Bigton Explained

Official Name:Bigton
Label Position:left
Country:Scotland
Static Image Name:View over Bigton to Foula (geograph 2770608).jpg
Os Grid Reference:HU377211
Coordinates:59.974°N -1.323°W
Post Town:SHETLAND
Postcode Area:ZE
Postcode District:ZE2
Dial Code:01950

Bigton is a small settlement on South Mainland, Shetland, UK. Bigton is within the civil parish of Dunrossness.[1]

Bigton lies on the Atlantic coast of the island overlooking St Ninian's Isle and within view is the island of Burra, further to the north. It is 18 miles by road from Lerwick, just off the B9122 and lies just north of the settlement of Scousburgh. The smaller settlement of Ireland adjoins Bigton.

Facilities include a post office/shop[2] and a cafe. Bigton Kirk[3] was sold by the Church of Scotland in 2021 to Bigton Collective who converted it into a community centre.[4] Farming in the area is a mixture of arable and mixed livestock.[5] [6]

The author, film-maker and painter Elizabeth Balneaves and her husband Dr James McLauchlan Johnston lived in the old manse, Bigton for the last 20 years of Balneaves' life.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Details of Bigton. Scottish Places. 17 December 2014.
  2. Web site: Staff . Bigton Post Office at Bigton in Shetland. . 2023-07-01 . Royal Mail, UK.
  3. Web site: Staff . 1997-03-26 . BIGTON, ST NINIAN'S CHURCH (CHURCH OF SCOTLAND), INCLUDING BOUNDARY WALL AND GATEPIERS (LB44537) . 2023-07-01 . Historic Environment Scotland.
  4. Web site: 2021-04-26 . 5. Structural Inspection: Bigton Kirk . 2023-07-01 . Civil And Structural Engineering Shetland.
  5. Web site: Taylor . Claire . 2019-12-14 . This farming Life’s Budge sisters: A new legacy on Shetland . 2023-07-01 . The Scottish Farmer . en.
  6. Web site: Staff . 2018 . Far away on a Scottish island: The Shetland sheep and beef showcase . 2023-07-01 . Farmax, New Zealand.
  7. Web site: Staff . 2006-11-11 . Elizabeth Balneaves (Obituary) . 2023-07-01 . Herald Scotland . en.