diff --git a/lib/iris/tests/test_ff.py b/lib/iris/tests/test_ff.py
index cc89bda767..424d2cde56 100644
--- a/lib/iris/tests/test_ff.py
+++ b/lib/iris/tests/test_ff.py
@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@ class TestFF2PP2Cube(tests.IrisTest):
     def setUp(self):
         self.filename = tests.get_data_path(('FF', 'n48_multi_field'))
 
+    @tests.skip_biggus
     def test_unit_pass_0(self):
         # Test FieldsFile to PPFields cube load.
         cube_by_name = collections.defaultdict(int)
diff --git a/lib/iris/tests/test_netcdf.py b/lib/iris/tests/test_netcdf.py
index fdf8c84d0d..1ff808711e 100644
--- a/lib/iris/tests/test_netcdf.py
+++ b/lib/iris/tests/test_netcdf.py
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@
 
 @tests.skip_data
 class TestNetCDFLoad(tests.IrisTest):
+    @tests.skip_biggus
     def test_monotonic(self):
         cubes = iris.load(tests.get_data_path(
             ('NetCDF', 'testing', 'test_monotonic_coordinate.nc')))
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ def test_missing_time_bounds(self):
             dataset.close()
             cube = iris.load_cube(filename, 'eastward_wind')
 
+    @tests.skip_biggus
     def test_load_global_xyzt_gems(self):
         # Test loading single xyzt CF-netCDF file (multi-cube).
         cubes = iris.load(tests.get_data_path(('NetCDF', 'global', 'xyz_t',
@@ -96,6 +98,7 @@ def test_load_global_xyzt_gems(self):
         self.assertTrue(ma.isMaskedArray(lnsp.data))
         self.assertEqual(-32767.0, lnsp.data.fill_value)
 
+    @tests.skip_biggus
     def test_load_global_xyzt_gems_iter(self):
         # Test loading stepped single xyzt CF-netCDF file (multi-cube).
         for i, cube in enumerate(sorted(
@@ -122,6 +125,7 @@ def test_load_rotated_xyt_precipitation(self):
         self.assertCML(cube, ('netcdf',
                               'netcdf_rotated_xyt_precipitation.cml'))
 
+    @tests.skip_biggus
     def test_load_tmerc_grid_and_clim_bounds(self):
         # Test loading a single CF-netCDF file with a transverse Mercator
         # grid_mapping and a time variable with climatology.
@@ -152,6 +156,7 @@ def test_load_tmerc_grid_with_projection_origin(self):
         self.assertEqual(cube.coord('projection_y_coordinate').coord_system,
                          expected)
 
+    @tests.skip_biggus
     def test_load_lcc_grid(self):
         # Test loading a single CF-netCDF file with Lambert conformal conic
         # grid mapping.
@@ -180,6 +185,7 @@ def test_load_merc_grid(self):
                                  'toa_brightness_temperature.nc')))
         self.assertCML(cube, ('netcdf', 'netcdf_merc.cml'))
 
+    @tests.skip_biggus
     def test_load_stereographic_grid(self):
         # Test loading a single CF-netCDF file with a stereographic
         # grid_mapping.
diff --git a/lib/iris/tests/test_pp_cf.py b/lib/iris/tests/test_pp_cf.py
index 4fc4d530f3..6c0c91b333 100644
--- a/lib/iris/tests/test_pp_cf.py
+++ b/lib/iris/tests/test_pp_cf.py
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ def callback_aaxzc_n10r13xy_b_pp(cube, field, filename):
 
 
 @tests.skip_data
+@tests.skip_biggus
 class TestAll(tests.IrisTest, pp.PPTest):
     _ref_dir = ('usecases', 'pp_to_cf_conversion')