Lang Ayre
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Viewed from the top of Stonga Banks
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  Lang Ayre
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| Coordinates: 60°33′16″N 1°28′12″W / 60.55444°N 1.47000°W / 60.55444; -1.47000 | |
| Grid position | HU2985 |
| Part of | Ronas Hill |
| Offshore water bodies | Ronas Voe, Atlantic Ocean |
| Geology | Red granite |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 1.0 kilometre (0.62 mi)[1] |
The Lang Ayre is a beach on the west side of Ronas Hill, Northmavine, Shetland. At 1 kilometre (0.6 mi)[1] in length it is the archipelago's longest.[2] It is accessed either by a long walk from the top of Collafirth Hill down the Burn of Monius, or by sea. The beach's sand is red,[3] eroded from the up to 700 feet (210 m)[4] high red granite cliffs towering above it.[1]
The name Lang Ayre comes from the Shetland dialect words lang (long) and ayre (shingle beach).[5][6]
The Lang Ayre is situated north of the mouth of Ronas Voe, and is about 5 kilometres (3 mi) from the nearest road, so it is considered quite remote, even by Shetland standards.[5] Many walkers visiting the beach also undertake a walk to the summit of 450 m (1,480 ft) Ronas Hill en route. The beach is most easily accessed on land by following the Burn of Monius down a steep-sided ravine east of Ketligill Head. The final descent down to the beach is aided by a rope which is left at the site for public use.[7] The route most commonly taken to reach the Lang Ayre over Ronas Hill is prone to low-lying mist,[8] so walkers are advised to be familiar with the use of a map and compass to be able to navigate back in poor visibility.[9] The beach can also be accessed by sea, often by canoeorkayak, taking the most sheltered route via the Blade, Ronas Voe. The beach is directly exposed to the Atlantic Ocean, so westerly and north-westerly winds can be challenging to those small craft.[10]
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