Quendale is a settlement and coastal district in the southwest area of Dunrossness in Shetland.[1] Quendale beach is a long beach formed at the north end of the Bay of Quendale.[2] Quendale beach is the longest beach in Shetland and the beach has extensive sand dunes.[2]
In 1588, the Captain and crew of the shipwrecked Spanish Armada ship El Gran Grifón were landed in Quendale after having been rescued off the rocks of Stroms Hellier.[3]
In the 1940s and 1950s, the area immediately NE of Quendale farm was the site of a military camp.
In January 1993, the oil tanker MV Braer grounded just off the area, hitting rocks in Quendale Bay that caused significant oil pollution along the coastal environment.[4] [5]
Cross Kirk, is a formed ruined church site and burial ground located just north of Quendale beach beside the Eel burn. The church was a collegiate church that dated to at least 1590 but was abandoned about 1790 due to the encroachment of sand.
Quendale Haa is a former laird's house in ashlar stone that is now abandoned. The house was the seat of the Grierson family. The house itself was built circa 1800 and is now Category B listed.
There is an abandoned farmstead to the north-west of the current farm named East Nifland (beside the valley), comprising several unroofed buildings and a former kiln.
Quendale Water Mill is a working museum mill.[6] The mill was built in 1867 and is fitted with an 8-spoke iron overshot water wheel that rotates with water from a wooden adquaduct. The mill was originally used as a commercial grain mill but fell out of use. It was restored to working order in the 20th century and became a museum with financial assistance from the Shetland Amenity Trust. It is open to visitors.[6] It is a Category A listed building.