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Girlsta, Limeworks, Limekiln
Lime Kiln (19th Century), Quarry (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Girlsta, Limeworks, Limekiln
Classification Lime Kiln (19th Century), Quarry (Period Unassigned)
Canmore ID 1187
Site Number HU45SW 9
NGR HU 43049 50500
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/1187
- Council Shetland Islands
- Parish Tingwall
- Former Region Shetland Islands Area
- Former District Shetland
- Former County Shetland
HU45SW 9.00 43049 50500
HU43SW 9.01 4305 5053 Processing Works
(Location cited as HU 430 504). Limeworks, Girlsta, 19th century. A massive single-draw kiln, tied round the top with an iron reinforcing rod. The draw-arch is segmental. There is a large disused quarry behind, and a group of concrete processing buildings to the N. Nearby is a small pier.
J R Hume 1977.
Scheduled as Girlsta, limekiln.
Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 29 October 2003.
Publication Account (1997)
A neat little industrial complex nestles at the head of Wadbister Voe, served by a small pier. The limeworks was in production until the 1930s, burning limesrone from the adjacent quarry, and it provided work for many South Nesting men. Peat in vast quantities was used in addition to coal to fuel the massive kiln, and the lime that it produced was sent for use in building projects in Lerwick as well as being used locally as fertiliser. The kiln is rectangular and tapers slightly as it rises, and its stonework is bound near the top with a reinforcing iron rod. The back of the kiln is set into the hillside, and the draw arch at the front is intact, giving access to the furnace within. The kiln was lined with brick, and it was capable of burning 70 tons of lime at a time with the help of 14 tons of coal and 10 tons of peat.
Nearby, the vertical mill was also built in the 19th century, harnessing the outflow from the Loch of Girlsta. The mill wheel, 3.66m in diameter, still survives, and the building has been restored for Melbrook Fisheries, an innovative salmon hatchery using re-cycled water. The new revetment below the mill has been built in megalithic style using massive boulders.
Information from ‘Exploring Scotland’s Heritage: Shetland’, (1997).
