The Herra Public Hall

The Herra Hall was built in 1931 and is the smallest hall on the island. There was a hill grind on the road until it was replaced by a cattle grid.

At the east side of the Herra hall was a quarry which has been filled in.

The hall was used as a base by the Home Guard throughout the war.

Highlands and Islands Films were shown in the hall in the 1950s.

In 1752 the Gregorian calendar replaced the Julian calendar. The Herra was probably the last place in Yell where Old Christmas and Old New’rday, on the 5th and 12th January, were recognised. A night of music and dancing in celebration has been held in the hall for many years.

The Herra Hall 1931

We both recalled when students camped at the kirk but used the hall for their equipment then had a leaving party before returning to study. They always invited the Herra people and anyone else they had contact with.

The students from De Montfort University, led by Dr Jim Fowler spent twenty seven consecutive summers, from the end of the 1970s, carrying out environmental monitoring in the vicinity of Sullom Voe. The Herra Hall became their base and in jest was given the name of The Maalie Court. In humour Dr Fowler was the Maalie King, the students were the Maalie courtiers. The Maalie Kingdom was Yell and Yell Sound from Lunna Holm in the south to The Ramna Stacks in the north. The Herra people, Dr Fowler and the students became good friends and they spent many enjoyable times together.

Maalie is the Shetland word for fulmar.

A road made in the 1980s by salmon farmers who had salmon cages in Whalefirth now runs from the hall down through the Gardie to where the herring curing station was situated. The station was owned by Andrew Bremner. At the time of the fishing station of Burness there was no road and people walked the shortest and driest route.

Now it was easy to get to the old fishing station by following the road.

Hay's Fishing Station

The herring station at Burness was built and worked for some years until about the time of WW2. Barracks were built for workers. George Hay the owner's name, was displayed in large letters on the roof. If a good catch of fish meant that more gutters were needed a flag was raised so that people in Mid Yell might see it and come to help. The flag was presumably on higher ground at the hall so that it could be seen in Mid Yell. When WW2 started the army came with boats to destroy the buildings. A Herra woman and her son who were walking near the area were alarmed as the soldiers approached and began firing towards the shore and buildings to find if any mines had been planted.

Correspondence for JW Barclay, Mid Yell

'9th September 1910

It is likely we will have to clear out Whalefirth before next season. I am thinking of opening at Stronsay and will likely take houses there.

They are good for another 10 years and if a rent of £1:10:0 would be acceptable would take on a lease again for that terms on the chance that something might turn up. If you care to submit same to the proprietor will be pleased to hear what he might have to say.

Andrew Brebner

Dear Mr Barclay,

In reply to your letter regarding Mr Brebner's lease of the fishing station at whale firth, I think the best thing is to agree to his terms as if he leaves I do not expect anyone else to take it, but I should like to know what your opinion is and if you agree with me, will you let him know?

Cecil H. Hastie Robertson'

The station is in a very secluded part of the voe. Parts of the landing area remains giving an indication of the layout and size of the former fishing station. For many years this had been a neglected area but it has been tidied up since being used by the salmon farmers.

In 1838 Laurence Moar, a North Yell man, was lost at Vigon while collecting driftwood from the wrecked ship 'Inga Skepminga'. His body was washed up near the old fishing station. It was customary to bury the body where it came ashore. The grave was marked by the stone font from the ruined Chapel of Volister.

On hearing about the tragedy of Moar, Chas told me that Vigon is further north outside the voe.

Chas had heard that among the rocks and pebbles near Burness some small quartz crystals have been found so we thought it was worth having a good look. After our futile search we took the road back to the hall and set off for Gremister.

The first building we came to was the Kirk, or Mission Hall, built about 1912 at an estimated cost of £150. Until then services had been conducted in the school. In 1998 the kirk building was sold to be converted into a dwelling house. Although the interior has been altered the outside remains much as it originally did.

The references to the kirk I had found in records and I promised I would give Bron a copy of my notes on our return.