Noss

Noss
Norse name Nos
Location
Noss
Noss shown within the Shetland Islands
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 [1]
Highest elevation 181 metres (594 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Country Scotland
Council area Shetland Islands
Demographics
Population 0
References [2][3]

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.[3]

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.[4]

Noss National Nature Reserve

Noss was designated a National Nature Reserve in 1955 [3] and is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).The island is linked to Bressay by a seasonal ferry service, run by the wildlife wardens using an inflatable boat.

Noss is renowned for its seabird colonies and is one of the more accessible of the internationally important seabird colonies in the North Atlantic.[5] 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 also frequently seen around the island.

Other designations

As well as a National Nature Reserve, Noss also holds two other designations for its important wildlife, including:

References

  1. ↑ Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
  2. ↑ Anderson, Joseph (Ed.) (1893) Orkneyinga Saga. Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin & Gilbert Goudie. Edinburgh. James Thin and Mercat Press (1990 reprint). ISBN 0-901824-25-9
  3. 1 2 3 Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
  4. ↑ Booth family on Shetland Island Genealogical Database
  5. ↑ "The Story of Noss National Nature Reserve" (PDF) (2nd ed.). Scottish Natural Heritage. c. 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  • Noss - Scotland's National Nature Reserves

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

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