Bressay facts for kids
| Norse name | Breiðey/Brusey |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | Old Norse for 'broad island' or 'Brusi's island' |
 Bressay Lighthouse at Kirkabister Ness overlooking Bressay Sound |
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| OS grid reference | HU507406 |
| Coordinates | 60°09′N 1°05′W / 60.15°N 1.08°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Shetland |
| Area | 2,805 hectares (10.8 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 30 |
| Highest elevation | Ward of Bressay 226 metres (741 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Shetland Islands |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 368 |
| Population density | 13 people/km2 |
| Largest settlement | Maryfield |
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Bressay (called Bressa in Scots) is a beautiful island in Scotland. It's part of the Shetland group of islands and has people living on it.
Contents
Exploring Bressay's Landscape
Bressay is an island located near other Shetland islands. It's south of Whalsay, west of the Isle of Noss, and north of Mousa. Bressay is about 11 square miles (28 km2) big. This makes it the fifth largest island in the Shetland group. Around 360 people live on Bressay. Most of them live on the middle of the west coast, in areas like Glebe and Fullaburn.
What is Bressay Made Of?
The island is mostly made of a type of rock called Old Red Sandstone. It also has some basalt rock mixed in. People used to quarry, or dig up, a lot of building materials from Bressay. These materials were used all over Shetland, especially in the nearby town of Lerwick. You can also find cool sea caves and natural rock arches along the coast.
Lochs on Bressay
Bressay has eleven lochs, which are like small lakes. The two biggest are the Loch of Grimsetter in the east and the Loch of Brough.
Wildlife on Bressay
Bressay is a great place for birds, especially in the eastern part of the island. Many different kinds of birds stop here during their migrations. The Loch of Grimsetter is a safe place for wader birds and whooper swans. In the very south of the island, there's a group of Arctic skuas.
A Glimpse into Bressay's Past
The name Bressay might come from an old word. In 1263, it was possibly called 'Breiðoy', which means "broad island" in Old Norse. Later, in 1490, it was called "Brwsøy", meaning "Brusi's island". This might mean that an important leader named Brusi Sigurdsson, who was an Earl of Orkney in the 11th century, used Bressay as his base.
The Bressay Stone
One of the most amazing historical finds on Bressay is the Bressay Stone. It's a fantastic example of Pictish art.
It's a flat piece of chlorite slate rock. It's about 16 inches wide at the top and gets narrower towards the bottom. The thin sides of the stone have ancient writing called ogham. The two main faces of the stone show detailed knotwork patterns and pictures. At the top of each face, there is a cross. On one side, you can see two men holding crosiers (staffs carried by bishops). There are also pictures of animals like horses and pigs. One interesting image looks like someone being swallowed by two sea monsters. Some people think this might be a picture of Jonah from the Bible story.
Bressay During Wartime
During World War I and World War II, special gun placements were built on Bressay. These were used to protect Bressay Sound, which is the waterway next to the island.
Things to See and Do on Bressay
There are several interesting places to visit on Bressay.
Bressay Lighthouse
One popular attraction is the Bressay Lighthouse. It's a tall, historic building that helps guide ships.
Maryfield Attractions
In the area called Maryfield, you can find a heritage centre. This is a place where you can learn about the island's history and culture. There's also a hotel and an old mansion called Gardie House, which was built way back in 1724.
Northern Lights Spa Hotel
The Northern Lights Spa Hotel at Uphouse is special because it's the most northerly spa in Britain!
Getting Around Bressay
Frequent car ferries travel from Maryfield to Lerwick on the Shetland Mainland. This makes it easy to travel between Bressay and the main island. In the summer, a passenger ferry also connects the east coast of Bressay to the Isle of Noss. The Isle of Noss is a famous nature reserve.
Bressay Church
The Lerwick and Bressay Parish Church is part of the Church of Scotland. It has three places of worship. The Bressay Church building is located near the Marina, close to the center of the island's west coast.
Images for kids
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Full-rigged ship Maella, of Oslo, in Bressay Sound circa 1922
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Cross-bedding in Middle Old Red Sandstone on Bressay
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Loch of Setter
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View of Lerwick from Bressay
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A replica of the Pictish Bressay Stone in St. Mary's churchyard where the original stone was found.
See also
In Spanish: Bressay para niños
