Northmavine

File:Ronashillcairn.jpg

The chambered cairn on Ronas Hill

Northmavine (Old Norse: Norðan Mæfeið, meaning ‘the land north of the Mavis Grind’) is a peninsula on the northernmost part of the Shetland mainland in Scotland.

Summary

The peninsula includes the northernmost part of Mainland, and the civil parish, spelt Northmaven, comprises a number of adjacent islands, and measures 16 miles (26 km) by 8 miles (13 km). Northmavine is in the north west of the island, and contains the villages of Hillswick, Ollaberry, and North Roe.

An isthmus, Mavis Grind (Mæfeiðs grind), about a hundred yards across, forms the sole connection with the rest of Mainland. The coast is indented by numerous bays and consists largely of high, steep rocks. It has a number of high, fissured, cavernous cliffs on the west coast and consists of many skerries, islets, and offshore rocks. The interior has a very small amount of arable land; it consists mostly of rough, rising ground, including Ronas Hill, the highest point in all Shetland.

Esha Ness Lighthouse is situated on the Northmavine peninsula. Tangwick Haa Museum preserves the history of Northmavine. Remains of ancient watch houses and remains of barrows and forts are also numerous.

Note

• This article incorporates text from Wilson, Rev. John The Gazetteer of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1882) Published by W. & A.K. Johnstone.

Related Reading

• Guy, Peter (2006) Northmavine (Walking the Coastline of Shetland) (Shetland Times Ltd) ISBN 978-1904746171

External Links

• Northmavine Up Helly Aa
• History Tangwick Haa Museum