Bigga, Shetland facts for kids
| Norse name | Bygðey |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | Old Norse for "island of the building" |
| OS grid reference | HU444792 |
| Coordinates | 60°30′N 1°11′W / 60.50°N 1.19°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Shetland |
| Area | 78 ha (0.30 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 164= |
| Highest elevation | 34 m (112 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Shetland Islands |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Bigga is a small island in Scotland. It's located in the Shetland Islands. You can find it between the larger islands of Mainland and Yell. No one lives on Bigga today.
Contents
What is Bigga Like?
Bigga is about 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) long. It covers an area of 78 hectares (0.3 square miles). The highest point on the island is 34 meters (112 feet) tall. The island looks a bit like a body. It has a "head" and a "torso." The narrow part connecting them is called the "neck." This "neck" is made by two bays. They are called Wester Hevda Wick and Easter Hevda Wick. "Hevda Wick" means "seaweed bay" in an old language called Norn.
In the past, people used to farm cattle and sheep here. Bigga is part of two local areas. These are called the civil parishes of Delting and Yell. The island's rocks are made of a type of material called gneiss and quartzite.
Bigga's Story: A Look Back in Time
The name "Bigga" might come from an old language. In Old Norse, bygðey means "island of the building." This could mean there was an important old structure on the island.
On the southern part of Bigga, you can find some old remains. There is an old well, a chapel, and a burial ground. In the north, there is a small pile of stones called a prehistoric cairn. This cairn was built a very long time ago. Also in the north are the remains of Norrabister. This was once the main settlement on the island.
The Shipwreck of the Pribislaw
In 1870, a German sailing ship called the Pribislaw crashed here. It was 160 years old at the time. This ship had a long history. It used to carry German people from Hamburg to Australia. They were moving to a new life in Victoria, Australia.
After the crash, the Pribislaw was moved to Lerwick. It was used there as a store and a workshop. This continued until the 1950s. In 2005, the remaining parts of the ship were dug up. They were then taken all the way to Whittlesea, Australia.
A Snowy Yule Adventure
During World War II, two sailors from nearby Yell wanted to go home. They were on shore leave and wanted to celebrate Yule (Christmas). The weather was very bad. It was stormy and snowy. The usual ferry to Yell was not running.
So, they borrowed a friend's boat. But the weather forced them to land on Bigga. They found shelter in a small hut. To stay warm, they danced and played the fiddle. The next day, they finally managed to reach Yell.
Images for kids
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Bigga island from the sea
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Sheep in south Yell, with Bigga behind
