Brei Wick

Bay in Shetland

Scotland

Brei Wick

The Bight of Ham Small bay on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay.
The Bight of Ham Credit: Oliver Dixon

Brei Wick is a picturesque bay located in the Shetland Islands, off the north coast of Scotland. With its stunning natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere, it is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.

The bay is nestled between the rugged cliffs of the Shetland coastline, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The crystal-clear waters of the North Sea gently lap against the sandy beach, creating a serene and inviting environment. The beach itself is relatively small, but its remote location ensures that it remains unspoiled and uncrowded.

Brei Wick is renowned for its rich wildlife and is a haven for bird enthusiasts. The bay is home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Visitors can observe these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat and capture incredible photographs.

The bay is also known for its excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers can cast their lines from the beach or from the surrounding cliffs, hoping to catch a variety of fish species, including cod, haddock, and mackerel.

In addition to its natural wonders, Brei Wick is steeped in history. The nearby ruins of a once-thriving crofting community provide a glimpse into the past, offering a fascinating insight into the lives of the island's inhabitants.

Overall, Brei Wick is a hidden gem in the Shetland Islands, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature, witness remarkable wildlife, and explore the region's rich history. Whether it's for a peaceful walk along the beach, birdwatching, or fishing, this bay provides a truly memorable experience.

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Brei Wick Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 60.145097/-1.1487221 or Grid Reference HU4740. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Bight of Ham Small bay on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay.
The Bight of Ham
Small bay on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay.
House at the Taing of Ham
House at the Taing of Ham
Ham Peninsula on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay. Across the water are houses on the Ness of Sound <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/HU4639">HU4639</a> on Shetland Mainland.
Ham
Peninsula on the west coast of the Isle of Bressay. Across the water are houses on the Ness of Sound HU4639 on Shetland Mainland.
MV Costa Fortuna at anchor in Bressay Sound The size of the MV Costa Fortuna (464 cabins, nine swimming pools and five restaurants) meant that it was obliged to anchor out in the Sound rather than at the quayside in Lerwick. A flotilla of barges were kept busy ferrying passengers to and from the Victoria Pier. The Costa Fortuna is a sister ship to the ill-starred Costa Concordia which sank off the Italian coast in 2012.
MV Costa Fortuna at anchor in Bressay Sound
The size of the MV Costa Fortuna (464 cabins, nine swimming pools and five restaurants) meant that it was obliged to anchor out in the Sound rather than at the quayside in Lerwick. A flotilla of barges were kept busy ferrying passengers to and from the Victoria Pier. The Costa Fortuna is a sister ship to the ill-starred Costa Concordia which sank off the Italian coast in 2012.
Pullar's Loch, Sound, from the air
Pullar's Loch, Sound, from the air
Ness of Sound, Lerwick, from the air
Ness of Sound, Lerwick, from the air
Ness of Sound from the air
Ness of Sound from the air
Small boat off Ness of Sound Taken from the Knab in Lerwick.
Small boat off Ness of Sound
Taken from the Knab in Lerwick.
Coastal Farm, Bressay
Coastal Farm, Bressay
Bressay, House at Ham
Bressay, House at Ham
MV Knab, Lerwick Pilot Boat The Lerwick pilot boat, MV Knab, in Bressay Sound.
MV Knab, Lerwick Pilot Boat
The Lerwick pilot boat, MV Knab, in Bressay Sound.
Ham Coastal settlement on Bressay.
Ham
Coastal settlement on Bressay.
Cro of Ham
Cro of Ham
Cuddie Sound Passing Ness of Sound as the mist falls.
Cuddie Sound
Passing Ness of Sound as the mist falls.
Light Beacon White construction, Cro of Ham on Bressay, containing a light beacon,
that anyone who has ever taken the Lerwick-Aberdeen Ferry, must have 
seen when entering/leaving Lerwick Harbour.
Across Bressay Sound you see South Ness Cemetery.
Light Beacon
White construction, Cro of Ham on Bressay, containing a light beacon, that anyone who has ever taken the Lerwick-Aberdeen Ferry, must have seen when entering/leaving Lerwick Harbour. Across Bressay Sound you see South Ness Cemetery.
Ruggen, Ness of Sound Taken from the Marco Polo cruise ship on the way out of Lerwick.
Ruggen, Ness of Sound
Taken from the Marco Polo cruise ship on the way out of Lerwick.
Cro of Ham
Cro of Ham
Skerries on east side of Ness of Sound The gently dipping Middle Old Red Sandstone of east Mainland produces skerries with a steep side facing the shore of Ness of Sound, and a slope off into the waters of Brei Wick. This makes them easy for seals to haul out on the seaward side, and slide quickly away from the shore if disturbed, though the ones we saw had chosen a boulder beach a little way north where they seemed better camouflaged. Perhaps the less visible ones remained while ones here had already departed before we got to them ! There certainly seeme to be seal heads popping up all along the shore of Brei Wick, watching the people passing by.

In the distance in this view is Bressay Sound, overlooked by Lerwick on the left (with the prominent coastguard building on the hilltop) and Bressay on the right.
Skerries on east side of Ness of Sound
The gently dipping Middle Old Red Sandstone of east Mainland produces skerries with a steep side facing the shore of Ness of Sound, and a slope off into the waters of Brei Wick. This makes them easy for seals to haul out on the seaward side, and slide quickly away from the shore if disturbed, though the ones we saw had chosen a boulder beach a little way north where they seemed better camouflaged. Perhaps the less visible ones remained while ones here had already departed before we got to them ! There certainly seeme to be seal heads popping up all along the shore of Brei Wick, watching the people passing by. In the distance in this view is Bressay Sound, overlooked by Lerwick on the left (with the prominent coastguard building on the hilltop) and Bressay on the right.
Show me another place!

Brei Wick is located at Grid Ref: HU4740 (Lat: 60.145097, Lng: -1.1487221)

Unitary Authority: Shetland Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///dislikes.cotton.duet. Near Lerwick, Shetland Islands

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 60.145097,-1.1487221
Bight of the Sletts
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 60.1491795/-1.149466
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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