Trondra

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Trondra is a small island in the Scalloway Islands, part of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. It covers about 275 hectares (1.06 square miles) and shelters the harbour at Scalloway. The population is around 152 people, with Cauldhame as the main settlement near the bridge to the mainland.

In 1970, road bridges were built connecting Trondra to Burra and to the southern part of Mainland Shetland. This helped the population recover from a low of 20 in 1961. A community hall opened in 1986.

Geography and farming: Trondra has steep hills made of Dalradian rocks, mainly quartz and mica-rich schists, with some limestone in the north that provides fertile soil around Cauldhame and Cutts. The land is mostly grass and heather, with few trees.

Wildlife: The island is home to many seabirds, including gulls and black guillemots, and also hedgehogs, sparrows, starlings, seals and porpoises. There are fields of sheep and a few Shetland ponies.

Community life: Trondra has two rowing teams (men and women) that take part in summer regattas around Shetland and the annual Round Trondra Race. Da Peerie Neep, an annual event in the Trondra hall, features neep-related activities like Toss the Neep. Trondra teams also take part in the Scalloway Fire Festival in early January. The Burland Croft Trail is one of Shetland’s popular tourist attractions.