to visit. Your photos are beautiful

    Reply
  3. Jenny - Monkey and Mouse

    April 18, 2016 at 10:43 pm

    It looks amazing! I love how the Scottish Isles all have such gorgeous beaches and the colour of the sand and sea definitely makes it look Caribbean, you could easily take some pretend tropical holiday photos there and fool people! Definitely a great adventure, thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x

    Reply
  4. Chloe

    April 17, 2016 at 10:49 am

    We love the beach!!! This beach looks so perfect. Definitely the best place for adventures whatever the weather. It looks like such a gorgeous day to explore too. Thank you so much for sharing with #whatevertheweather x

    Reply
  5. Hannah G, The ''Ordinary' Mum

    April 13, 2016 at 11:53 pm

    What a stunning beach, sounds like you had a really wonderful day #whatevertheweather

    Reply
  6. Baby Isabella

    April 13, 2016 at 9:42 pm

    What an amazing beach! It looks so remote! The scenery is astounding! Looks like you all had a great time! #Whatevertheweather

    Reply
  7. Emma

    April 13, 2016 at 11:35 am

    Oh what a stunning beach 🙂 #whatevertheweather

    Reply
  8. Sarah Stockley

    April 13, 2016 at 10:04 am

    Wow! Just wow! Such stunning scenery- what amazing pictures too. Sarah #whatevertheweather

    Reply
  9. carly aka mummy

    April 13, 2016 at 7:45 am

    What a beautiful beach! I think we forget how lovely some of our beaches are in the British Isles. #whatevertheweather

    Reply
  10. Sally - My Custard Pie

    April 12, 2016 at 5:40 am

    Those little lambs. Takes me back to a visit to Islay where we walked for miles along spectacular beaches – and didn’t see a soul

    Reply
  11. Helen @ Little Owl Gift Baskets

    April 11, 2016 at 9:21 pm

    What a beautiful place! Sounds like the perfect setting for an adventure. I’m intrigued to read more about the haunted house too! Xx

    Reply
  12. John Milnes

    April 11, 2016 at 7:31 pm

    WOW, This is a very beautiful beach. I love landscape photography and I this beach would be ideal for the type of photography I do. I love historical places too.

    Thanks for Sharing

    John M

    Reply
  13. Emily Underworld

    April 11, 2016 at 1:22 pm

    Sounds like you had a lovely time, and your photos look amazing! I want to go to a beach now!

    Reply
  14. Jenni

    April 11, 2016 at 10:25 am

    What beautiful photos! The beach looks stunning and so quiet. Perfect. #CountryKids

    Reply
  15. Chloe

    April 10, 2016 at 9:40 pm

    This is such a stunning place. I can’t get over how beautiful it looks at this time of year. I can’t begin to imagine how stunning it is in summer xx

    Reply
  16. Life as Mum

    April 10, 2016 at 8:35 pm

    You have taken some fantastic photos! I have heard of the place but never been before. Looks like a beautiful place

    Reply
  17. Sam Jeffery

    April 10, 2016 at 7:03 pm

    What a beautiful place, it looks like you had a lovely time!

    Reply
  18. Fiona Cambouropoulos

    April 10, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    I love having a little insight into life up there on the Scottish islands. That beach is stunning and very Caribbean looking. It is funny how you can’t read the temperature on a beach photo except for people in coats and hoods! A lovely place to go exploring. Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids

    Reply
  19. Jax Blunt

    April 10, 2016 at 12:13 pm

    This is just beautiful! And so serene.

    Reply
  20. WhatLauraLoves

    April 10, 2016 at 4:06 am

    WOW this beach looks absolutely incredible, I can’t believe how beautiful the sea looks. I’d love to visit here xxx

    Reply
  21. Sarah Bailey

    April 10, 2016 at 1:09 am

    Wow what an absolutely beautiful beach – I wish we lived nearer one, there is something amazing about a day by the sea. x

    Reply
  22. Helen

    April 9, 2016 at 10:50 pm

    It sounds like you had a fabulous day out! I love spending time at the beach, there’s nothing nicer than the sea air.

    Reply
  23. StressedMum

    April 9, 2016 at 10:16 pm

    Nothing nicer than a nice beach and even better when the sun is shining and there is blue sky x

    Reply
  24. Oliver Long

    April 9, 2016 at 10:12 pm

    Wow! So scenic – I’ve never heard of this island before!! Beautiful photos!

    Oliver • http://suedeandsymphony.com

    Reply
  25. Melanie Edjourian

    April 9, 2016 at 10:09 pm

    I love the photo’s it looks amazing there. I’d love to visit.

    Reply
  26. Rhian Westbury

    April 9, 2016 at 9:12 pm

    What a lovely little beach, I do wish that I lived closer to the coast when I see images like this x

    Reply
  27. Rebecca Smith

    April 9, 2016 at 9:07 pm

    Sounds like a fab afternoon! Nothing beats a day at the beach!

    Reply
  28. Ickle Pickle

    April 9, 2016 at 8:44 pm

    What beautiful photos and a stunning beach. Those little lambs are the cutest – I adore new lambs. Sounds like a perfect day. Kaz x

    Reply
  29. Sabina Sher

    April 9, 2016 at 7:50 pm

    I love a good beach day! Now that the weather is getting better, more trips down will be happening 🙂

    Reply

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Cooking up a storm at the edge of the world

Image of Elizabeth Atia making a cake in the Aald Harbour Hoose, Shetland. Photograph by Misa Hay from Shetland Wool Adventures.

Welcome to Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary, Scotland’s most northerly award-winning food blog.

I’m based in the wild and remote Shetland Islands, where I’ve been sharing my adventure-fuelling recipes since 2011.

As seen on Shetland: Scotland’s Wondrous Isles on Channel 5.

“Never underestimate the power of your own story. Life may have taken unexpected turns, but it’s never too late to weave new threads of adventure into your tapestry. Keep spinning those yarns, my friend.

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