Outer Hillier (natural arch, SW) [C152a]

CI52a is a large entrance but no daylight visible and corresponding feature in bedding on NE side appears little more than a narrow fissure. [Report 1145]

Notes: Length is a guess. The vertical distance from sea level in photo 2 to the top is estimated at 37 m and the width at sea level at 6.4 m, using the NGRs of CI52d and CI52b (41.1 m) as scale bar.

Links and Resources:

Indicated on the current OS layer (Canmore L9 & on this webpage) as a through tunnel.
OS Namebooks. Shetland, vol 11. p90 - The Hilliers: "Three natural arches running through Sheep Craig near the south end. The centre one is deep and lofty and admits of a boat being rowed through it; about the centre, where the outer arch joins the middle one, it opens out into a large and lofty chamber upwards of 200 ft high - and is one of the grandest scenes in the northern Isles. The inner or northern arch is dry, and the outer or southern one is partly dry from the eastern entrance to where it joins the middle arch."
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.
Photo 1 shows various entrances on the SW side of Sheep Rock. Report 1145 - FI Caves (GSG vs) p88. This entrance is CI52a.
Photo 2 shows the entrances from closer. This cave entrance is CI52a. Report 1145 - FI Caves (GSG vs) p90.
Photo 3 shows the NE side of the SE end of Sheep Rock. This rift (corresponding to CI52a) has an entrance on this side, but is reported as unlikely to be connected. Report 1145 - FI Caves (GSG vs) p87.

This entry was last updated: 2024-12-23 22:23:59

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NGR:	HZ 22130 70872
WGS84:	59.52321, -1.61064
Length:	50 m
Vert. Range:	39 m
Altitude:	-2 m
Geology:	Vaasetter Sandstone Formation - sandstone interbedded with conglomerate.
Tags:	Cave, SeaCave
Registry:	main

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