Hill of Burwick, Point of the pund and Hill of Berry Loop

This loop explores the low hills and indented coastline above Scalloway on Shetland’s Central Mainland, linking the Hill of Burwick, Point of the Pund and the Hill of Berry in a walk of about 11 km / 6.8 miles with roughly 200 m / 656 ft of ascent. Although the overall effort is modest and the climbing is gentle by hillwalking standards, the route feels bigger than the numbers suggest because of exposed coastal ground, uneven pasture, heather, peat and occasional boggy sections. The nearest practical trailhead is Burn Beach car park, Scalloway, close to the waterfront in the village centre, which is also the usual starting point for walks around Bur Wick. Scalloway is served by regular buses from Lerwick, and Shetland’s visitor information notes a regular bus connection from Viking Bus Station to Scalloway. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

If arriving by car, Scalloway is around a 15-minute drive west of Lerwick via the A970 and local roads. Burn Beach car park is the simplest place to begin, and it puts you close to village facilities before heading onto open ground. For public transport users, the most straightforward plan is to take the bus to Scalloway village centre and walk the short distance to Burn Beach. For navigation, it is worth plotting the loop in HiiKER beforehand, especially because the coastal section near Point of the Pund can be less distinct on the ground than it appears on a map. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The opening section is usually the easiest underfoot, leaving the harbour and passing through Scalloway’s old waterfront streets before the route trends out toward the coast. This first stretch gives wide views over the sheltered waters around Trondra and the Scalloway Islands, and it also introduces the area’s strong maritime character. Scalloway was once the ancient capital of Shetland, and the ruined Scalloway Castle, built around 1600 for Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney, remains the dominant historic landmark above the village. The town also has deep Second World War associations through the Shetland Bus, the clandestine wartime link between Shetland and occupied Norway. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Coastal ground and Point of the Pund

As the route leaves the built-up edge of Scalloway, it becomes more open and more exposed. The approach to Point of the Pund is one of the most distinctive parts of the walk, with sea views opening toward West Burra and the outer islands. A small lighthouse stands on the point, and this makes a natural pause spot before the terrain changes character. Beyond here, expect rougher walking on faint paths or sheep trods, with heather, tussocks and uneven coastal ground replacing the easier track and road sections. On damp days, progress can be slower than the distance suggests. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

This is the part of the loop where hikers should pay most attention. The coastal section between Point of the Pund and Bur Wick is described in local route information as very rough and in places pathless, with one steeper traverse where extra care is needed; if the ground is wet, windy or visibility is poor, it is sensible to stay higher on safer ground rather than commit to any awkward line close to the edge. Even on an “easy” day in terms of fitness, sturdy waterproof footwear is a good idea because the combination of peat, grass and sheep paths can be slippery. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Wildlife interest is strong here. The mix of coast, moor and freshwater lochs supports nesting and sheltering birds, while the wetter ground inland is noted for frogs and, later in the year, wild fungi. Heather moor, mossy patches and rough grassland dominate the slopes, and in calmer weather the sea outlook toward the Scalloway Islands adds a constant sense of movement and light. (shetland.org)

Hill ground, lochs and archaeology

After the coastal section, the route turns inland and climbs more steadily onto the hill ground around Burwick and Berry. The ascent is not especially steep, but it is enough to widen the panorama quickly. From the higher ground you can look back across Scalloway, over Clift Sound, and north across the moors toward Tingwall; on a very clear day, local walking information notes that Fair Isle may be visible from the ridge. (shetland.org)

The inland part of the loop is especially interesting for hikers who enjoy landscape history. The Burwick valley contains a chain of small lo