- Circular walk: 2.2 miles
- what3words address for parking: ///episode.fairly.aunts
- GPX File
The boat goes from the pier at Sandwick to Mousa once a day (but check!) at 11.30 and returns at 2.30. It carries sixty people and costs £18 return (as of Autumn 2025). It’s also cash only. There is (limited) parking beside the pier. There are no toilets on the island.
Mousa is privately owned and operates as a RSPB reserve. Thousands of storm petrels nest here, but they are not active during the day. There is also an iron age broch on the island, the best preserved and most complete in Scotland (ie: the world!)
From the pier on Mousa we turned left and walked the route clockwise. Because it is such an important nesting site for storm petrels you need to keep to the well-signposted track that leads around the edge of the island.
This is a short walk but very satisfying. Although we saw no storm petrels we did see several seals and part of the island is an important haul out area for common seals.
As we approached the end of or walk the broch came into view and it’s very impressive. You can also get inside and climb some very dodgy steps between the inner and outer walls to a viewing area at the top. Take care. A cupboard just inside the broch has torches that you can borrow. Great views.
There are other derelict buildings on the island, for example the Haa that overlooks the broch. There’s lots of information about the island on the website of the Mousa boat: www.mousa.co.uk.
The sun was shining, there was wildlife to see and history to enjoy. A terrific trip.
Download file for GPS
