Exploring Skerries with Leah

In the last of her adventures to Shetland’s islands with small populations this summer, Leah visited Skerries, also known as Out Skerries. Lying north-east of Whalsay, the islands are quite unlike other parts of Shetland and because of their location are less popular with visiting tourists who tend to favour the North Isles. But, to ignore Skerries is to miss out on one of Shetland’s hidden gems, as Leah discovered during her recent visit.

Here are her top tips if you’re planning a visit to Skerries…

1. Be enchanted by its charm

I’d been to Skerries as a child but this was the first time I’d visited as an adult. I was struck by how charming it is. It has a really quaint, village feel with lots of lovely houses. When you step off the ferry from Vidlin you immediately feel like you’re in a completely different place to the rest of Shetland. Skerries definitely feels like it has its own unique character. While not as visually dramatic as islands like Fair Isle and Foula, due to the lack of spectacular sea cliffs, there’s still plenty to see and explore.

A skerry is a rock in the sea and it is often assumed that the Out Skerries were named because they are remote. In fact, the name comes from the Old Norse word for east, distinguishing Out Skerries from the Ve Skerries (meaning west).

2. Look at the lighthouse

Skerries has a regular ferry service from Vidlin, and occasionally Lerwick, making it the ideal spot for a day trip. The two inhabited islands, Bruray and Housay, are joined by a bridge but the road is less than a mile long so the best way to see Skerries is to explore on foot. The landscape is relatively flat and it’s easy to walk around.

One of the highlights is the lighthouse on Bound Skerry, which marks the most easterly point in Shetland. It was built by the Stevenson brothers in 1857 and the author Robert Louis Stevenson’s signature appears in the visitors’ book. The lighthouse is now automatic but when it was manned the lighthouse keepers would stay on Grunnay, a now uninhabited island. You can’t actually get to the lighthouse but you can admire it from afar and you pass it on the ferry.

3. Walk up to the watchtower

There’s an old watchtower at the top of Bruray Wart. It’s definitely worth climbing up there to see the stunning 360º views of Shetland. You can see Whalsay, Fetlar, Yell and Shetland Mainland in the distance. Take a moment and just savour the views. From this vantage point, you can also see all of Skerries' natural harbours and inlets, and can understand why so many ships ran aground here in the past. Which brings me on to my next point…

4. Learn about Skerries' maritime past

Skerries' identity has been shaped by the sea. As well as fishing being the mainstay of the economy, the islands are known for their shipwrecks, including the sailing ships Kennemerland and De Liefde, which were wrecked in the 17th and 18th centuries and said to be laden with treasure. You can see evidence of remnants from shipwrecks dotted around Skerries as you walk, as well as other items that have washed ashore. It’s fascinating if you are interested in naval or maritime history.

Like other parts of Shetland, Skerries was also once home to the haaf (deep sea) fishermen during the summer months. You can see the remains of their lodges at the Lang Ayre on Bruray and at the North Mills on the West Isle.