Speldiburn

Bressay Primary School & Nursery closed in 2014.

The school had provided education to Bressay’s youngsters since 1876, but it had also offered a focal point for the community, a way for new families to integrate in to the community and opportunities for locals; children, parents, neighbours, grandparents to come together for fundraising, social or celebratory events.

In December 2015 Bressay Development Ltd took on the lease of the empty school from Shetland Islands Council in an attempt to reclaim the building as a community asset and with the aim to fill some of the gaps left when the school closed. BDL took ownership of the building and surrounding site in early 2021 through a Community Asset Transfer.

Today Speldiburn is home to the bright and welcoming Speldiburn Café (opened June 2016), art and craft studio, art gallery, the popular Speldiburn GAN Shop, a community lending library, RAM Knitwear & artist Aimee Labourne's studios, the Bressay Under 5s group and Bressay Development Ltd.’s community office.

We are pleased that the school once again has a role in Bressay folk’s lives. Islanders can browse the GAN Shop, eat lunch with friends in the café and take part in classes and events held at Speldiburn. Many also help as volunteers in the café or elsewhere in the building, painting, gardening and assisting us to put on big events.

For enquires, bookings or general information please contact us info@bressay.org