Boddam, Shetland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boddam |
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 Boddam, with Dalsetter in the distance |
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 Boddam
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| OS grid reference | HU396155 |
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| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SHETLAND |
| Postcode district | ZE2 |
| Dialling code | 01950 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Boddam is a small village located on the island of Mainland in Shetland, Scotland. It's a quiet place in the South Mainland area of Dunrossness.
Even though "Boddam" officially refers to just a few houses near the head of a "voe" (which is a narrow sea inlet, like a small fjord), the nearby areas of Hillock, Dalsetter Wynd, and Turniebrae are also usually considered part of Boddam.
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Exploring Boddam's History and Nature
Boddam is a cool place to visit because it has some interesting historical sites and amazing wildlife.
Historic Buildings in Boddam
One of the special things you can see in Boddam is a working Norse horizontal mill. This is a very old type of watermill that was used by the Vikings and early settlers to grind grain. It shows how people lived and worked a long time ago.
You can also visit the Croft House Museum here. A croft is a small farm, and this museum helps you understand what life was like for crofters in Shetland in the past. It's like stepping back in time!
Wildlife in Boddam's Waters
The sea near Boddam is very important for marine life. It's home to many sandeels, which are small, slender fish. These sandeels are a super important food source for lots of other animals.
Many different creatures rely on them, including various types of fish, seabirds, seals, whales, and even dolphins! Because this area has so many sandeels, it's considered one of the best places around Shetland for them.
Boddam's Marine Protected Area
To protect this important underwater ecosystem, the sea off Boddam has been named a Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area (NCMPA). This means the area is specially managed to keep its marine environment healthy and safe for all the animals that live there.
Connecting Shetland to the World
Boddam also played a part in connecting Shetland to the rest of the world. In 1870, the Orkney and Shetland Islands Telegraph Company chose Boddam as the spot where their undersea cable from Orkney would come ashore. This cable brought telegraph communication to Shetland for the very first time, which was a huge deal back then!
