Scotland Guide
Orkney and Shetland
Mousa
The tiny Isle of Mousa is home to Scotland's best-preserved broch. Rising to more than 40ft, and looking rather like a Stone Age cooling tower, Mousa Broch has a remarkable presence, and features in both Egil's Saga and the Orkneyinga Saga, contemporary chronicles of Norse exploration and settlement. The low entrance passage leads through two concentric walls to a central courtyard, divided into separate beehive chambers. Between the walls, a rough (very dark) staircase leads to the top parapet (torch provided). From late May to late July, a large colony of around six thousand storm petrels breeds in and around the broch walls, fishing out at sea during the day, and only returning to the nests after dark. Get here from Leebitton, in the south Mainland, from where a small passenger ferry runs (mid-April to mid-Sept 1–2 daily; 15min; £10 return; 
01950/431367, 
www.mousaboattrips.co.uk ) The ferry also runs late-night trips (Wed & Sat weather permitting), setting off in the "simmer dim" twilight around 11pm.