The Drongs
Rock formation in the Shetland Islands, Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Drongs (Shaetlan pronunciation: [də 'drɒŋs] ⓘ də DRONGS) are a group of sea stacks off the coast of Hillswick Ness, Northmavine, Shetland, Scotland. They lie to the west of the Isle of Westerhouse in St Magnus Bay. They have been described as "a focus of interest from all surrounding parts, including Eshaness",[3] from which they are the most readily viewed, and as such are considered an icon of Eshaness,[4] along with the famous Dore Holm.[5]
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The Drongs as seen from Braewick | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
  The Drongs Location within Shetland | |
| OS grid reference | HU 26019 75467 |
| Coordinates | 60°27′44″N 1°31′44″W |
| Name | |
| Name meaning | Free standing pillar of rock |
| Old Norse name | Drangr |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Shetland |
Highest elevation | 60 metres (200 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| References | [1][2] |
Etymology
Formation
The Drongs consist of tall vertical pillars of granite. There are four main stacks, which have been unofficially termed by climbers as the Main Drong (60 metres, 200 ft), Slender Drong (30 metres, 98 ft), Slim Drong (15 metres, 49 ft) and Stumpy Drong (15 metres, 49 ft).[2] The unusual shape of these sea stacks formed as the result of erosion of a larger landmass composed of both schists and gneiss: the schists eroded more rapidly than the granite gneiss, leaving only the granite pillars.[7]
The appearance of the Drongs from some angles has been likened to a ship under sail,[8][9][10] a group of castle towers,[11] or a cowled monk.[12] The rock formation has featured in artwork[13] and has been used as the subject of postcards since at least 1903.[14]
Climbing
In May 1992, climbers Mick Fowler, Andy Nisbet, Jon Lincoln and Craig Jones climbed each of the four main stacks within seven days.[2] Evidence was found that suggested the stacks had been climbed prior to their ascent.[15] The climbs for all four stacks are graded between "Severe" and "Hard Very Severe".[2]