Yessa Ness Cave

Yessa Ness, W of North Haven, Fair Isle, Shetland.

NGR:	HZ 22418 72794
WGS84:	59.54046, -1.60535
Length:	43 m
Vert. Range:	13.5 m
Altitude:	-3.5 m
Geology:	Ward Hill Sandstone Formation - sandstone and dolomitic siltstone
Tags:	Cave, SeaCave
Registry:	main

Sea cave at the base of steep cliffs east of Yess Ness north-west of North Haven. Faces roughly NE.

'Entered by snorkeller 23/8/21. Large arched entrance estimated ~15 m in width at waterline and ceiling at height ~10 m ACD. Passage becomes gradually narrower for the first ~30 m before narrowing abruptly just beyond a distinctive rock pillar. Beyond this point the passage width is reduced to ~3 m and it continues for at least ~10 m. It was not followed beyond this point due to wave surge. Cave floor at entrance was ~3.5 m BCD shallowing to ~1.5 m BCD at the point of narrowing. Passage length of >40 m. Partially illuminated throughout.' [NS Rpt 1145]

Alternative Names: CI81, Yess Ness Cave 1

Links and Resources:

1st Ed OS 6 in Shetland, Sheet LXIX (includes: Dunrossness), Survey date: 1878 Publication date: 1881.
Pastmap Aerial showing Yess Ness. This cave entrance is marked CI81.
Photo 1 entrance marked CI81. Report 1145 - FI Caves (GSG version) p 203.
Photo 2 inside entrance looking inwards, including rock pillar. Report 1145 - FI Caves (GSG version) p 204.
Sketch Plan Report 1145 - FI Caves (GSG version) p 205.
Rpt 1145 Harries, D.B., Purcell, A., Moore, C.G., Lyndon A.R., Porter, J.S., Saunders, G.R. and Hume, C.L. 2024. Distribution mapping and baseline monitoring survey of sea caves around Fair Isle. NatureScot Research Report 1145.

This entry was last updated: 2026-02-01 18:13:43

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