THE WEST ROAD
From Ulsta the main road
follows the coastline, with fine views across Yell Sound with the Ramna
Stacks silhouetted in the far north. The Ness of Sound, just over the hill
from Ulsta, is easily recognised with its distinctive double tombolo. In
summer the roadside here is bright with wild flowers and many birds nest in
the fields.
The village of West Sandwick has one of Yell's best sandy beaches, a
fine place for a quiet summer picnic.
THE MIDDLE
Yell
is shaped like a rough rectangle, almost cut in half by two voes, Whalefirth
and Mid Yell. Take the branch road which runs along the west side of
Whalefirth to The Herra. As you travel along this road, look across to
Volister, one of the many small communities left to decay and ruin in the
last century; when the laird evicted inhabitants from their crofts to make
room for sheep. From Gremister, the cluster of houses at the road end, you
can walk north to the Stuis, and see the Erne Stack so named because Sea
Eagles once nested here.
Leaving The Herra,
and heading east past the head of Whalefirth, the ruin of Windhouse stands
high on the hill to the left. This site has been occupied for over 5,000
years, the oldest remains being the 2,000 year old broch. If you visit the
site, beware that the Windhouse is Shetland's most haunted house! The
communities of Mid Yell and North-a-Voe cluster around Mid Yell Voe which
is sheltered by the island of Hascosay. Mid Yell is the main village on
the island, and has many community facilities including shops and a
leisure centre.
