Sumburgh Head Nature Reserve

A nature reserve which supports Shetland's most accessible seabird colony, Sumburgh Head Nature Reserve is situated at the most southerly point of the South Mainland, 1½ miles (2.5 km) southeast of Sumburgh Airport. The reserve was designated in 1994 and is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), which moved its Shetland office into the former support buildings for Sumburgh Head Lighthouse two years later. A road winds its way up to the headland, which is surrounded by steep cliffs. Fulmar and Shag can be seen at any time of year, but in the summer months Puffin can be seen emerging from their clifftop burrows, along with Guillemot, Kittiwake and Razorbill. Visitors can look out from the base of the lighthouse to Sumburgh Roost, which is said to be the best place in Shetland to spot dolphins, porpoises and whales.


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