Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland
Ward of Bressay
The Ward of Bressay tops the small island that shelters Lerwick harbour, just a few minutes by ferry from the Shetland capital. The 226m summit looks west over the masts and rooftops of Lerwick and east out past the Noss cliffs to the open North Sea.
Quick facts
- Height
- 226m/ 741ft
- Grid ref
- HU 50283 38709
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 15%
Walkers usually start from the road end above Gunnista or from the church at Bressay, climbing pasture and rough moor to the summit telecoms mast. The track is easy to follow as far as the mast and reasonable underfoot.
Terrain
Grazed grass on the lower slopes gives way to heather and short peat above, with a service track running most of the way to the mast. Boggy patches in hollows but generally drier than open Shetland moor.
In winter
Winters are wet and gusty rather than snowy; salt and rain rather than ice are the usual underfoot issue. The ferry runs year round but Lerwick gales can curtail crossings.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow14h 44m
- Edinburgh12h 6m
Ferry access
Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland)
- Crossing time720 min
- Summer sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead14 days
A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.
Book on ferry operator ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 4, OS Explorer 466N
Mobile signal: Moderate. EE intermittent; better near Lerwick.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 03:39
- Sunset
- 22:31
- Civil dawn
- 01:51
- Civil dusk
- 00:19
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Ward of Bressay — common questions
- How hard is Ward of Bressay?
- Ward of Bressay is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Grazed grass on the lower slopes gives way to heather and short peat above, with a service track running most of the way to the mast.
- When is the best time to climb Ward of Bressay?
- The standard good-weather months for Ward of Bressay are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Ward of Bressay?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Ward of Bressay?
- Moderate. EE intermittent; better near Lerwick.
- How do I get the ferry to Ward of Bressay?
- Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland). Daily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct) in summer; Daily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.
- Is Ward of Bressay safe in winter?
- Winters are wet and gusty rather than snowy; salt and rain rather than ice are the usual underfoot issue. The ferry runs year round but Lerwick gales can curtail crossings.
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