Mousa Broch |
The brochs of Burraland and Mousa guard the entrance to Mousa Sound, and Mousa is the best preserved broch in Britain, standing over 42' high and measuring 49' at the base. It was built in the Iron Age from local sandstone. The best picture of the Broch I could find was on one of my favorite sites, Stone Pages.
The island has given refuge to two famous runaway couples. In 900 AD, a couple, fleeing from Norway, en route to Iceland, were shipwrecked on Mousa. They married and over-wintered in the broch. In the 12th century Harald, Earl of Orkney, laid siege to the broch where his mother and her lover were taking refuge, but he eventually gave up and left the island. In 1774 eleven families lived on the isle, but by 1861 all were gone.
Daily trips to Mousa on the M/B Solan III (ring Tom Jamieson 01950 431367) can take you over to the island to view the broch and see the common seals which are numerous on the west beach. Special evening trips to see the Storm Petrel - Britain's smallest sea bird can also be arranged. No dogs are allowed on the island.
Most people visit the island to see the brochs or the birds but the islands has its own beauty as seen in this picture.
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