Weisdale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Weisdale |
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 Kergord "Forest", one of the few woods in Shetland |
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 Weisdale
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| OS grid reference | HU394537 |
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| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SHETLAND |
| Postcode district | ZE2 |
| Dialling code | 01595 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Weisdale is a lovely bay and a small village, also known as a hamlet, located on Mainland in Shetland, Scotland. It's also an old parish, which is like an old church area. The bay opens up near the top end of Scalloway Bay and stretches about four and a half miles towards the north-east.
The village of Weisdale sits at the very end of the bay. It is about twelve miles north-west of Lerwick, which is the main town in Shetland.
Contents
Weisdale's Past: A Look at History
Weisdale has an interesting history, especially from the 1800s. During this time, many small farmers, called crofters, were asked to leave their homes. This happened to make way for larger sheep farms.
The Highland Clearances in Weisdale
Around 318 crofters were moved from the Weisdale valley. This event is part of what is known as the Highland Clearances. These clearances were a big change for many people in Scotland. They meant that land used for small farms was turned into large areas for sheep. You can still see the remains of some of these old crofter houses in the valley today. They stand as a reminder of the past.
Cool Places to Visit in Weisdale
Weisdale offers many interesting spots to explore. From beautiful water areas to historic buildings, there's a lot to see.
Weisdale Voe: A Watery Wonderland
The Weisdale Voe is a long and beautiful stretch of water. It has several small islands within it. These islands include Greena, Flotta, Hoy, North Havra, Junk, Hoggs of Hoy, and Hildasay. The very end of the Voe is a great spot for birdwatching. You can often see many different wading birds there.
Weisdale Valley: Nature and History
The Weisdale Valley is a very pretty area of land. It includes the Weisdale Mill, Kergord Woods, and Kergord House. As mentioned before, you can still find the remains of old houses here. These were the homes of the crofters who lived in the valley long ago.
Weisdale Mill: Art and Coffee
Weisdale Mill is a very important building. It was the biggest corn mill in Shetland, built way back in 1855. Today, the mill has been carefully fixed up. It now works as an art gallery where you can see local art. It also has a cozy cafe where you can grab a drink and a snack.
Kergord Woods: Shetland's Only Forest
Kergord Woods is a special place because it's the only real woodland in the Shetland Islands. Trees like conifers and deciduous trees were planted here between 1909 and 1921. Now, these woods are home to many different kinds of woodland birds. It's a great place to enjoy nature.
Kergord House: A Historic Home
Kergord House was built in 1850. It used to be called Flemington House and was part of a large estate. During World War II, in 1940, this house became very important. It served as the main office for the Shetland Bus operations. The Shetland Bus was a secret group that helped people and supplies move between Norway and Shetland during the war.
Shetland Jewellery: See How It's Made
If you like shiny things, you might enjoy visiting Shetland Jewellery. Their workshop is in Weisdale and is open to visitors. You can watch skilled workers making beautiful silver and gold jewellery. Their designs often feature Nordic, traditional, and wildlife themes. They also offer teas, coffees, and light snacks for visitors.
Weisdale Kirk: A Community Church
Weisdale has one church, known as the Weisdale Kirk. It is part of the Church of Scotland. This church was built in 1863. Today, it is surrounded by a lovely garden. Local volunteers, with help from a TV show called BBC Scotland Beechgrove Garden, created this beautiful space. The garden even won an award in 2006 for being good for the environment in Shetland.
