Muckle Roe

Island Intro

Connected to Mainland Shetland by a road bridge link, Muckle Roe literally translates as the ‘Big Red Island’ due to the impressive granite coastline and spectacular scenery.

Ask an Islander

We asked local islander Julie Dennison to share her favourite things about the island with us, beginning with her favourite part of the island.

“My favourite part of the island has to be ‘Da Yokkel aa Cumle’, a small crag on Da Cumle – the island’s third-highest hill. Da Yokkel is reached by leaving the summit and heading northwest to a lower point, marked with a stone-built mound. The view here stretches from the Eshaness peninsula in the north, towards the village of Brae in the east and around to the island of Papa Stour to the west. Da Yokkel also looks over Da Homliwatters: a loch in the centre of the isle. The loch holds a lot of happy memories for me, and is a wonderful place for a walk.”

Another fantastic place for a walk is to Da Hams. Julie tells us more about the Hams walk: “Muckle Roe’s most popular walk is to Da Hams, a cluster of four abandoned settlements on the northwest corner of the isle. The name ‘Ham’ comes from the Old Norse for ‘Haven’, and Da Hams is comprised of Da North Ham and Da South Ham. Da North Ham, with its two distinctive headlands, is a much-photographed spot. The walk to the Hams can be challenging if you go via the isle’s craggy west coast, but it’s more than worth it for the spectacular views!” For an easier route, follow the hill road overland towards the Hams.

Julie loves the musical tradition of the isle, and the community hall’s role in island life. “When not being used for Sunday teas, bingo nights or quizzes, the isle’s community hall plays host to a number of intimate gigs, popular with those on the folk and country scene.”

Getting Here

A road bridge crosses to Muckle Roe from Busta at Brae on Mainland Shetland. Find out more about getting to Mainland Shetland.

The bus (service 21) between Lerwick and Hillswick goes through Brae and connects with Service 25 running between Brae and Muckle Roe. Service 25 is Dial-A-Ride and must be booked before 4pm the day before travel on 01595 745 745.