Mousa light station

Mousa light station is an automated lighthouse beside the island of Mousa, off the east coast of Shetland's Mainland in Scotland. The tower does not stand on Mousa itself but on Peerie Bard, a tiny rocky islet just offshore. For lighthouse fans and wildlife watchers it is a rewarding stop in the south of the archipelago.

What is the Mousa light station?

The tower was completed in 1951 to a design by engineer P. H. Hyslop and was planned for unmanned operation from day one. It took over from an earlier navigation light on the nearby headland of Noness. The current lamp was first lit in 2000. It sits 20 metres above the sea, shows one white flash every three seconds and carries about 10 nautical miles. It remains an active aid to shipping.

What can you see on Mousa?

You cannot enter the lighthouse, since it stands on its own islet, but it is easy to spot from the island. A waymarked circular trail crosses the RSPB reserve, and several stretches give views of Peerie Bard and the surrounding water. Mousa is uninhabited, with no roads or facilities, so bring water, food and clothing for changeable weather.

The island is also famous for its birds. Around 6,000 pairs of storm petrels nest here, one of the largest colonies of the species in Europe. Mousa Broch, a separate and much older monument, stands on the same island and is a different site from the light.

How do you get to Mousa?

Only by boat. The passenger ferry leaves from the Sandsayre pier near Sandwick, below Leebotten, and the crossing takes about 15 minutes. Mousa Boat Trips operates from April to September, with evening departures for watching petrels return to their nests. Check current times and fares with the operator before you travel.

When should you go?

Crossings run from April to September. Summer evenings are long, which makes the petrel trips especially atmospheric. Pack a warm jacket, as the exposed cliffs are breezy even on clear days.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Mousa lighthouse?

No. It is automated and stands on the islet of Peerie Bard, but it is clearly visible from the island trail.

When was it built?

The tower dates from 1951, and the present light was first lit in 2000.

How do you reach Mousa?

By ferry from Sandsayre pier near Sandwick, a crossing of roughly 15 minutes, running April to September.

Are there shops or toilets on the island?

The island is uninhabited and has no facilities, so stock up beforehand.

Is the light station the same as Mousa Broch?

No. The light is a 20th-century navigation tower; the broch is an ancient defensive tower on the same island.