Bressay

Bressay, one of the Shetland Isles, separated from Lerwick by Bressay Sound. It is 6 miles long, 1 to 3 miles in breadth, and 10$\backslash frac\{3\}\{4\}$ sq. m. in area. The prevailing rocks are Devonian. Flag and roofing stones are quarried for exportation. The coast is rocky, there are several caverns, and the highest point is 724 feet above sea-level. Pop. 799, most of them fishermen. Bressay Sound is one of the finest natural harbours in the world, and is a rendezvous for herring-boats, and for all whalers and other vessels proceeding north. In its west centre is the harbour of Lerwick with light-house. East of Bressay, and separated from it by a narrow and dangerous sound, is a rocky isle, called Noss, 6 miles in circuit, girt on all sides by perpendicular cliffs, and rising abruptly from the sea to the height of nearly 600 feet, with a flattish top. A detached rock orholm, on the south-east side, in former years communicated with Noss by means of a cradle or wooden chair run on strong ropes stretched across a yawning gulf, and admitting a man with a sheep to be drawn over at a time.