Orkney & Shetland Islands - Scotland - page 883

OFFBEAT ACCOMMODATION

Shetland offers intriguing options for getting off the beaten accommodation track. There's a great network of böds
- simple rustic cottages or huts with peat fires. They cost £10 per person, or £8 for the ones without electricity,
and are available from March to October. Contact and book via Shetland Amenity Trust ( 01595-694688;
www.camping-bods.com ) .

The same organisation runs three Lighthouse Cottages ( 01595-694688; www.shetlandlighthouse.com ) ,
commanding dramatic views of rugged coastline: one at Sumburgh (under renovation until 2014), one on the is-
land of Bressay near Lerwick, and one at Eshaness. Sleeping six to seven, the cottages cost from £190 to £290 for
a three-night booking in high season.

Bressay & Noss

POP 350
These islands lie across Bressay Sound just east of Lerwick. Bressay ( bress -ah) has some
interesting walks, especially along the cliffs and up Ward Hill (226m), which has good
views of the islands. Much smaller Noss, east of Bressay, is a nature reserve.

Sights & Activities

Isle of Noss
( 0800-107 7818; www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/noss ; boat adult/child £3/1.50;
10am-5pm Tue, Wed & Fri-Sun May-Aug) Little Noss, 1.5 miles wide, lies 150m east of
Bressay. The high seacliffs on its east coast provide nesting sites for more than 100,000
pairs of breeding seabirds, while the inland heath supports 400 pairs of great skua.
Access is by dinghy from Bressay; if you see a red flag on Noss from the car park
above the boat dock, it's not running. Phone in advance to check. Walking anticlockwise
around Noss is an easier hike with better cliff viewing. There's a small visitor centre by
the boat dock.

NATURE RESERVE

Seabirds & Seals
( 07595-540224; www.seabirds-and-seals.com ; adult/child £45/25; 10am & 2pm
mid-Apr-mid-Sep) Runs three-hour wildlife cruises (10am and 2pm) around Bressay and

CRUISE