Noss

Noss
Location
Noss
Noss shown within the Shetland Islands
OS grid reference	HU544405
Names
Norse name	Nos
Area and summit
Area	343 hectares (1.32 sq mi)
Area rank	81
Highest elevation	181 metres (594 ft)
Population
Population	0
Groupings
Island group	Shetland
Local Authority	Shetland Islands
References	[1][2]
If shown, area and population ranks are for all Scottish islands and all inhabited Scottish islands respectively. Population data is from 2001 census.

Noss is a small, previously inhabited island in Shetland, Scotland. It is a sheep farm and has been a National Nature Reserve since 1955.

Geography

Noss is separated from the island of Bressay by the narrow Noss Sound. It has been run as a sheep farm since 1900.^[2]

Noss had a population of 20 in 1851 but has had no permanent inhabitants since 1939. The main focus of settlement on Noss was around the low lying west side of the island at Gungstie (Old Norse: a landing place). Gungstie was built in the 1670s and is currently used by the seasonal wildlife wardens. Another settlement at Setter, on the south east of the island was inhabited until the 1870s and now lies derelict. Among the few families living on Noss were the Booth family headed by Joseph Booth (1765–1847). Genealogical records indicate that he was occupied as a farmer and fish curer. Records show that he was resident on Noss as early as 1834.^[3]

Wildlife

Noss has been a National Nature Reserve since 1955.^[2] The island is linked to Bressay by a seasonal ferry service, run by the wildlife wardens using an inflatable boat.

Attractions on Noss include a visitor centre, the Pony Pund built to breed Shetland Ponies, the Holm of Noss rock and the Noup cliff. The sandstone cliffs of Noss have weathered into a series of horizontal ledges making ideal breeding grounds for gannets, puffins, guillemots, shags, Black-legged Kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars and great skuas. Otters are frequently seen around the island.

Gallery

• 

  Noup of Noss and Noss Head

• 

  Pundsgeo

• 
• 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Isle of Noss

References

External links

• Noss - Scotland's National Nature Reserves

v d e Shetland Inhabited islands Mainland Bressay Burra (East / West) Fair Isle Fetlar Foula Muckle Roe North Isles Out Skerries Papa Stour Trondra Unst Vaila Whalsay Yell Other islands Balta Bigga Brother Isle Colsay Hascosay Hildasay Lamba Linga, Muckle Roe Linga, Yell Mousa Noss Oxna Papa Papa Little Samphrey South Havra Uyea, Northmavine Uyea, Unst Vementry West Linga Towns and villages Lerwick Aith Baltasound Brae Grutness Gutcher Haroldswick Mossbank Quarff Scalloway Symbister Toft Ulsta Uyeasound Vidlin Walls Maritime features Balta Sound Bluemull Sound Burra Voe Busta Voe Sullom Voe West Voe of Sumburgh Yell Sound Extreme points (N · S · E · W) Out Stack The Skerry, off Fair Isle Bound Skerry Waster Hoevda, Foula Topics Animal breeds Etymology History Prehistory

v d e Islands of Scotland Northern Isles Shetland · List of Shetland islands · Orkney · List of Orkney islands Hebrides Outer Hebrides · List of Outer Hebrides · Inner Hebrides · List of Inner Hebrides · St Kilda Other Islands of the Clyde · Islands of the Forth · Outlying Islands  · Freshwater Islands

Coordinates: 60°8′47″N 1°1′10″W / 60.14639°N 1.01944°W / 60.14639; -1.01944

This article about a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Scotland is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v d e

This Shetland location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v d e