Bressay and Noss are two small islands only one kilometre from Lerwick. You can take a boat trip around these islands to see the breathtaking scenery, the birds and the basking seals. The ferry ride to Bressay from Lerwick only takes seven minutes and takes you from a city to a rural countryside. Both these islands are alive with history in the archaeological evidence and the stories of the locals.
The Ward of Bressay served as a beacon since early times, when the ancient peoples lit signal fires to warn of invaders. This hill is cone shaped and rises to a height of about 750 feet. From the top you get an excellent view of all of Shetland. In fact all the hills on the island served as beacons, especially Pettavird, named by the Vikings to mean Picts lookout hill.
The stone from quarries in Bressay was once used for the houses in Lerwick. Several of the quarries still remain, but lie in ruins as so many of the brochs that were plundered for the stone. In the cliffs along the shoreline, there are many caves where many fugitives from Press gangs hid out during the Napoleonic Wars. Talk with the islanders about the narrow escapes and legends surrounding these caves. Hellier Hol Cave has an iron bolt in the wall, presumably to moor a boat while in hiding.
Farming still exists on the island but it is largely on a small scale, although there are several large organic farms. Some of the families still use peat as fuel for the homes and sheep are communally herded in the hills.
Noss Sound is very shallow and at one time it is thought there was a strip of land joining the two islands. Both of these islands are home to many different birds and although no one lives on Noss today, it is used for sheep grazing. The scenery is exquisite and at the visitor centre in an old farmhouse in Gungstie, the park ranger will give you a tour of the nature preserve. The most memorable feature is the 500–foot cliffs. There are clearly marked walking trails and if you stray off the beaten path, you have to be careful of the Great Skuas that will dive right at you to protect their nesting grounds.
Photographs © Graeme G Storey ShetlandTourism.Com