Da Noup [The Noup]

About Da Noup [The Noup]

Rising as a dramatic maritime peak, this hill is defined by its staggering verticality. The 248-metre summit marks a sudden transition from rolling moorland to some of the highest sea cliffs in Britain, offering a wild experience where the land simply terminates in a spectacular, windswept precipice above the Atlantic.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •The name is Norse in origin, derived from 'gnípa', which describes a high, steep headland or a hill with an overhanging brow. The use of 'Da' instead of 'The' is a distinct feature of the local Northern Isles dialect, a remnant of the historic Norn language.
• •From the summit, the view northward is dominated by the even more formidable cliffs of The Kame, which reach 376 metres. To the east, on exceptionally clear days, the remote silhouette of Fair Isle can be seen rising out of the ocean.
• •The hill's slopes are a primary nesting ground for the Great Skua, known locally as the 'Bonxie'. These birds are notoriously territorial and are known to dive-bomb any walkers who inadvertently venture too close to their nests during the breeding season.
• •Despite its modest height, the summit offers one of the most immediate perspectives of the Atlantic's scale; local wisdom suggests that the most enjoyable way to take in the view is from a very respectful distance of at least ten metres back from the unfenced western edge.