Ronas Hill

Ronas Hill is the highest point in the Shetland Islands, marked by steep rocky slopes with granite outcrops. The summit area features a cairn marker, while the surrounding terrain drops away into open moorland with low vegetation.

People first settled here in Neolithic times, as shown by ancient cairns and remains found near the summit. Viking control over the islands later left its mark through place names and settlement patterns that still define the region today.

The name comes from Old Norse, reflecting the Viking heritage of these islands. The stark, windswept landscape has shaped how people here live and work to this day.

The walk is exposed to weather and can be difficult in high winds and poor visibility. Wear waterproof and windproof clothing, and use marked paths since conditions can shift rapidly at any time.

The summit hosts Arctic plants and fungi species found nowhere else at this latitude. Creeping willow grows here at unusually high elevations, creating a rare ecosystem adapted to harsh exposure.

Location: Shetland Islands

Elevation above the sea: 450 m

GPS coordinates: 60.53382,-1.44549

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:50