Isle of Noss facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Isle of Noss

Norse name	Nos
Meaning of name	Old Norse for "nose"
OS grid reference	HU544405
Coordinates	60°09′N 1°01′W / 60.15°N 1.02°W / 60.15; -1.02
Physical geography
Island group	Shetland
Area	343 hectares (1.32 sq mi)
Area rank	81
Highest elevation	181 metres (594 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Council area	Shetland Islands
Demographics
Population	0

The Isle of Noss, or simply Noss, is a small island in Shetland, Scotland. It used to have people living on it, but now it's home to amazing wildlife. Noss is very close to the island of Bressay, separated by a small stretch of water called Noss Sound.

Since 1900, Noss has been used as a sheep farm. It also became a special protected area, known as a national nature reserve, in 1955. This means its nature is kept safe.

Noss is a popular spot for people who love to see wildlife. You can get there by a special ferry that runs during certain times of the year. This ferry is run by the wildlife wardens using a small inflatable boat. Many visitors come to Noss each year to explore its natural beauty.

When you visit Noss, you can check out the visitor centre. There's also the Pony Pund, a place built to breed Shetland ponies. Don't miss the impressive Holm of Noss rock and the towering Noup cliff!

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Noss

The name Noss comes from an old language called Old Norse. In Old Norse, nǫs means "nose."

Most other islands of a similar size in Shetland have names that mean "nose island." But Noss is just "nose." This makes experts think that Noss might have once been connected to the nearby island of Bressay. It might have been a peninsula (land almost surrounded by water). Over time, the sea might have washed away the narrow strip of land connecting it, turning it into a separate island.

A Look Back: The History of Noss

Noss once had people living on it. In 1851, about 20 people called Noss home. However, no one has lived there permanently since 1939.

The main place where people lived on Noss was on the low-lying west side of the island. This area is called Gungstie. The name Gungstie comes from Old Norse and means "a landing place." The buildings at Gungstie were built in the 1670s. Today, seasonal wildlife wardens use these buildings.

Another settlement, called Setter, was on the southeast side of the island. People lived there until the 1870s, but now it's just ruins. One family who lived on Noss was the Booth family, led by Joseph Booth. He was a farmer and also helped prepare fish. Records show he lived on Noss as early as 1834.

Amazing Wildlife: Plants and Animals of Noss

Noss became a national nature reserve in 1955. This means it's a special place where nature is protected. NatureScot, an organization that looks after Scotland's nature, manages the island.

Noss is famous for its huge colonies of seabirds. It's one of the best and easiest places to visit to see important seabird colonies in the North Atlantic. The cliffs of Noss are made of sandstone. Over time, the wind and water have shaped these cliffs into many flat ledges. These ledges are perfect places for birds to build their nests and raise their young.

You can see many types of seabirds here, including gannets, puffins, guillemots, shags, black-legged kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars, and great skuas. Over the last 100 years, some bird populations have grown a lot, while others have decreased. Four new types of birds have started nesting here: gannets, fulmars, great skuas, and storm petrels.

Besides seabirds, many waders (birds that walk in shallow water) also breed on Noss. These include dunlins, snipes, oystercatchers, and ringed plovers. Other birds that nest on the island are skylarks, meadow pipits, rock pipits, and wheatears.

You might also spot otters swimming around the island. Small numbers of grey and common seals are also seen in the waters near Noss. In total, ten different types of cetaceans (sea mammals like whales and dolphins) have been seen off Noss. The most common one is the harbour porpoise.

Noss is also home to many different plants and other living things. Scientists have found 137 types of vascular plants (plants with roots, stems, and leaves), 25 types of fungi and lichens, 44 types of mosses and liverworts, and 30 types of algae. Two rare types of vascular plants, called small adder's-tongue and northern knotgrass, grow here. A rare lichen called Lecanora straminea is also found on Noss.

Protecting Noss: Conservation Efforts

The Noss National Nature Reserve is a special kind of protected area. It is classified as a Category IV area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means it's a place managed mainly for protecting specific habitats or species.

Noss also has other important protections for its wildlife. It is known as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These titles show how important Noss is for its unique plants and animals.

Gallery

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  Noup of Noss and Noss Head

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  Pundsgeo

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See also

In Spanish: Isla de Noss para niños