28/06/2023 – This is the fourth time I’ve visited Sumburgh Head over the years. There isn’t much of the fort/possible broch to see but the views are nice and I finally met the current inhabitants – lovely puffins (the main reason everyone comes here). Still light at near 11pm. What a place to live back in the day. View down to the sea from inside what would have been the interior of the fort. Canmore entry is worth a read.
11/09/2021 – The walk up to Sumburgh Head. Cliffs are good for birds. Coffee shop at lighthouse is very good.
23/09/2014 – Sumburgh Head
23/09/2014 – Looking over the faint ramparts towards Jarlshof
17/04/2017 – OK the bad news first, on the megalithic side there is little to see. The good news is that there is now a pop up cafe at the top. Along with stones, coffee and cake plays a very important part in my life so this cafe came as a most welcome surprise. It must have one of the best views of any cafe I’ve been to. Having a coffee and sitting by the window looking out over Sumburgh to Jarlshof and Ness of Burgi far below – a fine place to while away some time.
One minor bit of bad luck, this is the second time I’ve been to Sumburgh Head and the second time I didn’t see any puffins in one of the best places for them! I don’t think they like me.
23/09/2014 – A coastal path leads from Jarlshof to Sumburgh Head. Site of an Iron Age fort. Nice Stevenson Lighthouse sits on the possible site of a now long gone broch. Worth a visit just for the view.
Site record for Sumburgh Head
Archaeological history of Sumburgh Head.
