There is a choice of two exits from Walls to join the A971 to Bixter; either take the A971 direct to Bridge of Walls, or take the minor road north to join the branch of the A971 near the Neolithic homestead and field system at the Scord of Brouster.

Walls - Clousta and Noonsbrough

Cycle Information

flagArea
Westside
info-circleRoute Type
Circular
cycle-distanceRoute Distance
38km / 23.6 miles
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​At Bixter there is a shop and toilets. From Bixter the route on the B9071 climbs again to give views to the west over Clousta and Aith Voe and the unspoilt wild moorland and hills to the east. Just at the top of the climb out of Bixter take the single-track ‘dead end’ road to the left for the 4.5 miles (7km) run to Clousta and Noonsbrough. The road starts above the crofting township of Twatt. This place name, like almost all of Shetland’s place names, is from the Old Norse language that was once spoken in Shetland and generally has a meaning of ‘a grassy area among rocks’.

Much of the flattish land through which the road passes has been reclaimed from the heather to make farming grassland, but beyond that there are great views across the ice moulded hillocks and the lochs between. From Clousta it is possible to walk north to the settlement of Vementry crossing by the causeway at the tidal pond of the Briggs; although the distance is only 1.5 miles (2.5km) this is a great walk to experience a wild landscape as well as the chance to encounter both marine and moorland flora and fauna.

The road to Noonsburgh skirts around the Voe of Clousta amid scenery that is simply beautiful with views over inlets, small islands and some of Shetland’s most picture perfect communities. The voes and sounds between the islands are ideal for fish farms and you will see plenty of evidence of this as workboats go about their business from new peirs and jetties.

Return to Walls by the same route or take diversion by the loop road through Gruting which is longer by just over 1 mile (2km) with a climb from Gruting Voe through West Houlland to rejoin the A971. This route will take you past the Neolithic Stanydale Temple which is well worth the short walk over a way-marked path across wild grassland.

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