Jill very kindly asked if I would like to do a trek with her to Culswick Broch, which is based on the West Coast of Shetland. It was forecast to be another unsually hot day so we started out early morning. Culswick Broch starting point is just over 26 miles from my house and a 45 minute scenic drive. Rob had also decided to come, but sat in the car chilling and enjoying the scenery whilst we walked to the broch.
"This is one of the finest walks on Shetland's West Side. The Culswick road branches off the single track road between Skeld and Bridge of Walls, then forks, the left route leading to Crogran on the east side of the valley. Take the right fork into Culswick and enjoy spectacular views of the dramatic valley here, which narrows, the hills rising as they reach the cliffs. The valley floor was once a sea loch, now blocked by a shingle bar, creating a fine fresh water loch."
The light was truly stunning first thing and the walk was spectacular to say the least. It was boggy in places, but dry enough to pick your way carefully without getting a wet shoe or boot! I'm glad I brought my walking pole as it really helped me in a few dodgy places such as walking over the causeway below the broch.
The very steep climb up from the causeway to the broch is not funny when you are not at your fittest, but I did my usual thing of not looking up and pretending I was walking on flat ground.
Sitting next to the broch was amazing and the views from here are stupendous. A Bonxie and an Arctic Skua flew below us whilst sitting here! Other birds seen were Meadow Pipits, Wheatears, Guillemots, Gannets and Fulmars. The biggest and most unexpected surprise was finding two Frogs by the cliff edge, a medium, large and then a miniature one a little further along next to one of the many bogs. It looks like the perfect habitat for damselflies, but none seen and I believe they are extremely rare here, although I recall that some have been seen here this year, via some of the Shetland Facebook pages.
Ragged Robin, Bird's Foot Trefoil were in abundance and remains of orchids were seen and I found some Amphibious Bistort in a small bog as we walked back. The first time I ever found this was on one of my trips to Fair Isle.
We were very hot by the time we got back to the car. I got my fold up picnic table out and we all sat and had a bite to eat and a drink which was a lovely end to our walk. At this point we all departed. I stopped on route home several times to check several flocks of waders I had seen on route earlier, but nothing of particular note seen and less birds seen than earlier this morning. Lovely drive back home. Had no choice but to have a cool shower and then sat and chilled with an ice-cream watching the Wimbledon final. One of the best days out this year! Thanks Jill! 😊
All pictures taken with iphone apart from the frogs and Amphibious Bistort
Here are some links to more information about this fabulous walk:
https://www.shetland.org/visit/do/outdoors/walk/culswick-circular
https://shetlandwithlaurie.com/the-blog/culswick-broch-walk-shetlands-west-mainland
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/shetland/culswick-broch.shtml
https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/shetland-blog/culswick-broch-in-shetland/
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