under the cliffs at Noss

gannets overhead

The island of Noss, to the east of Bressay, is a National Nature Reserve. The high cliffs on its east side are home to huge seabird colonies, including gannets, guillemots, puffins, and many more.

First we take the regular ferry to Bressay, and drive over to the east side where we launch and paddle round the north of Noss and down the east coast. First we see guillemots, razorbills and puffins, then eventually as the cliffs get higher we come to the gannets. They whirl above us in their thousands, the sky darkens and the air is full of their raucous cries. A landing is possible on slabs just below the highest cliffs at the Noup. Here we can watch the gannets whirling and diving while we have lunch.

As we continue around the south and east there are caves to explore, then a beautiful little beach to land on while we visit the information point at Gungstie, and watch the walkers being ferried across Noss Sound in a small inflatable.