Bressay
Island Shetland island with maritime heritage and cliffs
Bressay, off Shetland’s east coast, offers coastal walks, seabird colonies and a working harbour. Visitors take short ferries from Lerwick to see lighthouses, archaeological sites and cliffs favoured by birdwatchers.
Bressay is an island in the Shetland Islands of Scotland, lying just to the east of Lerwick on the Mainland. It is a settled island with roaded communities and coastal features.
Coastal cliffs and sheltered bays make the island notable for birdlife and maritime scenery, and visitors commonly travel from Lerwick by a short ferry crossing. The island contains a lighthouse and harbour facilities used historically to guide shipping around local sounds.
Bressay has been occupied since Norse times and its communities and land use reflect Shetland’s mixed crofting and fishing heritage. It sits in Lerwick’s immediate vicinity and is part of the archipelago’s central group of islands.
- Ferry link: served by a short ferry crossing from Lerwick, providing the island with regular passenger and vehicle links to Shetland's main town.
What to See #
- Bressay Lighthouse: a lighthouse and associated coastal features that mark approaches to Lerwick and local harbours.
How to Get to Bressay #
Bressay is an island off Lerwick in Shetland. From mainland Scotland you typically fly to Sumburgh Airport (Loganair services) and then travel by road or bus to Lerwick; from Lerwick there is a short vehicle and passenger ferry operated by Shetland Islands Council that crosses to Bressay (the crossing is only a few minutes). The ferry terminal in Lerwick is within easy walking distance of the town centre.
Tips for Visiting Bressay #
- Take the regular ferry from Lerwick to Bressay and check the Shetland Islands Council timetable in advance-arriving early in the day leaves more time to explore the island before the last return ferry.
- Explore the headlands and sound around the island for seabird and seal viewing; the quieter northern and southern shores offer the best chances for wildlife without the crowds who stay near Lerwick.
Best Time to Visit Bressay #
Visit Bressay in summer for the mildest weather and best ferry/visitor services; shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Bressay #
Bressay's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1192 mm/year), wettest in November.
January
January is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (147 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
