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Name:Brough Hill
Hill number:12061
Height:61m / 200ft
Parent (Ma):none
RHB Section:22: Shetland Islands
County/UA:Shetland Islands
Island:West Burra
Class:Tump (0-99m)
(Tu,0)
Grid ref:HU 37757 35088
Summit feature:outcrop
Drop:49m
Col:12m  HU369334  
OS map sheet(s):(1:50k) 4
(1:25k) 466N
Observations:outcrop 20m E at HU 37775 35084 may be as high
GPS data:show GPS entries for this hill

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Logged Descriptions  (logged by 114 users, only the latest 50 shown - Show all)ByDate of Ascent
Short walk up from Brake to Coastguard hut. 3 small rocky outcrops nearby all contend to be HP.PeterD10/05/2023
From the car park at Meal, a short distance along the track to the beach and then up over grass to the summit. Explored various possibly highest boulders/outcrops.LizH30/08/2021
After Covid rules finally allowed us to enjoy indoor afternoon tea and cake with our neighbours we walked up the lovely steep twisting road yet again - to deliver goodbye cards to those friendly locals we had come to know in passing on our many walks over the last 5 months. Up to the cabin of course just as the pleasant afternoon sun turned suddenly to rain - and me without a waterproof - lulled into complacency by the sun - a rookie error on this my 114th and last ascent of Brough Hill as our 5 month stay at Meal draws to a close. Hopefully we will be back ..Chris Pearson20/05/2021
Emotions getting stirred up as in 2 days time we are having to leave Shetland and living below this hill on beautiful Burra for the last 5 months - but we will be back. Its just such a peaceful place to connect with nature and the environment. Tonight Burra was offering a goodbye present with a lovely calm evening and shafts of sunlight looking like a Paramount Film opening behind the dramatic Stack of Giilatrump - and Foula floating high up on the horizon across 30 miles of flat sea tonight. On the hill - the sheep, oystercatchers on the ground, a flock of 20 silent gulls twisting in the gentle breeze . I took a look at the burnt mounds on the way up - piles of cracked stones once heated in prehistoric times to drop into water to warm it up for cooking / boiling food. I wonder what our distant ancestors would have thought about my switching on a kettle for boiling water for my hot chocolate cuppa when I got in - let alone the microwave.Chris Pearson19/05/2021
A break from admin to meet L on her return morning walk. From the top admired the view for ages identifying features far and wide - then spotted L chatting to 'Mrs Greenlander' over her garden wall in Brough. Back for lunch then gratefully to Lerwick for our 2nd Covid jabs. Norwegian flags flying over many buildings - this being Norwegian Independence day - celebrating the lasting friendship and unity formed via the famous yet perilous 'Shetland Bus' small boat link during WWII.Chris Pearson17/05/2021
A beautiful evening - calm and peaceful to stare at the view and wander the coast. Too good an evening to go to bed despite tiredness from two 9 hour days of Coastguard Rescue ropes training - really good - except for hammering metal holdfast stakes in and trying to get the wretched things out again.Chris Pearson16/05/2021
110 ascents. At the end of a great 2hr run with L - on a lovely calm-ish warm-ish morning. Down the road from Meal to Minn road end then back along the familiar cliff tops and hills. Felt like we were saying goodbye to friends as we have to leave Burra in 2 weeks after 5 wonderful months living here. So long and thanks for all the fish - but we will be back. Great grassy running on short cropped grass. Magical.Chris Pearson12/05/2021
11.30pm on a calm night and special as a silvery sea contrasted with clouds above with the sky to the north a pale blue clarity with a hint still of the orange of a long faded sunset. On my way back from an emergency coastguard medivac at Lerwick so took the opportunity for a night time ascent and view gazing. As I was still in my coastguard kit I could have passed as a night-time ghost re-visiting the old coastguard lookout?Chris Pearson11/05/2021
A blustery windy easterly and rain threatening from grey sky. Just an early after breakfast hour's leg stretch with L. Sheltered down on the coast as expected - no otter today. Along tp Meal Beach and back though Hamnavoe.Met our fisherman friend - knowledgeable about birds -reported the Arctic Terns were back from Antarctica ! Claims to be the animal that sees the most daylight year round!? Repeated the circuit in the afternoon but no summit as sheep & lambs being fed and checked -so kept out of the way.Chris Pearson09/05/2021
After 106 previous ascents my first slightly shameful drive up - being a short stop on the return drive from a visit to Minn Beach and its cliffs. Parked by the ugly BT building -near the iron age broch that gave Brough its name -although there is nothing much left of it now as the stones have long been used by the locals for their own buildings. BT used concrete and cement for their building and a lack of aesthetic imagination.Chris Pearson08/05/2021
Beautiful calm sunset walk. Orange sky as the sun slowly sank through dramatic shower clouds over a shimmering sea with Foula floating on the horizon. Went down to the rocks and sat and listened to the waves slurping and booming in the tiny geos then draining out before pouring back in. Oystercatchers squeaking and .. a lone otter diving repeatedly.Chris Pearson07/05/2021
A beautiful sunny spring day with lambs everywhere. Start of along walk with L looking at 2 potential house plot sites on the Burras. Happily interrupted by many stops for a chat with so many locals who we have got to know over the last 6 months and were all outside on this rare fine calm sunny day. Made another new friend -Gordon -a gent (and friend of our neighbour) who had cycled from Lerwick on his electric bike.Chris Pearson03/05/2021
What is this world if so full of care that We have no time to stand and stare. Appropriate verse for a millpond sea at sunset. No wind. Beautiful. Even distant Fair Isle was lit by the sinking sun. A summit to linger tonight. On return walk pager went off - The Northlink ferry was returning with a sick passenger an hour out of Lerwick - team needed to assist with poss. stretcher carry. I attended and still back before dark around 10pmChris Pearson01/05/2021
Solo late evening evening walk of calm. Sound of the sea gentling lapping Meal Beach -no waves today -just ripples in the gentle breeze -still icy to the cheek. Towering scatted cumulus clouds turning tranquil orange in the sunset behind them - some still showering some places and not others -we had our turn today. Dreamy grey Foula -3 peaks and a bump always out there drifting to sleep. Sheep- some moving some not -all nibbling the grass. A few starlings on the sheep backs and Oystercatchers picking the ground among them. The summit and views of the grey green giants of the Clifft Hills -still there-all the way in line down to their cousins at Fitful Head. A single car slowly comes over the- crest - headlights on - anticipating darkness - a while yet for this is Shetland. 5 kids on a trampoline meant for 1 -enjoying the play of long evenings - too soon for bed. A gull flaps by. A lone local enjoying the same evening calm exchanges a greeting. For this is Shetland.Chris Pearson29/04/2021
Calm spring morning - for a change with L we walked down the inland coast to Toogs and back along the road and over the summit then to Lerwick for my first contact lens trial.Chris Pearson24/04/2021
8.10pm ascent to watch the last of the film crew of the crime drama -Shetland -carrying and pushing their trolleys of equipment, generators and lights back up the path -having commandeered Meal Beach and the car park for six hours. Around 40 crew and 16 vehicles. I toured he beach after the last departed and to their credit not a speck of litter, or forgotten equipment. In fact - the day before they removed the stashes of plastic trash awaiting collection and did a pretty good beach clean up for all the small bits of plastic tangled in the seaweed- a great use of the TV licence fee.Chris Pearson18/04/2021
110 ascents. A sociable walk down to Bridge End with L where we got chatting to Sea Kayak Shetland who had a beginners group setting off to paddle the sheltered Clift Sound to Scalloway with the breezy S wind sensibly behind them. On return chatting to retired couple in Brough - the lady as a child used to boat and swim across to the 'Viking house' on the tip of East Burra opposite. The Lord Lieutenant of Shetland lives at Bridge End and as expected of The Queen's representative for Shetland had the union jack flying at half mast on his house as Prince Phillip's funeral is this afternoon. Later -a first for us - watching 2 porpoises breaking the surface for 15 mins at Meal Beach.Chris Pearson17/04/2021
Fresh covering of overnight snow in dazzling sunshine -with only a slight breeze- beautiful -almost 'alpine' in the warming sunshine -locals in Brough all out and beaming goodwill (as usual). Walk with L to lonely road end on N end of East Burra. Had earlier met and helped the 'world famous' Shetland lady with 9 little cute dogs doing a photoshoot for her next calendar on snowy Meal beach.Chris Pearson11/04/2021
Sunshine and sideways snow showers in the continuing bitter NW freezing wind. Sheep huddled in the shelters covered in snow. I wore my ski googles to prevent weeping eyes in the wind .With L on our favourite short 2 hr walk from the house down the island to Sandwick Hill and back. A fierce into wind snow storm hit us on the return -so bypassed summit on return -so just one ascent today. Back by lunchtime to hear of death of Prince Philip - which raised fond memories of the superb D of E Award - an excellent legacy.Chris Pearson09/04/2021
Got back from optician to find note from L to meet her on her walk back from 'starling cliff' - met on Meal Beach then went up propelled by the NW wind to take shelter behind the cabin. Shouting conversation. Both L and I getting exhausted by our daily battles with the wind and gale driven salty air stinging our eyes. No Let Up! Do Shetlanders have 100 different words for wind?Chris Pearson08/04/2021
Early morning ascent with L after fun ice climbing with axes and crampons on the beach - icicles and frozen turf. Sub zero Arctic gale which has been battering Shetland with stinging bitter snow showers for 3 days now. No ferries from Aberdeen so delaying our Tesco trip as shelves will be getting bare. Snowy landscape and sunny views from the top and white horses on the sea then numbing 'hard to move forward' battle to walk down the field and road again. Lovely to force open the porch door and get back inside!Chris Pearson06/04/2021
This was it. The winter storm we have been waiting to experience! Never mind its Easter Monday but snow has arrived back - this time sideways from the Arctic in a strong NW gale (force 9) for 2 days now - with excitingly gusts of 64mph which just creeps into Beaufort Scale 11 -Violent Storm. Just had to come up here to experience it it. Pushed up at a run with wind behind -then clung together to tack across the wind to summit cabin (how is it still standing?) Eyes watering, nose running, hat flapping -brought to a standstill trying to walk downhill at times. Turns out much of my hill and mountain walking over 40 years has been in similar battle conditions -and for seriously more prolonged hours and up high where the wind really accelerates and screams. Great to be out in it briefly -continued to the cairn shelter on the headland -but waves not as mighty as seen before as not SW -but NW so on the sheltered side (relatively).Chris Pearson05/04/2021
Grey and overcast today with just a fresh NW breeze -nudging the + 7 downwards to +2 with forecast for wind increasing to gale by tomorrow. Another well wrapped up road walk with L detouring to the summit on the out and back to climb Hill of Sandwick.Chris Pearson03/04/2021
After work - met L on beach and went up the steep grass alongside fence.Chris Pearson24/03/2021
I detoured to cabin on walk back with L from viewing a house for sale at Bridge End. L missed out summit as high stepping over the wire fence not advised with her bad back. pm -back up again with L -sheep again flocking to us expecting a handout.Chris Pearson21/03/2021
100 ascents -in 90 days. An unheard of 9 ascents today to sneak inside the 100 winter ascents deadline --as astronomical winter officially ends at 09.37 tomorrow morning when Spring begins. normal ascent with L (recovering from bad back) in afternoon combined with beach walk. At 8.25pm I decided it would be a shame to not reach the 100 ascents in winter so put on my running shoes and cag and head torch and went up and down the road to the cabin from our front door 8 times - taking just 1hr 15 mins to get the job done. Not quire 10 mins per return trip. High Pressure dominating Shetland and the UK bringing a cloak of drizzly clag although only light winds. Crescent moon breaking through with glimpses of silver seas. Celebrated my minor adventure with a hot shower then watching on TV a proper adventure about Terror- the drama (much made up) of the disappearance of Terror and Erebus locked in the Arctic ice searching for a NW passage.Chris Pearson19/03/2021
Back from a day at Walls and an after work ascent of Sandness Hill on the far West Mainland which you can see in the far distance across the sea form here. Met Jessie in summit field who was feeding sheep nuts to her enthusiastic sheep -due to lamb late April. She told us that she keeps some older Shetland breed sheep in with the younger ones to teach them how to behave! Old summit hut owned by neighbouring crofter who has used it in the past for growing tomatoes due to all its light. L suffering from back pain for 6 days -walking stiffly.Chris Pearson17/03/2021
90 ascents. Winds have swung to NW today - near gale force and minus one with sun one minute then suddenly cold icy rain blasts. We sheltered on other side of cabin from yesterday watching the new direction of uninterrupted waves hitting the cliffs to S with spray going high up -explaining why no grass grows higher up in they spray zone. I came back up alone after afternoon visit to Weisdale art gallery cafe - came down past the sheep shelters rushing back to beat the next rain shower. Tesco delivery man having a break in the Meal Beach car park -must have extra strong hinges on his cab door to cope with the violent gusts of wind that must plague his every delivery. Sheep flocked to me again in summit field having been recently spoiled by the arrival of new mineral licks.Chris Pearson14/03/2021
2 visits Top and tail of a dry but exhausting walk against a SW near-gale down the road to Bridge End (my eyes watering all the time &impossible to hear cars coming up behind in the wind). Then a new route -rough grass to N tip of East Burra. 10 herons took off! Found an intriguing straight skull which had us totally puzzled - looked like a mini crocodile with huge oval eye socket. but no teeth or beak. Much web searching later - a catfish - bottom dwelling detritus eater that syphons up its food -hence no teeth -and the small eyes were actually in what we thought were nostrils ! and the huge ovals -just empty cavities for skull lightness,Chris Pearson13/03/2021
Twice more today both with L - both in gale force S- Westerlies - sea going mad - white topped waves crashing in. First a morning ascent in heavy stinging needle rain- did a video report on top in shelter of hut. Sea rushing up to the rocks on Meal Beach. Back up in late afternoon sunshine. Then on beach met Joy - the African drummer (who works for Creative Scotland going around schools) from Scalloway - she has an orange camper with pink bumpers and 2 sausage dogs who were dodging the racing white frothy waves rushing up the beach. Then a heavy rain shower cut our beach chat short.Chris Pearson12/03/2021
Our regular after work outing -up to the cabin and down to the beach. Still windy after a very stormy previous night. The summit sheep flocked eagerly to greet us -hoping for a handout and followed us. One either fell (or blew!?) over on to its side -L righted it. I notice that one of the rusty 4 metal wires holding the cabin roof on has corroded through. Wont be long at this rate before the cabin is no more. Big waves and frothy swash chasing us up the empty beach.Chris Pearson10/03/2021
Double crossing today with L on a lovely sunny and calm spring like wander down the coast to Sandwick Hill and back. After 10 weeks of such outings finally no need to wear over-trousers or jacket against the wind today. Spring confirmed by 1st of the early lambs in the fields and daffodils just showing their yellow tips, and buds on bushes noticeable. Apparently 5.5 degrees is the critical temp for growth to begin on Shetland -normally mid March -earlier in sheltered places. Even the many seals hauled out at Sandwick were vocal today.Chris Pearson07/03/2021
Just about enough energy left for an afternoon outing up here outing with L. Happily weary from Retained Firefighter physical practice test this morning - bleep test, ladders, carrying heavy equipment and the feared confined space crawl with BA in dark. (Living at the foot of this hill I'm just at the limit of the 8 min response time to Scalloway fire station who need new volunteers). Then came home to dismantle and move beds! Down to beach for another treasure trove of sea glass -we have picked up some 800 + pieces here in last 3 days after a week of nothing -must be due to wind and wave state. L has plans for a giant mosaic.Chris Pearson06/03/2021
80 ascents. 3 more today. first 2 on shortish morning coastal walk out and back after another great bounty of sea glass collected on Meal Beach (275 pieces found yesterday!!) cold N wind -hand numbing being the price to pay. Then back out and up and down for a short outing again before lunch.Chris Pearson05/03/2021
Our regular after work before tea stroll. High pressure over Iceland bringing gentle calm NE winds but disappointing grey dull skies and cold air only 2 degrees. However our spirits rose on Meal Beach as we found a good amount of sea glass amongst the freshly deposited new lines of shells- where there had been nothing for a week. A calm wind and sea seems to do the trick for depositing shells and mixed in sea glass. Very mindful hunting for it!Chris Pearson04/03/2021
Not been up here for 3 days - due to being back at school. Getting withdrawl symptoms. Pre tea-time ascent with L -calm -ahh. Able to chat as we walked like normal people for once. Beautiful sunset down on Meal beach -met Jossie and husband Rob who had come with their quad to collect their dead sheep -washed up a week ago -but it had been removed by persons unknown earlier-along with the dead ram. Right on cue two uniformed police officer arrived on the beach -but only for a jolly to photograph the sunset and not to investigate the mystery of the missing dead sheep -a potential Shetland crime thriller. Then two souls arrived for a swim -clearly unware that they were on dead sheep beach.Chris Pearson03/03/2021
2 ascents over summit on out and back of 2 hr walk with L down the grassy inner coast of Lang Sound for a change -to Bridge End . L stroked the miniature Shetland Pony at the stud farm then snuck up to join me watching the seals hauled out on their regular beach. Standing stock still seems to work-even though they look at you for a while its only movement that spooks them. One on its back scratching its ear.Chris Pearson28/02/2021
3 ascents today. 1st in afternoon with L then Meal Beach - hauled a tangle of washed up fishing net up onto the grass (for the beach clean up every April)then round into Hamnavoe -met Lawrence in top cottage (who had soundproofed his walls against the wind noise!) He told us about conflict over crofts / ruins ownership. Later 1st visit to visiting burger van for tea. Later still after dark solo 15 mins up and back on the road from the house under the snow moon - the last full moon of winter- shining brightly through scudding clouds on just a fresh SW breeze. Silvery moonlight shining eerily off the sea of Clifft Sound with the dark fingers of land starkly contrasting. Very atmospheric. No aurora. So Good -I did it twice.Chris Pearson27/02/2021
70th ascent. Usual 30min loop with L after work - up road slowly to top and light jog down spongy grass to Meal Beach. Had hoped the dead (drowned)sheep washed up yesterday might have been removed -but not only was it still there but another has also been washed up. My guess is they were out eating the seaweed (which they like)when a big wave got them. Their fleeces and white sand almost a colour match and both starting to become the core of mini sand dunes as wind blown sand streams over them.Chris Pearson26/02/2021
Back home from 1st supply day at Anderson High where I had sat reading a book all day (!) as they had me on stand-by in case of need as they adjust to Covid return of older students doing essential project work. Road up with L -sheep came hopefully to gate to greet us -down lovely soft pasture -jet propelled by strong SW wind to Meal Beach - recent seaweed line debris included the usual plastic bits and a dead sheep washed up -already announced on Burra fb page to alert crofters who might be missing a ram. I held my nose and got its ear tag no.to later add.Chris Pearson25/02/2021
A hoolie of a SE gale blowing -force 8 plus -but heavy afternoon rain had stopped after my 45 min drive home from 1st day of teaching at Walls- car buffeted all way back. Put the dinner (frozen fish and chips) in the oven to cook for 30mins then up with L for a short magnificent battle -we have known worse -and often! Later things intensified with house making all sorts of new creaking noises, and shuddered at least once ! Big windows visibly flexing and plastic frames crackling like an open fire -closed the blinds just in case they gave way. Forecast winds set similar for tomorrow when I am booked to fly from Sumburgh to Aberdeen and back for the day for a hospital appointment - could be bumpy?Chris Pearson23/02/2021
Up and over the hill to drop a thank you card off for Brian the crofter for his lift yesterday who keeps sheep on several strips of his croft land on this hill - right down to Meal Beach. He was out (crofting?) but we had a good (outdoor) chat with his wife, then her two sisters then her mother and her niece -all of who live next door to each other. Such is the Shetland family community.Chris Pearson22/02/2021
2 ascents today. Sunny and a whopping 8 degrees thanks to S winds -so beautiful (Clift Hills looking at their best side lit) -but into a near-gale headwind for the 3 miles road walk to Minn which made for exhausting forward leaning progress. L felt like we were in a infinity pool where you swim against a current without actually going anywhere. Eyeballs feel the most tired from the salty wind! Non-the-less a useful walk down as we identified 26 different houses we would like to buy! Back along the cliff tops -magnificent with the noisy crashing waves in the noisy wind - hard to hear the phone call telling me dad's falls alarm had (wrongly) gone off. Hitched back with friendly Brian the Brough crofter. Back up again for a big fat streaky pink sunset and gently fading away islands and hills. Very calming despite the omni-present strong winds -now only officially a fresh breeze (hmm?).Chris Pearson21/02/2021
A gorgeous sunny calm morning turned in mid afternoon rapidly grey & very windy (getting used to that now) and drizzly (SE winds). Just as we were ready to set out for our regular hill and beach circuit - after a car based morning looking at house plots on the east coast as far down as Sumburgh. 'Cat the dog' and owner on Meal beach. Joined in stick throwing. A human and a seal swimming in the sea.Chris Pearson20/02/2021
Grey and dreary and windy - can't win them all -but rain now stopped for a head clear after busy task day. This hill has probably had fewer different visitors this week than Mars which has remarkably seen 3 separate space probes/ rovers arrive in its orbit this week - from UAE, China and yesterday NASSA -whose Perseverance touched down successfully to begin drilling for 2 years (!) looking for preserved microorganisms (slime)in an old lake bed(now a crater). Anyone sending a probe here in years to come has a good chance of finding lots of decayed sheep poo.Chris Pearson19/02/2021
Lunchtime grab in L's lunchtime slot. Sombre thoughts looking out to the sea which had claimed the life of another Shetland based fisherman (Josef from the Philippines) who had gone overboard at 3am in last night's gales off Sumburgh Head. Such a treacherous occupation still despite all the safety and know-how. Fundraising page for his family has raised almost £30k just 2 days later.Chris Pearson18/02/2021
Morning ascent with L before homeworking. Lovely dawn halo sun rising over the Clift Hills -wind as ever near gale force but seemingly so warm (5 degrees after big freeze). First along the beach and out to the headland -although aborted when I slipped off a rock (that's trail shoes for you)into the bog an put my gloved hand fully down -sopping wet -yuk. Great to lean laughing into the dry gale up here -before turning tail.Chris Pearson17/02/2021
60th ascent. Sunny and 'tropical' 7 degrees after the prolonged freeze. With L - an interlude in a busy task day. Meal Beach first then up road to summit and scouting around Brough for potential house plots. Introduced ourselves to friendly and chatty Colin the school bus driver - former teacher - whom we have waved to often in his bus. We are starting to piece together who lives (abides) where as everyone so friendly and knows everyone else.Chris Pearson16/02/2021
House creaking all day as the SE gale howled outside all day. Had already had one 'invigorating' battering along the coast to the village with L in am. Solo 4pm outing to first see the waves on Meal Beach being pushed back by the offshore SE winds. Beaufort Scale 8- 9 Gale/ Strong Gale with strong winds of 20-21m/ sec = 48mph or 42 knots. Staggered uphill -pushed backwards 7 times in strong gusts. Still icy sheets surviving the melt. Fierce wind on top -fantastic to lean into it and laugh! Harder going down -to avoid being accelerated along at high speed - crouch technique helped.Chris Pearson14/02/2021
Return of the icy gales after 2 weeks of lovely frozen snowy relative calmness. 5 mile road run all muffled up with L all the way down to Houss at the end of East Burra to view house plots and to dream. Impossible to hear cars approaching from behind in the howling wind on the single track -and embarrassingly even from the front with head down and face averted from the stinging gale -suddenly a car bonnet was right in front of me -with a considerate driver who had stopped for me to stagger past. Back over the summit with wind rocket propulsion assisting on return.Chris Pearson13/02/2021