Housay
Island Inhabited island in the Shetland archipelago's Out Skerries
Housay is one of the Out Skerries in Shetland, a tiny inhabited island with rocky coasts and seabird colonies. Visitors arrive by ferry or small boat for birdwatching and a sense of remote island life.
Housay is a small inhabited island in the Out Skerries archipelago off the northeast coast of Shetland, Scotland. It is one of the principal islands in the Out Skerries group and lies within the Shetland Islands council area.
The island contains a compact settlement, small harbours and rocky coastal terrain used historically for fishing and crofting. The landscape is low-lying with coastal paths and seabird habitats that attract local visitors and birdwatchers.
Housay has long-standing ties to the maritime and crofting economy of the Skerries; settlement patterns reflect Norse and Scottish island history. The island has remained sparsely populated and retains traditional island buildings and piers.
Geographically it sits off the northeast tip of mainland Shetland within the North Sea, forming part of the Out Skerries cluster of isles and skerries.
Tips for Visiting Housay #
- Check inter‑island transport timetables well before you travel - services to the Out Skerries (Housay) are limited and often seasonal, so plan for possible weather delays.
- Visit in summer for the best chance to see seabird colonies and seals; if you land by boat, use the main village quay and follow local signs about restricted nesting areas.
Best Time to Visit Housay #
Best visited in summer (June-August) when weather is mildest and transport to the island is most reliable.
Weather & Climate near Housay #
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1240 mm/year), wettest in November.
January
January is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (141 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (102 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 (123 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 (74 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 (50 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 (58 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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August
August is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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September
September is cool with highs of 12°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (118 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 (134 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 (153 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (147 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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