Mousa, Shetland, Scotland




Mousa Broch

This evening, I am posting information on the uninhabited island of Mousa which lies off the east coast of Mainland Shetland (itself an island).

The name translates as 'moor island'. In Britain a moor is usually a desolate, relatively flat piece of land which is wild and not suitable for agriculture.

Mousa is an official RSPB (bird) reserve but arguably the key attraction is the 2000 year old (approx.)  Iron Age broch, the only virtually complete such structure remaining out of about 500 which have been identified around Scotland. For more information on Scottish brochs refer this blog post.

Access

The Mousa Boat is a private ferry which operates to a pre-set schedule from the pier at Sandsayre, Sandwick.

Visitors usually spend about 2 hours 30 mins on Mousa during which time it is possible to circumnavigate the island on foot.

Birds and Wildlife

Subject to seasonal conditions the following may be seen:
  • Black Guillemots.
  • Butter Wort, a carnivorous plant.
  • Arctic Terns, seabirds which have the longest migration pattern known to man.
  • Arctic Skuas.
  • Harbour Porpoises.
  • Storm Petrels.
  • Common and Grey Seals.
  • Other birds include Snipe, Skylarks, Fulmars, Shags, Cormorant and Wrens. 
Primroses
 
Cormorants

Mousa Broch 

This is the best preserved tower in existence. It is still possible for visitors to climb the ancient internal spiral staircase and admire the view from the top which is 44 feet above ground level. Hundreds of storm petrels (tiny seabirds) have made their home in the structure.

Landscape view of Broch


Artist's impression of Broch interior when occcupied.



Interior of Broch


View from top of Broch



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more