Another Fine Ness Traditional Geocache
shetlandic: cache maintenance impossible
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Coastal walking over rough ground, sometimes with spectacular, unprotected drops to the sea. Direct route possible but less interesting.
Be warned: this is a serious bit of walking, and even at the height of summer, you will be in mud up to your ankles, and (unless you take the direct route) there are always massive drops to the sea. Plans to upgrade access to the Ness for walkers with stiles seem to have been abandoned, though the landowner has no problem with hikers. There are points where you will be on slippy ground close to cliff edges. Be very careful if bringing young children. Absolutely NO DOGS. This is a working farm; you will be passing through sheep (all year round - beware lambing in spring)and cattle (summer. However, this is a traditional, indeed world-famous coastal walk.
Sorry to harp on, but I've nearly come a cropper here several times, and I walk the area weekly. Wear proper walking boots or approach shoes. Be prepared for the worst weather in the history of the world, even if setting off in blistering heat. Carry a mobile phone and if you get into trouble (there is good coverage for Vodafone) call the coastguard on 01595 692976 or the police on 01595 692110. Beware wind and windchill. People have been blown off Shetland cliffs, so beware bravado. Tell someone locally where you are going and when (the Smithy, the hotel if open, the Booth cafe, the doctor's surgery and the shop are all options). Wear a hat. Remember there is very little daylight in winter. Do not step on any bright green stuff.
Anyway. You are heading for one of the most spectacular, breathtaking locations in Shetland, and that's saying something. Just take care. Park in Hillswick or at the Smithy or Oily Muggy gift shop (OS HU27/37 Pathfinder 767282). The direct route (following 'GoTo') involves going past the smithy and the farm entrance, then, with the big grey house (with Oily Muggy craft shop) called Findlin's on your right, following the metalled track through the big metal gate. After that it's straightforward with only one fence to climb.
For the more interesting route, cross over the access stile opposite the Smithy, head for the next stile, and the coastline. Following 'goto' in this context would be a terrible waste. Allow two to three hours, take a picnic, though at a pinch you might manage the three and a half mile round trip in an hour and a half. The cache location is safe, not near any threatening edges, and spectacular in the extreme. It is (now) a small plastic pill container, replaced (16 August 2010, for third time) after recent geocachers found nothing. I suspect rabbits/gulls/sheep. PLEASE anchor it down with stones and HIDE IT when you are finished.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fgbar gnoyr, hc uvtu, qbja ybj. pbirerq jvgu fznyy fgbarf.