Yell is one of the three North Isles and the second largest of the Shetland Islands. Covering 83 square miles, it offers diverse coastal scenery, beaches, wild moorland, small settlements, wildlife and rich history to explore.

A quick introduction

Yell is a largely rectangular island of peaty moorland and grazing sheep – many of which wander freely onto the roads, so drivers take care! The landscape is dotted with coastal crofting communities, the largest being Mid Yell.

Settled since Neolithic times, the island is home to 12 known broch sites. Norse influence remains evident in place names such as Dalsetter and Gossawater. In the 17th century, Burravoe became an important Hanseatic trading post, while fishing supported the local economy into the 1950s.

Today, around 1,000 people live in Yell, where traditional life sits alongside innovation. The island hosted the world’s first community-owned tidal turbine in 2014, and although it was decommissioned in 2016, the Garth Wind Farm – opened in 2017 – continues to fund local initiatives, including Europe’s largest community-owned industrial estate. Fishing, aquaculture and sea angling also remain central to the economy.

How to get to Yell

Scheduled daily ferries run from Toft in the north Mainland to Ulsta in Yell. You can also take the car ferry onwards from Yell to Unst and/or Fetlar.

There are various bus services throughout Yell, and also to/from Lerwick. See the ZetTrans website for the latest timetables.

Where to stay

There's a range of self-catering and bed and breakfast options in Yell; see our Accommodation page.

Download a printable Yell Visitor Leaflet

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Things to see and do in Yell

Useful information
  • There are shops in Burravoe, Aywick, Mid Yell and Cullivoe.
  • Public toilets can be found at the ferry terminals at Ulsta and Gutcher, and at Cullivoe Pier.
  • Fuel is available at Aywick and Cullivoe.
  • You can berth your boat or yacht at the piers found at Ulsta, Burravoe, Cullivoe and Mid Yell. See the Sail page for more information.

Outdoor activities

Wildlife watching

There are nationally important nature reserves such as the RSPB's Lumbister, the Yell Sound islands and the island of Hascosay. But the whole area teems with wildlife, especially during the summer, so there's always something to delight birdwatchers, hill walkers or casual strollers.

Yell has especially desirable 'real estate' for wandering families of otters because there's plenty of low-lying peaty shoreline where they can excavate holts with good fresh water supplies.

With luck and binoculars, you may spot harbour porpoises some distance offshore or, less frequently, dolphins and orcas, particularly in Bluemull Sound and Yell Sound. Local ferrymen often keep notes of cetacean sightings and are pleased to share information with passengers if you ask what they've seen today.

Yell was home to a famous Shetland naturalist, musician and author, the late Bobby Tulloch, the RSPB representative here for many years. As well as logging rarities like Fetlar's Snowy Owl, Bobby did much to publicise Shetland's treasure house of commoner birds, animals and plants worldwide. At the Old Haa there's a special section devoted to Bobby's wonderful collection of wildlife photographs, most of them taken in his native island.

Walking in Yell

Yell is blessed with some of Shetland's most beautiful beaches, including two award-winning beaches: Sands of Breckon and West Sandwick. The beaches at Gossabrough, Vatsetter and Hamnavoe and the double tombolo at Ness of Sound are also well worth visiting. If you're looking for self-guided walks around Yell, see the Walking section of this website.

Fascinating facts

  • There are multiple theories behind the distinctive island name 'Yell'. According to Wikipedia, it may have originally been a Pictish name, or the Proto-Norse was 'Jala' or 'Jela', which may have meant 'white island' referring to the beaches. Or then there's the Old Norse 'Gjall', which means 'barren'.
  • Excavations have been made of an Iron-Age settlement at the Tafts of Bayanne at Sellafirth. Information about the site is available at Bayanne House where there are also facilities for family history research.
  • On 21 July 1881 a fierce storm hit Shetland, resulting in the death of 58 haaf fishermen near Gloup Voe, west of Cullivoe. It was one of Shetland's biggest fishing tragedies, leaving behind 34 widows and 85 orphans. There’s a poignant memorial commemorating those lost at Gloup and a nice walk down to the beach below.

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