East Burra (Old Norse: Barrey)^[6] is one of the Scalloway Islands, a subgroup of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. It is connected by a bridge to West Burra.

Quick Facts Old Norse name, Meaning of name ...

East Burra

Old Norse name	Barrey[1]
Meaning of name	east broch island?
Location
East Burra East Burra shown within Shetland
OS grid reference	HU388339
Coordinates	60.08°N 1.31°W / 60.08; -1.31
Physical geography
Island group	Shetland
Area	515 ha
Area rank	73 [2]
Highest elevation	81 m
Administration
Council area	Shetland Islands
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Demographics
Population	76[3]
Population rank	49 [2]
Population density	15 people/km2[3][4]
References	[4][5]

Close

With an area of 515 hectares (1,273 acres) it is the twelfth largest of the Shetland Islands.

East Burra has a much smaller population than West Burra and no substantial settlement; rather, there are a few hamlets and a scattering of individual croft houses. It is known for its Neolithic remains including a burnt mound, and for sea caves. The roofless, plain, Old Haa (manor or laird's house) of Houss is a prominent feature. From Houss, it is possible to walk the two kilometres or so to the cliffs at the southern end of the island. From there, the island of South Havra, nowadays home only to sheep and seabirds, can be clearly seen.

East Burra is linked to the Shetland Mainland via West Burra and Trondra by a series of bridges.

Collins Encyclopedia of Scotland suggests that the name "Burra" is a corruption of "Borgarey" (island of the broch),^[7] and while this is unlikely, and no broch is extant, the place name Brough, on West Burra lends some support to this case. However, the form used in the Orkneyinga saga is "Barrey".^[1]