B9078

This article is about the current B9078 from Hillswick to Stenness.
For the former B9078 from Brae to Hillswick, see B9078 (Brae - Hillswick).

The B9078 serves the Esha Ness peninsula of Mainland Shetland. It was originally unclassified but had gained its number by 1932.

Heading west from Braewick

The route starts at a T junction near the end of the Hillswick branch of the A970, within sight of Ura Firth, and heads northwest. Initially the road is fairly flat and straight but the terrain soon becomes hillier, requiring the road to bend more often. It bears left at Burnside to avoid the hill ahead then right above the beach at Sand Wick before winding westwards across undulating countryside, climbing to a summit of 94m below Watch Hill. There are a couple of features, such as a cutting, to suggest the road has been improved, although it is currently little more than single-track. The descent is less windy, largely consisting of two straights as it drops down to pass to the north of the bay of Brae Wick before running through the settlement of the same name.

The route then climbs a little and wanders westwards across a largely featureless moor, pocked with small pools and a couple of larger Lochans. Side roads lead off to the coast settlements of Esha Ness, but there are few roadside buildings. After passing a turn to the lighthouse, the route turns south to pass the West Loch and runs down to Stenness, where the road ends at a gate into a field. Stenness is no more than a couple of houses next to a farmyard, which enjoy a spectacular view out across the rugged coastline to the islands and skerries beyond.