Wildfire risk
With wildfire risk currently extremely high, we urge visitors to take extra care by avoiding any activity that could start a fire and immediately reporting any signs of smoke or fire to 999 to help protect people and wildlife. Please note, some of our nature reserves are closed due to wildfires, please check before you travel.
Advice on wildfire preventionThu 30 July 2026 12:00 Days out
Loch of Spiggie
SkelberryOpenSee opening timesWander around the waters of Lochs Spiggie and Brow where wildfowl and waders gather and a breeze blows in from the sea.
About
Lochs Spiggie and Brow are a sweeping stretch of water surrounded by rolling greenery – all just a stone’s throw from the sea. This reserve is an ideal retreat for wildlife, including a whole host of Shetland birds. There's something to see all year round at Loch Spiggie – in spring and summer Arctic Terns, Great Skuas, Tufted Ducks and Mallards gather on the loch, while waders feed and nest on the marshes. In autumn and winter, it’s wildfowl season, as vast flocks of Whooper Swans, Teal and Wigeons join us for the colder months.
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-rare plants including Slender-leaved Pond Weed. 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.
RSPB Scotland manages the reserve to protect these special features and to provide homes for important numbers of breeding waders.
At a glance
Parking is available at the north end of the loch by the hide, it is limited to a small number of vehicles.
There are no toilets here. Nearest public toilets at Bigton next to shop car park, 3 miles (4.5 km) away.
There are no toilets here. Nearest public toilets at Bigton next to shop car park, 3 miles (4.5 km) away.
The hide is push chair accessible with ramped access.
Because the reserve is sensitive to disturbance, access to the loch shore is not permitted.
Most of the reserve can be viewed easily from the public road, but care should be taken not to impede other road users.
The hide is wheelchair accessible, with ramped access and a dedicated wheelchair viewing bay within the hide. Parking is available outside the hide.
Because the reserve is sensitive to disturbance, access to the loch shore is not permitted.
Most of the reserve can be viewed easily from the public road, but care should be taken not to impede other road users.
There are no toilets here. Nearest public toilets at Bigton next to shop car park, 3 miles (4.5 km) away.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. During the ground-nesting bird breeding season (1 April to 15 August) and in areas with livestock, we would ask that you keep your dog on a short lead and clean up after them.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
Contact Loch of Spiggie
shetland@rspb.org.uk Loch of Spiggie, Shetland Islands, ZE2 9JE 01950 460800