Mousa Island
Island off Shetland facing Sandwick that is home to the famous Mousa Broch. Best visited on a boat trip. The whole island is an RSPB reserve.
Mousa is first mentioned in Icelandic chronicles in the 9th century although we know from the Broch that the island must have been inhabuited for 1000 years before and more and must have been sufficiently important or prosperous that the inhabitants would have constructred the great tower. There is evidence that Mousa has been inhabited since Neolithic times.
The island is now entirely uninhabited by humans and is now an important breeding site for a number of important indigenous species. The island was inhabited until the mid 1850s when it was privately owned and you can still see evidence of the last inhabitants at Knowe House.
Most people visit today to see the Broch and walk around the reserve.
Useful Websites
Region
Shetland IslandsTravel Directions to Mousa Island
you can use the daily boat trip from Sandsayre Pier which departs at either 10 or 1300. Contact number 07901 872339
Remember that timings etc are weather dependent!
No booking required
Nearby Ancient Monuments
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Mousa Broch
Located on the island of Shetland - this is the world's finest surviving Iron Age Broch or tower. Located on the coast, it is dramatic and fascinating.