Saxa Vord

Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia

Click for OS MAP.

Saxa Vord, (HP632167), at 270m, is one of the higher hills in Shetland. Located at the north end of Unst at the island's highest point, it overlooks the waters of Burra Firth, to the west, and Brei Wick, to the north.
The hill was the site of a naval radar station between 1940 and 1945, and an RAF radar and communications base from 1956 until recently. The base has now been mothballed.
A road leads up the hill from the village of Haroldswick, just to the east, and on a clear day the hill is good point from which to view the Muckle Flugga Lighthouse.

The top of Saxa Vord, with RAF station, seen from Hermaness (foreground). Picture by: Jonny McIntosh

Dome at Saxa Vord Picture by Shetlopedian Raventowers.