Norse name breiðare øy OS grid reference HU425815 Sovereign state United Kingdom Highest elevation 25 m Council area Shetland Island groups British Isles, Shetland | Meaning of name broad beach island Area rank 220= Country Scotland Area 40 ha Lieutenancy area Shetland | |
 | ||
Brother Isle (Old Norse: breiðare øy meaning broad beach island) is a small, uninhabited island in Shetland, Scotland. It lies between the islands of Yell and Shetland Mainland. It is 40 hectares (99 acres) in size.
Contents
Map of Brother Isle, United Kingdom
Geography and geology
The island's rock is "undifferentiated moine gneiss and quartzite."
History
It is sometimes assumed that the "Brother" in the name refers to Culdees/papar who were frequent inhabitants of the smaller islands, however, in this case there is no apparent evidence for this claim, and it would appear to be merely folk etymology.
At only 40 hectares in size (about 1/6 of a sq. mile) and surrounded by tidal rips which make landing difficult, it would seem unlikely that the island has ever been inhabited. However, Brother Isle was inhabited until the 1820s, latterly by brothers with the surname Tulloch. This led to the mistaken assumption that the island's name referred to them.
In 2004, a lighthouse was built on the island.