Bressay – a Ferry, a Café and the Top of the Ward
A day, from the Bressay ferry, Lerwick and back.
The route
Bressay is the island across the water from Lerwick, a seven-minute crossing on the little car ferry.
There are often seals at the marina and ponies by the shop, then soup and cake in the old school canteen and a play park. To finish, a track climbs to the top of the Ward with most of Shetland laid out below. It suits families with children happy to walk five or six miles.
The day
Bressay
A short hop over the sound, a walk along the shore to lunch, swings at the play park and a climb to the island's highest point before the boat home.
About five hours
The ferry from Lerwick to Bressay
The Bressay ferry sails from the slip by Albert Buildings in the centre of Lerwick, a few minutes' walk from the Viking bus station. Foot passengers just walk on: you pay on the way out, £2.80 return for an adult at the time of writing, and the crossing takes seven minutes. Boats run about every hour through the day, from early morning until late evening, and the 11am suits this day. Check Shetland Islands Council's ferry timetable before you go, as times change with the season.
20 min on foot
Speldiburn Café
Lunch
It's a 20-minute walk from the ferry along the shore road. You pass the marina, where seals often haul out on the rocks, then the church and the Mail shop, with two Shetland ponies in the fields beside it. The Speldiburn Café is in the old school canteen, with lunchtime specials, soups, toasties, paninis and homemade cakes, and there are toilets here and at the ferry. From May to October it opens Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 3pm, and serves lunch on Saturdays from 11.45am; for its winter days, ring 01595 820706. Bring a picnic too, in case it's shut.
10 min on foot
The Ward of Bressay
From the café it's 10 minutes' walk to the play park at Fullaburn, which is open all year, secure and well equipped. The track up the Ward of Bressay starts just south of it, and from the café to the top is about 3 kilometres, uphill all the way. At 226 metres the Ward is the island's highest point, and on a clear day the view reaches over most of Shetland. The track is wide enough for a car to drive with care, so the going is easy underfoot, but the top is open and windy, so take warm layers and turn back in low cloud. In late October the sun sets soon after 4pm, so be at the bottom by then.
About 55 min on foot
The ferry from Bressay to Lerwick
Walk back down the track and along the road to the ferry terminal, about 4.5 kilometres and an hour on foot. On weekdays boats leave Bressay at 3pm, 3.45pm, 4.20pm and 5pm, and on through the evening; the last one leaves at 10.45pm most nights, later on Fridays and Saturdays. On Saturdays and Sundays the afternoon boats are at 3pm and 4pm. Check the council's timetable on the day, and its ferry updates in high wind.
If it rains
There's no shelter on the Ward: on a wet or wild day, cross for lunch at the Speldiburn Café and the play park, and leave the hill for a clear one. In high wind check the council's ferry updates first.
Photographs by Andrea Williamson, Don Woodhouse, Speldiburn Café and Richard Lindsay via Google