Out Skerries, also called the Outer Skerries, is the name given to a group of three islands in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. The islands are named Housay, Bruray and Grunay. On Housay and Bruray there is a total population of 80 and a bridge connects the two islands. The island of Grunay is uninhabited. On Housay and Bruray, there are shops, a fish processing plant, an airstrip, a primary school and the smallest secondary school in the UK, with a total population of two students. The mainstay of the economy here is fishing.
Although there is very little to do here, it is a very tranquil place where you can enjoy a respite from the hustle and bustle of a large city. Lots of sheep graze on the hillsides and there are plenty of birds and seals for you to see. A ferry from Lerwick and Vidlin provides a link with the mainland, but you can also fly here. The runway at the airport is gravel and is the shortest runway in the country.
These islands have been inhabited since the time of the Vikings and probably before that. Its history rings with stories of sunken ships and lost treasure making it a popular destination for wreck diving. The locals salvaged one ship that was wrecked here in the late 1600's and the wood was used as flooring in the homes.
The villages are very picturesque and are a photographer's dream. Standing on the hill looking out over the water with the houses in the forefront makes it seem as if you are viewing a postcard.
