Holm of Melby

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Holm of Melby
Meaning of namesmall, rounded islet of Melby
Holm of Melby (geograph 3795159).jpg
View of the islet from Sandness
Location
Shetland UK relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Holm of Melby
Holm of Melby shown within Scotland
OS grid reference HU 19375 58350
Coordinates 60°18′32″N1°39′04″W / 60.3088096°N 1.6511905°W / 60.3088096; -1.6511905
Physical geography
Island group Shetland
Areac. 9 hectares (22.2 acres)
Area rankna [1]
Highest elevation20 metres (66 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Country Scotland
Council area Shetland
Demographics
Population0
Lymphad3.svg
References [2] [3]

Holm of Melby is a small uninhabited island off Mainland, Shetland in Scotland. It lies in the Sound of Papa just offshore from the settlement of Melby in the district of Sandness. [3] [4]

Contents

It is less than a mile offshore from Melby and south-east of the nearby islands of Forewick Holm and Papa Stour. There is a natural arch on the north-west tip of the coastline. [3] It is part of the Sandness Coast SSSI, the main feature of which is its rocky shoreline. [5]

Cairns

There are three ancient cairns in ruins on the island. At the site of the south cairn a few large stone slabs are visible protruding through the turf. There is no sign of an internal chamber. The north-western most cairn, which has no "discernible features" is about 10 metres (33 ft) in diameter.

The cairn to the north-east is 19.5 metres (64 ft) in diameter and about 1.2 metres (4 ft) high. A group of three large stones suggest the presence of a chamber. [6]

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References

  1. Area and population ranks: there are c.300 islands over 20ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
  2. Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. p. 451. ISBN   978-1-84195-454-7.
  3. 1 2 3 Ordnance Survey. OS Maps Online (Map). 1:25,000. Leisure.
  4. "Holm of Melby". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  5. "Sandness Coast SSSI". Nature Scot. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  6. "Holm of Melby". Canmore. Retrieved 18 February 2024.