Bressay. Bressay parish comprises the islands of Bressay and Noss, lying east of the mainland opposite Lerwick. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson)
Burra. Burra parish comprises the islands of House, Burra, Hevera, and Papa. House and Burra are sometimes called respectively East Burra and West Burra. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson)
Quarff. Quarff is an ancient parish in the mainland of Shetland. It extends from sea to sea, between the parish of Lerwick on the north and that of Dunrossness on the south. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson)
Beoster, Gunnista, Grandiscole, Kirkabister, Noss (Island)
Change to Parish of Bressay, Burra & Quarff as a result of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889. Burra & Quarff transferred to Lerwick and Gulberwick. Parish renamed Bressay. Change went into effect on 15 May 1891. View details.
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
PAROCHIAL OVERVIEW:
In the 16th century, the three parishes of Bressay, Quarff, and Burra were united. In 1833, Quarff and Burra were severed again from Bressay, and became a united parish quoad sacra apart from it. The church of Bressay was dedicated to St Mary. In Bressay were the following three chapels: St John's at Kirkabister, St Olaf's at Gunnista, and the Kirk of Noss. The church of Burra was dedicated to St Laurence. The present church was erected in 1815. (1928: Fasti Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ, by Hew Scott, D. D.)
Includes ministers, licentiates, assistants, readers, and clerks.
Bressay, Burra, and Quarff (QO)
Quarff and Burra (QO)
(1928: Fasti Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ, by Hew Scott, D. D.)
Parish registers turned over to the Registrar-General, as a result of the Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (Scotland) Act of 1854. The letters B. D. and M. indicate Births (or Baptisms), Deaths (or Burials), and Marriages (or Proclamations of Banns) respectively. Numbers indicate separate volumes or books. Note: These records are by no means complete or without damage; consult the Detailed List of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland (1872) to learn more about the condition of the records.
| OPR and RD Numbers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date Range | Name | Number | Type |
| 1737-1854 | Bressay, Burra and Quarff | 1 | OPR |
| 1855-1892 | Bressay | 1-1 | RD |
| 1855-1892 | Burra and Quarff | 1-2 | RD |
| 1893-1971 | Bressay | 1 | RD |
| 1893-1896 | Burra and Quarff | 5-2 | RD |
| 1897-1971 | Burra Isles | 5-2 | RD |
| 1972-2006 | Bressay | 117 | RD |
| 1972-2006 | Burra Isles | 119 | RD |
| 2009 | Shetland Islands, Bressay | 117 | RD |
| 2009 | Shetland Islands, Burra Isles | 119 | |
| 2026 | (Bressay) Shetland Islands Council; Bressay Community Council | ||
| 2026 | (Burra) Shetland Islands Council; Burra and Trondra Community Council | ||
| 2026 | (Quarff) Shetland Islands Council; Gulberwick, Quarff and Cunningsburgh Community Council | ||
(2009: Parishes and Registration Districts of Scotland - Old and New, National Records of Scotland)
Local community councils (2026) are provided as a potential source of additional information for settlements within the original boundaries of the parish. (Source)
Statistics from informal and official censuses
Statistics from informal and official censuses
Christie, Duncan, Jamieson, Johnson, Linklater, Manson, Pottinger, Sinclair, Smith, Williamson
Note: Names appearing in research materials, other than censuses. Simple names (First name, surname only) have been omitted unless they appear associated with large properties. All women's names, and men's names with occupations, military ranks, or peerage titles are included.
By the Reverend Mr John Menzies.
"There are about 79 servants, of both sexes, in these parishes, the greatest part of which are employed in country affairs. There are 11 tailors, 2 smiths, 4 shoemakers, 2 carpenters, 1 joiner, 1 wheelwright. The people here discover great ingenuity in the different handicraft employments. Most of them are self-taught, and can work at different trades. Necessity has made them exert themselves."
(This section contains excerpts, at times restructured or paraphrased, from an article appearing in Statistical Account of Scotland, Sir John Sinclair, 1791-1799)
Primary Sources:
Statistical Account of Scotland (1791-1799), Volume 10, p. 194
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 15, Section IV, p. 7
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
