Bixter
Occupying a modern, purpose built Health Centre, the Bixter GP Practice is situated in the village of Bixter, located centrally on the picturesque west side of Shetland. The practice has a wide catchment area serving several outlying settlements and is only 20 miles from the capital town, Lerwick.
Bixter is something of a ‘hub’ on the Westside with local buses from adjacent rural areas meeting there to provide regular public transport. In addition to the Health Centre, the village boasts the following amenities:-
- General Store with Petrol Pumps
- Post Office
- Veterinary Practice
- Garage
- A Very Well Supported Community Hall - hosting Sunday Teas, Toddler Group, SWI Group, Music events, Takeaway Evenings etc
The Bixter Practice also encompasses the following outlying areas:-
AITH
To the east, the village of Aith, 3 miles away. The local Junior High School is situated in Aith making it a very busy and vibrant community; along with the nursery & primary departments within the school Aith has the following amenities to offer:-
- A very Well Supported Community Hall – used for various activities including a local history group,
- Leisure Centre & Swimming Pool
- General Store
- Post Office
- Garage
- Marina & Boating Club
- Lifeboat Station
- Church of Scotland
- Charity Shop
- ‘Michael’s Wood’ - well established tree plantation, a great draw for people all over Shetland, particularly children
A few miles further east of Aith is the small settlement of East Burrafirth, popular for the stunning waterfall at the Burn of Lunklet and ‘The Cake Fridge’ which is always well stocked with home-made goodies for sale.
SAND, REAWICK & SKELD
To the west of Bixter lie the scenic districts of Sand, Reawick and Skeld. To reach these you pass by Parkhall, an architectural gem which once housed the old Doctor’s Surgery
Each of these three areas boasts magnificent beaches; Sand Gairdins, another large tree plantation and gardens open to the public are in the middle of Sand, and Reawick has a post office and a Congregational Church.
Skeld is the larger of the three districts with a very popular campsite, marina and boating club; a bird hide and a camping bod, a primary school and toddler group and a Community Hall which is well supported for various events including music events, weddings, Sunday Teas, craft nights, and houses a community café in the summer months.
A little further west are Westerskeld, Silwick, Westerwick and Culswick all of which offer stunning coastal scenery and walks.
Hopefully the above will give you a flavour of what we have to offer on the westside of Shetland. It is very difficult to sum up in just a few words what makes this area so special, much is written about the scenery , wildlife etc; but, maybe the most important thing to stress is the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a community, to become a part of peoples lives and perhaps achieve that which we are all striving for – a better work-life balance.
To the west of Bixter lie the scenic districts of Sand, Reawick and Skeld. To reach these you pass by Parkhall, an architectural gem which once housed the old Doctor’s Surgery
Each of these three areas boasts magnificent beaches; Sand Gairdins, another large tree plantation and gardens open to the public are in the middle of Sand, and Reawick has a post office and a Congregational Church.
Skeld is the larger of the three districts with a very popular campsite, marina and boating club; a bird hide and a camping bod, a primary school and toddler group and a Community Hall which is well supported for various events including music events, weddings, Sunday Teas, craft nights, and houses a community café in the summer months.
A little further west are Westerskeld, Silwick, Westerwick and Culswick all of which offer stunning coastal scenery and walks.
Hopefully the above will give you a flavour of what we have to offer on the westside of Shetland. It is very difficult to sum up in just a few words what makes this area so special, much is written about the scenery , wildlife etc; but, maybe the most important thing to stress is the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a community, to become a part of peoples lives and perhaps achieve that which we are all striving for – a better work-life balance.