As Shetland's second-largest island, Yell is home to around 1,000 people and sits at the heart of the North Isles.
Lies east of the northernmost part of the Shetland Mainland and is the gateway to Unst and Fetlar.
Approximately 1,000 people.
Ulsta, Burravoe, Mid Yell, Aywick, Sellafirth, Cullivoe, Gloup and surrounding settlements.
Regular ferry links to Mainland Shetland, Unst and Fetlar.
Sands of Breckon, West Sandwick Beach, The Shetland Gallery, the Old Haa and spectacular wildlife.
Regular ferry services connect the island with Mainland Shetland, Unst and Fetlar, making Yell both a destination in its own right and the gateway to the islands beyond.
Yell has two primary schools, Yell Junior High School, a health centre, a leisure centre with swimming pool and gym, local shops, fuel stations, community halls and regular ferry services.
Shops are located in Burravoe, Aywick, Mid Yell and Cullivoe, with fuel available in Aywick and Cullivoe. The ferry terminals at Ulsta connect residents with Mainland Shetland, while the terminal at Gutcher links Yell to Unst and Fetlar. Local piers at Ulsta, Burravoe, Mid Yell and Cullivoe support recreational and commercial boating.
Employment is centred around fishing, aquaculture, farming, transport, public services and tourism. Many residents also run their own businesses or commute to Mainland Shetland, with Yell's ferry service making daily travel a realistic option.
North Yell has built a reputation for enterprise and innovation. Around Cullivoe, Sellafirth and Gloup, fishing and aquaculture businesses sit alongside industrial units, marina facilities and renewable energy projects, creating a diverse local economy.
The North Yell Development Council has played a key role in supporting business growth and investing in projects that create opportunities for the future. The area is also home to the Shetland Gallery and Cullivoe Up Helly Aa, while nearby Sands of Breckon and the dramatic coastline around Gloup are enjoyed by many residents.
Mid Yell is the island's main service centre and home to many of the facilities residents rely on every day. Yell Junior High School, the health centre and the leisure centre are all based here. Nearby Aywick provides additional shopping and fuel, making this the practical heart of everyday life in Yell.
Its central position also makes travelling north to Unst or Fetlar or south to the Mainland straightforward, with both ferry routes within easy reach.
South Yell incorporates Ulsta, where the ferry connects the island with Mainland Shetland throughout the day. For those working at Sullom Voe Terminal or elsewhere on the Mainland, the crossing makes commuting a realistic option while allowing people to enjoy island life at home.
Nearby Burravoe has long been an important harbour settlement and remains a busy local community with shops, local facilities and the Old Haa, which tells the story of Yell's rich maritime and trading heritage.
Good local facilities, regular ferry links, employment opportunities and a culture of local enterprise have created a place where people continue to invest in their future. For those looking for space, independence and the chance to become part of an island community, Yell offers the opportunity to build a life that's both practical and rewarding.
It must be noted, however, that island life requires a little more planning than living in the Mainland. Ferries are part of everyday life, weather can occasionally affect travel and some services require a trip to Lerwick.
Yell has a busy calendar of events that bring people together throughout the year, including Cullivoe Up Helly Aa, the Yell Show in East Yell and the Mid Yell Regatta. You can also get involved in local sports and activities, from football, badminton and netball to sailing, with an active boating community making the most of Yell's coastline.
For many newcomers, joining a club, taking part in an event or volunteering is the quickest way to get to know people. It's also one of the reasons Yell continues to attract people who want to play an active part in the place they live.
Regular roll-on, roll-off ferries operate between Toft in Mainland Shetland and Ulsta in South Yell. Yell also provides the main ferry connection to Unst and Fetlar via Gutcher.
Yell has two primary schools, at Burravoe and Cullivoe, and Yell Junior High School in Mid Yell. Pupils continue their senior secondary education in Lerwick for S5 and S6.
Residents have access to local shops, fuel, a health centre, leisure centre with swimming pool and gym, community halls, ferry services and a wide range of clubs, organisations and recreational facilities.
Key industries include fishing, aquaculture, farming, transport, public services and tourism, alongside a growing number of independent businesses.
