The Rack is a raised bed of shells which extends from the main shingle beach northwards towards Almorness Point on the mainland and is produced by tidal currents. The rack consists of thousands of living mussels, and, when exposed at low tide, forms a part of the main walking route to the island from Auchencairn.

Throughout Hestan’s history, fishermen have visited the rack to harvest mussels and other edible marine life from it. Exposure of the rack varies depending on the state of the tides.