Geopark Shetland facts for kids

Geopark Shetland is a special place in Scotland that helps protect and share the amazing geology and natural beauty of the Shetland Islands. It officially became a Geopark in September 2009. Being a Geopark means it's part of a big network of similar places across Europe, recognized for their important geological heritage.

The Geopark covers all of the Shetland Islands, which are a group of islands located off the north coast of mainland Scotland. It's looked after by the Shetland Amenity Trust, working with other groups like Scottish Natural Heritage, the Shetland Islands Council, and local community and tourism organizations. These groups all work together to make sure the Geopark is cared for and enjoyed by everyone.

Amazing Shetland Rocks

Shetland is famous for its stunning coastline, where you can see incredible rock formations. These rocks tell a long story about Earth's history. The Geopark has many different types of rocks, including some of the oldest in Scotland.

Ancient Rocks and Ocean Floors

You can find very ancient rocks here, like Lewisian gneiss. These rocks are billions of years old! Imagine rocks that were formed when the Earth was still very young.

Shetland also has unique rocks that were once part of the ocean floor. These special rocks are called an ophiolite section. It's like a piece of the deep ocean crust that got pushed up onto land. You can see these ocean floor rocks on the eastern side of the island of Unst and much of Fetlar.

Volcanoes and Sand Bridges

One of the most exciting features is a cliff section at Esha Ness. Here, you can see the remains of an ancient, extinct volcano. It's a great place to imagine what Shetland was like millions of years ago when volcanoes were active.

Another cool natural feature is the sand tombolo at St Ninian's Isle. A tombolo is a narrow strip of sand that connects an island to the mainland or another island. At St Ninian's Isle, this sandy bridge connects the small island to the South Mainland of Shetland. It's a beautiful and unique place to visit.