Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shetland ponies. he most memorable feature of Noss are its eastern sea cliffs , rising to
a peak at the massive Noup (500ft), from which can be seen vast colonies of cliff-
nesting gannets, pu ns, guillemots, shags, razorbills and fulmars: one of the highlights
of Shetland. As Noss is only a mile or so wide, it's easy enough to walk to the sea cliffs
and back (allow 4hr), but make sure you keep close to the coast, since otherwise the
great skuas (locally known as “bonxies”) will dive-bomb you.
ARRIVAL AND GETTING AROUND
BRESSAY AND NOSS
By ferry The car ferry to Bressay departs from the town
harbour in Lerwick (every 30min-1hr; 7min; T 01595
743974) and arrives in Maryfield on the west coast. The RIB
ferry to Noss (May-Aug Mon & Thurs 11am-5pm; £3 return;
before setting out phone T 0800 107 7818, W nature-
shetland.co.uk) leaves from the east coast, 3 miles from
Maryfield - an easy walk or short journey on a bike, bus or car.
By bus A bus will meet the 9am Bressay ferry (Mon, Wed & Fri)
and take you to Noss, but for the return journey it's best to book
the Dial-a-Ride service ( T 01595 745745) the day before.
By boat Seabirds and Seals run a 3hr sightseeing boat
from Lerwick (mid-April to mid-Sept daily 10am & 2pm;
£45; T 07595 540224, W seabirds-and-seals.com),
allowing you a sea view of the vast bird colonies.
Scalloway
As you approach SCALLOWAY from the east, there's a dramatic view over the town
and the islands beyond. Once the capital of Shetland, Scalloway's importance waned
during the eighteenth century as Lerwick, just six miles to the east, grew in trading
success and status. Nowadays, Scalloway is fairly sleepy, though its harbour remains
busy enough, with a small fishing fleet and the North Atlantic Fisheries College on
the far side.
16
Scalloway Castle
If the door is locked, get key from Scalloway Museum or Scalloway Hotel • Free; HS
In spite of modern developments nearby, Scalloway is dominated by the imposing shell
of Scalloway Castle , a classic fortified tower house built with forced labour in 1600 by
the infamous Earl Patrick Stewart, and thus seen as a powerful symbol of oppression.
Stewart, who'd succeeded to the Lordship of Shetland in 1592, held court here,
reputedly increasing his power and wealth by using harsh justice to confiscate assets.
He was eventually arrested and imprisoned in 1609 for his aggression toward his fellow
landowners; his son, Robert, attempted an insurrection and both were executed in
Edinburgh in 1615. he castle fell into disrepair in the following century; what
remains is fun to explore.
Scalloway Museum
May-Sept Mon-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 2-4pm • £3 • T 01595 880734, W scallowaymuseum.org
he Scalloway Museum occupies the old knitwear outlet next to the castle, has a café
overlooking the ruin and a couple of Shetland ponies in the next door field. he
displays range from Neolithic finds to the impact of modern aquaculture, and there's a
replica wheelhouse and a longship for the kids to play with, but the most interesting
section tells the story of the Shetland Bus (see box, p.564). here are models of some of
the fishing boats that made the trip across the North Sea, a replica of the Lewis guns
that were hidden in oil drums aboard the ships and a miniature radio receiver supplied
to the Norwegian Resistance.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
SCALLOWAY
By bus There are regular buses to Scalloway from Lerwick
(Mon-Sat hourly, 2 on Sun; 25min) and a less frequent
service from Scalloway to Trondra and Burra (Mon-Sat 2
daily; 20min).
 
 
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