Skate of Marrister facts for kids
 Skate of Marrister in Linga Sound |
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| Coordinates | 60°21′22″N 1°01′22″W / 60.355982°N 1.022866°W |
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| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Shetland |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Shetland Islands |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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The Skate of Marrister is a long, flat rock formation, like a natural underwater shelf. It stretches out about 270 meters (300 yards) from the western coast of Whalsay, which is one of the Shetland islands in Scotland. This rock is located a little over 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) north-north-west of Symbister Ness, near the village of Marrister. It sits within an area of water known as Linga Sound.
At low tide, the Skate of Marrister rises about 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the water. The currents in Whalsay Sound (also called Linga Sound) can be very strong. Sailors need to be careful because these powerful tides could push a boat onto the Skate.
To help boats navigate safely, there is a small light on the Skate of Marrister. This light can be seen from up to 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) away. It flashes a green light every six seconds, guiding ships and preventing them from hitting the hidden rock.
Marine Life
The waters around the Skate of Marrister are a good place for fishing. One type of fish that can often be caught here is the piltock. Piltock is a young Pollock fish, known for being a strong swimmer.
