Kettla Ness

Kettla Ness, Kettlaness or just Kettla is a tied island and headland in Shetland. It is connected by the tombolo Minn beach (Banna Minn), to the south end of West Burra, part of the Scalloway Islands. The headland itself is conspicuous and circa 160 feet high. The island is accessible to walkers via Minn beach and is now uninhabitated. It is principally used for Sheep farming and pasture.

History
The former settlements of Minn, Gossigarth and Point of Guide lie on the north-west part of the island. The ruined village was principally abandoned following the Highland Clearances in the 19th century although some occupation continued into the early 20th century. There are several other instances of prehistoric activity on the island, primarily at Minn, including several 3rd-1st millennium BC house, cairns, burnt mounds, cists, crop marks and other structures. Several of these are located in the Bight of the Sandy Geos, an area on the eastern side of Kettla Ness. Iron-age pottery fragments have also been found around Sandy Geos.

On the south side of Kettla Ness is a stream flowing from the Outra Loch. Along the stream there are numerous examples of ruined historic horizontal watermills that extend down to Groot Ness on the south coast.

In 1959, a triangulation pillar was erected on the island.

To the west of the island is the wreck of the boat 'Saint Kentigern' which ran aground in November 1979.

Geology and Fauna
There are four small lochs on the island: Virda Vatn, Loch of Annyeruss, Outra Loch and Croo Loch.

Flora on Kettla Ness includes Armeria maritima which is extensive on the south-west coast opposite the Rod Skerries.

Fugla Stack
To the west of Kettla Ness is Fugla Stack, a geological stack landform that consists of vertical columns of rock. There is a wreck, the MV Castor, dating to 1910, beside the stack.