| Scots name | Noss[1] |
|---|---|
| Old Norse name | Nos |
| Meaning of name | Old Norse for "nose" |
| Location | |
  Isle of Noss Isle of Noss shown within the Shetland Islands | |
| OS grid reference | HU544405 |
| Coordinates | 60°09′N 1°01′W / 60.15°N 1.02°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Shetland |
| Area | 343 hectares (1.32 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 81 [2] |
| Highest elevation | 181 metres (594 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Council area | Shetland Islands |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
 | |
| References | [3][4] |
The Isle of Noss[5] or Noss (Scots: Noss) is a small, previously inhabited island in Shetland, Scotland. Noss is separated from the island of Bressay by the narrow Noss Sound. It has been run as a sheep farm since 1900,[4] and has been a national nature reserve since 1955.[6]
Noss is popular for wildlife tourism, and is linked to Bressay by a seasonal ferry service, run by the wildlife wardens using an inflatable boat. The ferry service brings around 1700 to the island each year, whilst total annual visitor numbers are thought to be around 5000 once those visiting on private and commercial boats are included.[7] Attractions on Noss include a visitor centre, the Pony Pund built to breed Shetland ponies, the Holm of Noss rock and the Noup cliff.
- ^ "Map of Scotland in Scots - Guide and gazetteer" (PDF).
- ^ Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
- ^ Anderson, Joseph (Ed.) (1893) Orkneyinga Saga. Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin & Gilbert Goudie. Edinburgh. James Thin and Mercat Press (1990 reprint). ISBN 0-901824-25-9
- ^ a b Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
- ^ "Isle of Noss". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ The Story of Noss National Nature Reserve. p. 15.
- ^ The Story of Noss National Nature Reserve. p. 20.