Loch of Spiggie

We're working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities are not yet available. Some reserves remain closed for now. See our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

Address: RSPB Loch of Spiggie - 2.5 miles (4km) north of Sumburgh Airport. Turn off the B9122 near Scousburgh.

Grid ref: HU374165

See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

The Lochs of Spiggie and Brow are located west of Boddam and are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) for wildlife conservation. In autumn and winter the lochs attract large numbers of whooper swans, teal and wigeon,while in spring and summer arctic terns, great skuas, tufted ducks and mallards can be seen on the loch, and a variety of waders can be found on the marshes.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

Accessibility

How to get here

By bus

From Lerwick, take the bus to Sumburgh Aiport. To reach the loch, alight at Robin's Brae and walk westwards for 2.5 miles (4 km).

By road

If you are visiting are visiting by car, turn off the B9122 near Scousburgh about 2.5 miles (4 km) north of Sumburgh Airport.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

By boat: Shetland can be reached by ferry from Aberdeen or Thurso, via Orkney, to Lerwick. Contact Northlink Ferries on 0845 6000 449.
By plane: Flights from Orkney, Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh or Glasgow operated by Loganair and Flybe.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

9 degrees, Fog

Contact Loch of Spiggie

RSPB Loch of Spiggie - 2.5 miles (4km) north of Sumburgh Airport. Turn off the B9122 near Scousburgh.
shetland@rspb.org.uk
01950 460800

What will you see?

Our star species

Lapwing

In spring, lapwings can be seen tumbling through the air around Loch of Spiggie.

Tufted duck

Tufted ducks can be seen on Loch of Spiggie throughout the year.

Redshank

Redshanks breed on the damp grassland here.

Snipe

These cryptically-coloured waders can be seen here throughout the year.

Whooper swan

Loch of Spiggie is one of Shetland's most important lochs for whooper swans, which are present from October to April.

On spring evenings, long-tailed ducks can be seen displaying in their breeding plumage. Hear skylarks displaying.

See a variety of nesting waders including oystercatchers, lapwing, curlew, snipe and redshanks. Tufted ducks and mallards also breed on the loch. Arctic terns, kittiwakes and great skuas often use the loch for bathing.

Loch of Spiggie becomes one of Shetland's most important lochs for wildfowl, especially whooper swans which are returning from their breeding grounds.

The wildfowl are still present in large numbers, especially whooper swans and winter ducks.

About Loch of Spiggie

Habitat

This shallow loch was formed when a sea voe was cut off by the formation of a sand bar. It now attracts a large number of swans, ducks and geese. The two small adjacent marshes and wider farmland provide breeding areas for waders such as lapwing, curlew, snipe, oystercatcher and redshanks in spring and summer.

Conservation

The Loch of Spiggie was once a voe, or sea inlet, until it was cut off from the sea when sand dunes formed. Now, the lochs of Spiggie and Brow are two of the largest, naturally nutrient-rich lochs in Shetland. As well as supporting a wealth of wildlife including whooper swans, this botanically-rich area is home to three nationally-scarce plants including slender-leaved pond weed.

RSPB Scotland manages the reserve to protect these special features and to provide homes for important numbers of breeding waders.

Site information

In recognition of their national and international importance for nature, the lochs of Spiggie and Brow and the adjacent marshes form a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Protection Area.

The Loch of Spiggie reserve has no viewpoints or parking facilities on site.

Marshside

Lytchett Fields

Arne

Loch of Spiggie