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Holm of Melby

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Island in western Shetland, Scotland

Holm of Melby
Meaning of namesmall, rounded islet of Melby
View of the islet from Sandness
View of the islet from Sandness
Location
Holm of Melby is located in ShetlandHolm of MelbyHolm of MelbyHolm of Melby shown within Scotland
OS grid referenceHU 19375 58350
Coordinates60°18′32″N 1°39′04″W / 60.3088096°N 1.6511905°W / 60.3088096; -1.6511905
Physical geography
Island groupShetland
Areac. 9 hectares (22.2 acres)
Area rankna 
Highest elevation20 metres (66 ft)
Administration
Council areaShetland
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Demographics
Population0
Lymphad
References

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.

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. It is part of the Sandness Coast SSSI, the main feature of which is its rocky shoreline.

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.

Gallery

  • The cliffs of the Holm from the village of Melby, with the southern cairn visible at the summit The cliffs of the Holm from the village of Melby, with the southern cairn visible at the summit
  • View from Melby churchyard View from Melby churchyard

References

  1. Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha 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. ^ 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.
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