Shetland Croft Bothy Retreat

Perfect peace awaits you at our Gorie croft bothy at ‘da back o’ Bressay’. Winter, spring, summer or fall, this is an ideal spot for world-class birdwatching, superb coastal and hill walking, or just some quiet relaxation, off-road, off-grid and off-line.

Noss National Nature Reserve, with its internationally famous seabird cliffs, is just a mile from the Gorie doorstep

The 200-year-old bothy overlooking the loch is completely secluded in its sheltered valley – yet only 2¹/₂ miles from the centre of Lerwick, Shetland’s county town.

The bothy overlooks the Loch of Grimsetter, with Noss National Nature Reserve beyond. Photo: John H. Waters.

The Gorie croft bothy – the perfect place to relax, read, write, paint and make music. Photo: John H. Waters.

On the south-facing gable end of this traditional Shetland ‘but ‘n’ ben’ there’s a conservatory and studio where you can read, write, paint or make music.

The bothy has one double bedroom, a single in the half-loft above, plus two single beds in the studio loft.

Prices for 2023 are £45 per night or £300 per week, including fuel, cooking gas, wind/solar electricity and 4×4 transport from the Bressay ferry terminal. VAT is included.

To book, call or message 07831217042.

Retreat to Bressay’s back of beyond!

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Uncategorized

By

Jonathan W. G. Wills

/

02/08/2023

What they say about us…

Some recent comments in the visitors’ book at the Gorie croft bothy:

Spent a cosy two months in this charming bothy. Many thanks to Jonathan and Lesley for the upkeep of such a beautiful spot. Visiting artist, February-April 2022.

Another great stay – hopefully back in the summer for some swims in the loch! 22-27 April 2022.

Extra cosy by the fire, taking in our surroundings and having quality time. Thank you! 12 May 2022.

What a paradise. So peaceful! 24 May 2022.

Such a tranquil place. My second visit to Gorie and both have been wonderful experiences. 25 May 2022.

Every time I am here at Gorie I leave part of my heart…You have recreated and given life to a special place and we are lucky to be able to come and experience it. 30 June 2022 (from Australia).

We’ve had a wonderful time. Thank you! 3-7 July 2022.

Fantastic stay here at Gorie. We’ll be back again soon! 8-9 July 2022.

What a change at Gorie from 18 years ago! Love to be here again. Love the most cosy house in the North Sea. 18-24 July 2022 (from the Czech Republic).

If only more places like this could exist. Somewhere to slow down and simply enjoy company. We feel humbled, peaceful and recharged. 1 August 2022 (from Northamptonshire).

How well you have done here! 3 August 2022.

Had two great nights here. We walked around the loch to the cliff where we saw puffins. It was amazing! 6-7 August 2022.

Thank you for a visit full of wonder. 27 August 2022 (from London).

Lovely night at Gorie – shame it couldn’t have been longer. 3 September 2022.

It’s been over 50 years but still feels like a pilgrim’s sanctuary. 17 October 2022 (from Spain).

My fourth time here and absolutely love the place compared to living and working in Birmingham. To me this is paradise. 24 October 2022.

Thank you for a wonderful time. We’ve been really wowed by the beautiful setting and amazing little house and woods. Fantastic! 29 October 2022.

Astonishing to see this wonderful place come back to life…beautiful, full of history and promise. Looking forward to making music here! 12 March 2023.

Thank you Gorie for being a wonderful and much needed retreat, offering us everything we needed and more! Spring equinox 2023.

Had a super time at Gorie. Well kitted out with everything we needed. Worthwhile walk to the South Gun. Lovely old settlements around the loch, amazing stonework. Keep up the good work on this amazing project. Looking forward to returning to this retreat. 15-17 April 2023.

So glad to be back and admire the bothy. Thank you for Scottish hospitality. 4 June 2023 (from Aliso Viejo, California).

We have had a lovely stay at Gorie. We have explored and absorbed this magical location. It certainly is a special place! 2-3 July 2023.

It was a delight to enjoy the bonxies, waterfalls, conversations and weather. 15 July 2023.

What a stunning piece of paradise on earth! Our stay was magical. 21-24 July 2023.

Best part of our summer. Ended much too soon. 26-29 July 2023 (from Czech Republic).

A wonderful stay for a birthday treat. 1 August 2023.

The wood- and peat-burning stove in the snug living room warms the well-insulated old building and provides domestic hot water.

The bothy double bedroom with sleeping platform above.

A room with a view – the studio table in the Gorie conservatory.

The Gorie kitchen.

The bothy is the centre of a working croft where we grow vegetables, plant trees and a neighbour grazes sheep.

Autumn on the croft brings migrating birds to the Gorie wood.

A winter’s day on the track to Gorie

A spectacular winter sky with snow clouds over the Isle of Noss.

A double rainbow seen from the Gorie front door in early spring.

Gorie in 1919 – the earliest picture we have of this typical Shetland cottar’s house. Photo: Mainland Collection.

A photo from 1971 of Tammie and Jessie Laurenson, who renovated and extended the old bothy between 1936 and 1980, creating the Gorie garden and greenhouse.

November 2009, when work began on the major refurbishment of the Gorie croft bothy after it had lain derelict for almost 30 years after the deaths of Tammie and Jessie Laurenson. The first task was to create a weatherproof shed and workshop from the old byre and barn, where the roof had collapsed.

The moon rising above Noss. Peace, perfect peace…