Name: Bressays Heritage Centre
Rating: 5.0

Bressays Heritage Centre

Speldiburn Café, Gunnista Road, Shetland ZE2 9EL, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Bressays Heritage Centre has been inhabited for the past 6000 years and the burnt mounds, brochs and Neolithic remains in locations across the Island offer visitors a little glimpse into the distant past.

An interesting visitor attraction is the reconstruction, next to the Heritage Centre, of the central core of a Bronze Age Burnt Mound, which Bressay History Group ‘rescued’ from being washed away by the sea. Onsite interpretation will assist visitors to explore the interior of this unique mysterious construction.

If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Heritage: Bressay has been inhabited for the past 6000 years and the burnt mounds, brochs and Neolithic remains in locations across the Island offer visitors a little glimpse into the distant past.
Nature: Bressay’s mixture of peat hills, improved croft land, beaches and cliffs provides a rich variety of habitat which is easily accessed for anyone hoping to see a range of flora, birds, otters and seals.
Marina: Operated by the Bressay Boating Club. Slipway for small craft, spare berth for visiting yachts drawing less than 1.5m.
Camping: Caravan parking with electric hook up points are avaliable at the Bressay Marina Caravan Park. Please ask local land owners permission if you'd like to put up a tent near to housing or livestock.
Bressay Lighthouse: Built at the south end of Bressay in 1858 and designed by brothers David and Thomas Stevenson to guide mariners into Bressay sound, the light is no longer in use as it has been replaced by a smaller automated light on the cliffs nearby.
Ferry - Speldiburn: From the ferry to the Speldiburn cafe is an easy walk (approx. 20mins) with plenty of interest. The Bressay Heritage Centre is situated at the ferry terminal, and open every day, except Monday & Thursday, May - Sep. Outside the centre is a burnt mound, moved from a precarious site on Cruester’s shore it now offers a unique chance to see the insides of one of these mysterious monuments.
Playpark & football pitch: The Bressay play park and the sports pitch are separate sites both bordering the houses at Fullaburn. Open all year round, the play park is secure and well equipped and only a 10-minute walk from the Speldiburn Café.
WWI remains: Bressay boasts 2 naval guns complete with underground magazines, one at the Bard on Bressay’s southern tip and one on Scord Hill at the north.
Aith: The area Aith and Aithsness makes a fabulous walk, The 19th century buildings at Aith now mostly form a sheep enclosure (crö), with remains of Viking houses and a broch nearby.
Wadbister: The townships of Wadbister and Grimsetter and the croft of Gorie form an oasis overlooking the loch of Grimsetter on Bressay’s east side.
Wart: Highest point, the Ward Hill (226m) offers spectacular views extending, on a clear day, over most of Shetland. The track which begins just to the south of the Bressay Playpark is drivable with care in most cars but walking will allow for the best appreciation of the view as you ascend.
Rescues & Wrecks trail: Researched and designed by Bressay Primary School pupils with help from Bressay History Group, the 6 panels installed in 2014 form a trail which tell the stories of 9 shipwrecks which occurred on Bressay's coastline.
Cullingsbrough (pronounced Culliesbrough): Culliesbrough provides a great example of Shetland habitation over many centuries. Croft houses and outbuildings plus the former manse crowd the centre of the site which also includes a Neolithic turf dyke, Viking houses and the graveyard of the cross-shaped kirk of St Mary's which stands in part on the remains of a broch.
Noss National Nature Reserve: Noss is a small island off the east coast of Bressay which is one of the most important seabird colonies in Scotland.

Facilities

Food & Drinks: Speldiburn Café - Situated in the newly refurbished former primary school along with a community library and Good As New Shop, the Speldiburn Café offers freshly made soups, light lunches and home baked cakes.
Toilets: There are public toilets at the ferry terminal and at the Speldiburn Cafe.