RockStanza.Info - Brochs of Shetland

Royl Field is the highest point in the South Mainland of Shetland and is a four or five hour, pleasant walk. We set off along the Clapphoull track in Blett, Cunningsburgh in the morning and followed the Mail burn up to the Burn of the Run. Here we had lunch in the ample shelter that the burn's little gorge afforded us. (Russdale burn had some deeply cut-away peat banks as did the Run and the burn in between them). From the junction of the Burn of the Run and Mail burn we took a bearing directly to the summit. Descending into Royl Dale we came to the wreck of the Mosquito and visited the memorial to the pilot and navigator who died there in 1944. It is a sad story and there is a fair bit of wreckage, including engine, fuselage and wheel sections. The plane was returning from Norway and as I understand it, they were in a bad way with no radio and little fuel. Sumburgh shut down on them and they missed it, heading out into the Atlantic. Turning round in poor weather, they struck the side of Royl field. It is a tranquil and beautiful place, affording a splendid view over Burra, as well as to the north and south. Well worth a visit.