To Shetland

On Saturday we flew to Shetland, a collection of islands halfway between Norway and Scotland. It is stunning! 

As soon as we picked up our rental car we headed to Sumburgh Lighthouse to look for puffins but there were only eight left. They fly to the Bay of Biscay for the winter as soon as the babies are big enough to fly.  

Driving the main road to the capital, Lerwick involves driving over the runway from the airport. There are guards on each end to stop all the cars when needed. 

After settling into our accommodation I walked down to the Broch of Clickimin. I love that a building dating back to 1000BC is between where we're staying and Tesco. 

Sunday morning we explored the west of the main island, lots of very interesting and beautiful scenery. 

Sunday afternoon we took the ferry over to the island of Bressay, then drove across the island to the ferry for the island of Noss. It was the smallest ferry I've ever been on, going over I was the only person on it. I had a lovely walk around the island, even seeing the pure Shetland sheep being shorn.

Can you spot the seal?

This morning we headed south, starting at the amazing Jarlshoff Broch. It was really interesting to see and hear how the buildings had changed with the different communities inhabiting the area over the last 4000 years. And that it had all been part of a farm until a big storm a hundred years ago uncovered it and eventually the farmer gave it to the government to care for.

St Ninian's Isle, it was very windy and about to rain so we decided against walking across:

The Croft Museum was quite interesting, though I forgot to take a photo of the outside of the traditionally roofed croft house. They even had a peat fire burning. 

We then pottered around trying to find a couple of small wool suppliers, eventually finding one open with yarn from sheep that have been bred at the same croft for six generations. 

We then experienced some true Shetland weather with lots of rain and wind.