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Island in the Shetland Islands of Scotland
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
The island of Bressay (say Bress-uh) is in the Shetland Islands just east of Mainland, and is the most accessible island from Lerwick. It's a peaceful place of lochs and sea caves, arches and migrating birds that is great for hikes, panoramas, historical sites, and wildlife. The island's name is probably Old Norse for "broad island", or it might refer to Brusi, an 11th-century Earl of Orkney.
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Exhibits and archived material on Bressay's history: until the 17th century it was a bigger herring-fishing port than Lerwick. With reconstructed Bronze Age Burnt Mound, which they rescued from being washed away by the sea.
This abandoned village (pronounced "Culliesbruff") was inhabited for over 2000 years, and reached by sea by the voe or inlet into the little "Bay of Cuppa". It's best known for its Iron Age broch, but only an overgrown mound remains of this, as its stone was used to build the adjacent 12th-century St Mary's Church, which is now a ruin. The Bressay Stone was found in the graveyard, an 8th- or 9th-century Pictish slab with Ogham inscriptions. The stone is now in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, with a replica placed here. Other features are the ruins of the church manse, crofters' cottages and fishing huts.
"Building a lighthouse in Shetland is too dangerous and expensive, and any ship's captain who sails this route is mad"... fortunately the Stevenson brothers changed their mind, and they built this and three other lighthouses around Shetland in the 1850s. It's still active, though its foghorn has been replaced by a radar mast, and the light has been replaced by a modern gantry with a LED.
In summer, weather permitting, a little Rigid Inflatable Boat sails on demand. Call the 0800 number to confirm that it is operating. Anyone with restricted mobility will do better to take a boat tour from Lerwick.
Splendid small hotel with 3 spacious bedrooms en suite. Restaurant and bar open to non-residents.
Two self-catering cottages at the lighthouse. Each sleeps six, with two double bedrooms and one twin. Closed for renovations. No pets. The same company also lets the lighthouse cottages at Sumburgh (south tip of mainland Shetland) and Eshaness (north tip).
The island post office. It has limited hours and is the only shop here, as islanders can easily reach Lerwick.
Car ferries sail from Lerwick, leaving from the Albert Building (the big red corrugated metal building) in town centre.
Read in the guideThe few roads on Bressay are in good condition; other tracks are suitable for off-road bikes.
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Lerwick, Shetland · Regional · LSI
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