Mousa Broch is
the finest surviving example of a 2,000 year old Iron Age tower, or broch.
It was one of about 120 built throughout Shetland as times became more
troubled. Mentioned in the sagas as an eloping lovers' hideout, Mousa
Broch is one of the wonders of European archaeology.
Storm
petrels (alamooties) nest within its stone chambers. Feeding far
out to sea, these tiny swallow like birds return to their nests under the
cover of darkness to avoid other larger predatory seabirds. A midnight
excursion to see and hear the storm petrels is an experience not to be
missed.
Mousa abounds
in other wildlife: a large colony of common and grey seals basks on the
east side of the island; there's a chance you may see an otter (dratsi);
fulmars (maalies) and black guillemots (tysties) are very
common; and great skuas (bonxies), Arctic skuas (skootie
aalins) and Arctic terns (tirricks) defend their nesting
grounds by dive-bombing all intruders, humans included - so try to walk
round the breeding colonies, for their sakes and yours.
