We mounted Muy back on the truck and left Skeld for a trip up to tour around the northern Shetland islands of Yell, Unst and Fetlar. We travelled by ferry to Yell and then another straight to Unst for some nights wild camping.
As luck would have it the ferry to Unst was out of action for vehicles for the weekend due to a new dock leveller being fitted so once we were there no other vehicles could arrive until the following Monday, which made it quieter.
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| Dee compared to a Gannet! |
Hermaness is an RSPB reserve at the top western corner, overlooking Muckle Flugga lighthouse and Outer Stack - the most northern part of the UK. We had a great walk around the headland above some very high cliffs looking at loads of Gannets and Puffins. The Puffins were nesting in burrows right on the edges so we had to be extremely careful viewing them! They don't care you are there at all if you sit down quietly nearby.
We parked up overnight down a track next to the Loch of Cliff which had lots of Bonxies (Great Skuas) gathered at one end. They are big birds and interesting to see.
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| A lovely wild camp nearby |
We came across the site at Saxavord where they are in the process of building a new rocket launch pad. We spoke to a local family who were happy enough about it being built there. There was a boat museum and a heritage museum on Unst which were both worth a visit. Both were manned by local old boys who we quizzed on all things Shetland. There is also a replica Viking longboat and reconstructed Viking longhouse which were fun to see.
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| Interesting sign at the Saxavord site! |
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| Replica Viking Longship at Haroldswick |
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| Purdy enjoying the soft sand |
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| Three very inquisitive seals! |
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| This was our 2nd camp for the night on Unst |
The ferry to Fetlar was only running an "on demand" service for vehicles so we had to phone to request it - we were the only vehicle on the ferry to Fetler - nice! Like a boat taxi!
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Sunday morning and the bells were being rung
by a rope hanging in front of the door |
In search of the Red Throated Pharalope! These birds are very rare with a few breeding pairs on Fetler. We met a 'birder' in a damp prefab cafe (at least there was a cafe) who had been waiting 11 hours with no luck. After leaving the cafe and driving to a known spot nearby, within a minute of looking we saw one!
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| Dee's viewpoint up Muy's ladder |
We had a great walk all day around several headlands known as The Snap where we saw a pod of White Sided Dolphins (we think) feeding in the Wick of Tresta. We watched these for ages with Oyster Catchers shouting overhead trying to move us on! The dolphins were very acrobatic, some jumping right out vertically at times.
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| The same hairstyle?! |
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| Non dog friendly styles as usual! |
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Steep ladder stiles also non dog friendly
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| Purdy has to be carried/passed over! |
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| A stop for tea at Murness castle on Yell |
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| Dee acting out the scene on the board! |
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| Phil acting out the scene on the board! |
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The weather changed and was a bit bleak
on the ferry back to the mainland! |
