Noss

NOSS

How do I get to Noss?   Loganair (part of the Flybe group) fly from Aberdeen, Belfast, Benbecula, Birmingham, Campbeltown, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Guernsey, Inverness, Isle of Man, Jersey, Leeds/Bradford, Kirkwall, London (Gatwick), Manchester, Manston (Kent), Newquay, Norwich, Southampton and Stornoway to Sumburgh airport on the southern tip of mainland Shetland. Or, you could travel to Shetland by Northlink ferry from the ferry terminal in Aberdeen. To reach Noss you must first cross the island of Bressay to which there is a regular ferry service from Lerwick. The crossing to Bressay takes about 10 minutes. Then, it is 3 miles across Bressay to the Noss Car Park. A short walk across a track takes you to the ferry point. The small inflatable boat to Noss is operated by Scottish Natural Heritage. A small charge is made for the return journey.  Also, Seabirds and Seals and Thule Charters offer excursions around the coast of Noss.

How do I get around Noss?   On foot! There are no roads, just tracks leading around the island.

What's worth visiting on Noss?  Noss was declared a National Nature Reserve in 1955 and is justifiably famous for it's seabird population. There are large colonies of Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Herring Gulls, Shags, Gannets, Fulmars and Kittiwakes. Noss is often referred to as 'Seabird City' or 'Garden of the Cliffs'. There is also a Pony Pund built to breed Shetland Ponies. However, the remaining buildings of the Pony Pund serve as the Noss Visitor Centre and there is a small exhibition about Shetland Ponies within the Visitor Centre.

Where can I stay on Noss?  There is no accommodation on Noss. The nearest accommodation is on nearby Bressay.  Maryfield House Hotel is the only hotel on Bressay. However, if you want to really get away from it all, try the Bressay Lighthouse, at the southern end of the island. Alternatively, you could try the Northern Lights Holistic Spa.

Are there any books/DVD's about Noss?  Shetland sanctuary: Birds on the Isle of Noss by Richard PerryIsle of Noss, Shetland: A Guide by David Butler

Any other information on Noss?  The island is open from 10am to 5pm (except Mondays and Thursdays) from late May to the end of August. A red flag is flown on the island if it is closed.

Other islands in Shetland:  See the pages for Mainland Shetland, Bressay, Burra Isles, Fair Isle, Fetlar, Foula, Mousa, Out Skerries, Papa Stour, Unst, Whalsay and Yell.

*Please see images above for details of any copyright information on the images in the Gallery.