Undiscovered Scotland

 

The tiny island group of Out Skerries has in total about a mile of roads. Close to the west end of the road on the largest island of Housay is Out Skerries Church, the only church on the islands.

The church is in a beautiful location. To its immediate west is the manse, while beyond it the land slopes down to West Voe, a sharp gash in this side of the island which provides a sheltered harbour and a home for fish farming. If the community of Out Skerries can be thought of as being scattered across the middle of the island group, then the church lies very much at its west end.

Out Skerries Church is regarded by many as one of the nicest in Shetland. Externally it is a plain white building, with an outline cross placed at the east end of the roof. Internally it differs from many Shetland churches in only having a single level, with the pews facing the east end of the church, home to the communion table.

The interior is as uniformly white as the exterior, save for the east wall, which provides a darker backdrop to the east end of the church. The overall impression is one of lightness and airiness.

The two windows at the east end of the church have stained glass panels. These are very fitting for the island location of the church. One depicts a shepherd overlooking both land and sea, the second a fisherman looking towards an island and its lighthouse.