Welcome to Bressay & Noss

Within ten minutes you can exchange the bustle of Lerwick town for the tranquil rural atmosphere of Bressay.

The island is home to around 400 people, many of whom commute to the Mainland daily on the frequent car and passenger ferry service. Lying to the east of Lerwick the island of Bressay, 7 x 3 miles (11 x 8 km), creates a superb sheltered harbour for shipping the reason for Lerwick's establishment as a major trading port.

From Viking times Bressay Sound has provided a safe anchorage and in the mid 17th Century up to 1,500 Dutch herring fishing vessels gathered here.

Getting Around

Motorists will enjoy exploring the island's network of single track roads, please do not drive on unmetalled tracks. Bressay is also an ideal island for walkers and many interesting sites are only accessible on foot. Please keep to paths or the edges of fields when crossing crofting areas and close any gates which you have opened. To prevent disturbance of livestock and wildlife please keep dogs on leads at all times.

A panoramic view of Aith Voe

Geology and Landscape

The Old Red Sandstone rocks that make up most of Bressay and Noss have eroded into a series of rounded hills, the highest of which is Ward
Hill at 742 ft (226 m). Along parts of the eastern coastline and particularly at the Ord and the Bard there are high seacliffs. Elsewhere the rocky coast is fringed with fertile soils and agricultural land but much of the interior is heather moorland. The sandstone flags provide ideal
building material to which the many skilfully built drystone
dykes and croft buildings stand testimony.