Noss NNR - visiting the reserve leaflet

Welcome to Noss National Nature Reserve

The island of Noss is renowned as one of Europe’s finest wildlife sites and is managed jointly by NatureScot and the island owner. The 181 metre high sea cliffs at the Noup of Noss are the highest on Shetland’s east coast and are a familiar landmark to seafarers approaching Lerwick. Dramatic at any time of year, in summer they come to life when tens of thousands of noisy seabirds return here to nest. It’s a true spectacle to experience the sights, sounds and smells of this seabird skyscraper.

Getting to Noss

From mainland Shetland, take the ferry from Lerwick to Bressay. Cross over Bressay to Noss visitor car park, cycle racks and quay. Take the inflatable boat shuttle from the quay at the end of the track below the car park.

Noss island & ferry information

The boat from Bressay to Noss operates May – late August daily (except Mondays and Thursdays). A red flag will fly at the house on Noss if the weather is too severe to cross. Please call ahead on the number below to avoid disappointment. 

 

Need to know

Contact information:

• Email [email protected] or tel: 01463 667600
• Follow @nossNNR.
• Support this NNR at www.nature.scot/donate-nnr

History

The island’s name comes from the Norse word for ‘nose’, possibly in the sense of a headland. Neolithic families were likely the first settlers some 1200 BC, followed by the Norse who arrived in the 8th century.

In 1633 a cradle was strung from ropes connecting Noss to the detached stack of the Holm of Noss. Over the next 200 years this gave islanders access to gulls’ eggs, and later a larger basket provided carriage for up to 12 sheep.

In 1870 the Marquis of Londonderry leased the island for use as a stud farm. He bred Shetland ponies to work underground in his coal mines in northern England.

Today, as well as being a National Nature Reserve the island is part of a sheep farm. The reserve plays a key role in long-term monitoring of internationally-important bird populations.

The moorland heart of Noss

Over 400 pairs of great skua, a globally rare species, nest in the central moorland making it the fifth largest colony in the world. They nest on the ground laying two eggs in a shallow scrape. When the fluffy chicks hatch they leave the nest and are good at hiding amongst vegetation.

The adult birds defend their nests and chicks aggressively, swooping on anything that comes close.

Mammals

Look out for harbour seals and grey seals around the shores of Noss. You may even spot an otter. Listen out for porpoises, especially in Noss Sound – on calm days you’ll often hear a loud puff as they come up for air.

Shetland wildlife names

Common name	Shetland name
Great skua	Bonxie
Guillemot	Longvie
Black guillemot	Tystie
Razorbill	Sea craa
Gannet	Solan
Fulmar	Maalie
Puffin	Tammie norie
Shag	Scarfi
Arctic skua	Skooty allan
Snipe	Horse-gök
Oystercatcher	Shadler
Ringed plover	Sandiloo
Eider	Dunter
Arctic tern	Tirrick
Seal	Selkie
Otter	Draatsi
Harbour porpoise	Neesick

Over the edge – a cliff residence

Roseroot, red campion and sea thrift are amongst the many flowers that form a natural rock garden on the cliffs. They survive here as they’re fertilised by bird droppings and are out of the reach of grazing sheep.

The cliffs offer a safe place to nest and the sea is a rich feeding ground for hungry seabirds. The shallow, sandy seabed to the north and south of the island is an important spawning ground for sandeels. These tiny fish are the staple food of many seabirds.

Guillemots crowd the ledges where they lay a single egg directly on the bare rock. Their close relative the razorbill nests here too, but chooses more secure sites in holes or under boulders.

The gannet colony is the 7th largest in the UK with impressive numbers at over 11,000 pairs. You’re likely to hear and smell them before you see them! Gannets are Britain’s largest seabirds and plunge from heights of up to 30 metres to grab fish beneath the surface.

Puffins generally mate for life and return to the same cliff top burrow year after year. After spending the winter apart at sea, bill rubbing helps to restore the bond between the pair.

Other birds you might see include shag, black guillemot and Arctic tern.

Find out more on

• Visiting the reserve
• About the reserve
• Visit more of our nature reserves

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