Around Lerwick
Around Lerwick
Introduction to Bressay & Noss
Lying to the east of Lerwick across the Bressay Sound is the island of Bressay (pronounced 'bressah'), which creates a sheltered harbour for the capital and led to its establishment as a major trading port. Bressay is only seven miles long by three miles wide, and makes an ideal day trip for cyclists. Another good way to get around is on foot, and there's a fine walk to the top of Ward Hill (742 ft), the highest point, from where you get great views of the island and as far afield as Foula and Out Skerries. There are also some good coastal walks, particularly along the cliffs from Noss Sound south to Bard Head, The Ord and Bressay Lighthouse, where you can see large colonies of seabirds.
Serious birdwatchers should head for Noss, a tiny, uninhabited island off the east coast of Bressay, which is a National Nature Reserve with over 100,000 pairs of breeding seabirds. A boat trip to Noss is unmissable so dont even think about coming here and not doing it. A walk around the perimeter of the island takes at least three hours but is highly recommended. At the east side is the Noup of Noss, where the 600-ft cliffs are packed full of nesting gannets. The reserve is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage who have a small visitor centre at Gungstie.
Introduction | Lerwick | Around Lerwick | Central Mainland | The Westside | South Mainland | Fair Isle | North Mainland | Whalsay and Out Skerries | Yell,Fetlar and Unst
Transport
Noss can only be visited from late May to late Aug daily, except Mon and Thu, from 1000-1700. There are regular car ferries from the old harbour in Lerwick to Bressay. From the 'Wait here' sign overlooking Noss sound on the east side of Bressay an inflatable dinghy shuttles back and forth to Noss during the island's opening hours (see above). In bad weather, call the tourist office, Tel. 693434, to check if it's sailing. A post car service runs once a day (except Sunday) from Maryfield ferry terminal to Noss Sound, Tel. 820200.