B9071

This article is about the current B9071 from Culswick to Vidlin on Mainland Shetland.
For the original B9071 from Channerwick to Sumburgh on the same island, see B9071 (Channerwick - Sumburgh).

Semblister

The B9071 is a secondary road on Shetland Mainland. The road was originally unclassified; indeed, the 1923 MoT map shows part of the road as only a track with part not even in existence. However, the road had come into existence along its present route by 1932, making it an early example of a recycled number.

The road starts by a farm building in the settlement of Culswick and heads east across the moor, crossing a couple of cattle grids. We pass to the south of Gossa Water then bear sharply right to zigzag through the village of Easter Skeld. After skirting the northern side of Skelda Voe we pass between two hills and then descend to reach the coast again. After following the shore of Garderhouse Voe northwards to the top of the inlet we continue along the valley. Presently another sea inlet, The Firth, becomes visible.

We bear left to run above the coast and pass through Effirth before bearing right to reach a T-junction on the A971. There's a multiplex east for over a mile. After crossing the Bridge of Twatt the B9071 regains its number by turning left. Now S2 for the first time, we climb steeply away from the coast, via a couple of sharp bends, and then bypass Twatt. After straightening out to run across the centre of the island the road narrows again. It's not long before an inlet of the north coast is reached and we zigzag through the village of Aith, running along the edge of Aith Voe and then East Burra Firth.

After leaving the inlet behind the road continues north across the bog and soon reaches Gon Firth. Above the coast we bear right to bypass another headland. The road follows a very narrow path between the Loch of Gonfirth and a cliff edge and then descends to Voe, on yet another inlet. After passing the village's harbour the road widens again as it climbs to a T-junction on the A970 adjacent to the Loch of Voe. There's another multiplex to about a quarter of a mile to the right.

We go round the southern side of the loch then continue eastwards. This section of road is still S2; it is obvious in places that the road has been upgraded as old alignments, generally closed to traffic, are frequently visible alongside the road's present route. The B9075 comes in from the right as we bypass Laxo, after which we run alongside Dury Voe, on the east coast. After a turn to the Whalsay Ferry pier the road deteriorates, showing that the road was improved to aid inter-island connections.

After passing the Cabin Museum the road bears left and follows a straight road northwards. The B9071 ends at a road junction on the near side of Vidlin but unclassified roads continue from here to serve the Lunna Ness peninsula and also the ferry for the Out Skerries, which leaves from Vidlin pier.