Northmavine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Northmavine Nortmavine
Cliffs near Eshaness Lighthouse, Northmavine
Area	204.1 km2 (78.8 sq mi)
Population	741
• Density	4/km2 (10/sq mi)
Demonym	Oily Muggie
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Postcode district	ZE2
Dialling code	01806
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
Scottish Parliament	Shetland (Scottish Parliament constituency)
Website	https://www.northmavine.com/
List of places UK Scotland

Northmavine or Northmaven is a beautiful peninsula located in the northwest of Mainland, which is the largest island in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. Its name comes from an old language, meaning 'the land north of the Mavis Grind'. This area has been a special community for a long time. Today, the Northmavine community council area covers the same land. The whole area is about 204.1 square kilometers (about 78.8 square miles).

Exploring Northmavine's Landscape

Northmavine is the northernmost part of the Shetland Mainland. It also includes several nearby islands. The whole area is about 16 miles (26 km) long and 8 miles (13 km) wide. You can find the villages of Hillswick, Ollaberry, and North Roe here.

The Mavis Grind: A Narrow Link

Northmavine is connected to the rest of Mainland Shetland by a very narrow strip of land called the Mavis Grind. This strip is only about 100 yards (91 meters) wide! It's a unique natural feature.

Coastline and Hills

The coast of Northmavine is full of interesting bays. It has many tall, steep cliffs, especially on the west side. You can also see many small islands and rocks just offshore. The land inside the peninsula is mostly rough and hilly. It doesn't have much farmland. Ronas Hill, the highest point in all of Shetland, is located here.

Important Landmarks

Cliffs near Eshaness Lighthouse, Northmavine

The Esha Ness Lighthouse stands proudly on the Northmavine peninsula. To learn about the area's past, you can visit the Tangwick Haa Museum. There are also many old ruins, like ancient watch houses, burial mounds (barrows), and forts, showing that people have lived here for a very long time.

Who Lived Here?

One famous person born and raised in Northmavine was William Jack (principal). He became a principal, which is like the head of a university.

Northmavine's Population

In March 2017, about 741 people lived in Northmavine. This means there were about 3.6 people for every square kilometer. This is one of the lowest population densities in Shetland, meaning it's a very quiet and spread-out area.

Images for kids

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  The chambered cairn on Ronas Hill