Author: Ursula Schmitz

  • Burn of Lunklet

    Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.

    I said goodbye to Yell and took the ferry back to mainland Shetland. I had a few hours to check in to my cottage in the north of the mainland and used these to explore a bit of the central mainland before going back up north.

    Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.

    Finding the Burn of Lunklet is pretty easy, the waterfall is signed on the street and there is also a small parking area. From there just follow the path through the meadow.

    Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.

    Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.

    Walking back along the small river to the car.

    Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.

    I was ready for some lunch and lucky for me “The Fridge Café” was nearby. Two huge fridges operate a honesty “boxes” but there is also a little coffee shop with a lovely seating area outside. Perfect for watching the Shetland ponies.

    Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.Exploring the north of Shetland mainland and the waterfall Burn of Luklin.

  • The White Wife

    The White Wife 1

    Gloup memorial

    On the very top of Yell is the village Gloup and the Gloup memorial, remembering 58 fishermen who died in a summer storm in 1881.

    The White Wife 2The White Wife 3The White Wife 4

    My next stop was in the middle of Yell, I wanted to visit a broch which sounded like a nice hike along the coastline.

    The White Wife 5

    The start was pretty easy, I just had to follow a track and enjoyed the view.

    The White Wife 6The White Wife 7

    The map said to walk across the remains of this farm, but I just couldn’t find the way, maybe it was blocked on that day or I just wasn´t looking good enough. So I turned back.

    The White Wife 8

    I love these little flowers I saw all over Shetland, they reminded me of little pieces of cotton.

    The White Wife 9

    The white wife of otterswick

    I already went looking for the white lady on my first day in Yell, but couldn´t find it. But in the meantime I found a map for a hike going to the lady and that made it a bit easier, it still wasn´t easy to find places in Yell.

    The White Wife 10

    Somewhere down there should be the White Wife – the story of the statue is a sad one.

    Da Wooden Wife, is a sad one. She is the reconstructed figurehead of the Bohus, a German sail training vessel which sank at the Ness of Queyon in 1924, with a crew of 39, many of them young cadets, and the loss of 4 lives. (Northlinkferries.co.uk)

    The White Wife 11

    In April 1923 the ship Bohus set sail from Goteburg to Chile, but a navigation error brought her 60 miles off course. During a storm, the skipper mistook the Out Skerries lighthouse for the Fair Isle light and the ship was dashed on the rocks. She sank within one hour.

    The White Wife 12The White Wife 13

    Men from Yell tried to help and threw a line towards the ship to save the crew members. The surviving men were taken into homes in Yell but four men perished this day.

    A few months later the figurehead of the Bohus came ashore, in surprisingly good condition and was erected on the shore above the wreck site as a memorial. In 1986 the statue was completely restored.

    The White Wife 14The White Wife 15The White Wife 16The White Wife 17

  • Breckon Sands

    Visiting the Sands of Beckon in Yell, Shetland.

    A sunny morning and a little souvenir from Unst, Shetland Reel gin. For this my last day in Yell I decided to visit some more new places and have a look for some I didn´t find the last time. Not far from my little cottage in the north of Yell was a stunning beach – the Sands of Breckon.

    Visiting the Sands of Beckon in Yell, Shetland.

    Just a short walk down the cliffs and it is instant relaxation. Home of a variety of plants and animals and of course reminders of the Vikings were found here.

    Visiting the Sands of Beckon in Yell, Shetland.Visiting the Sands of Beckon in Yell, Shetland.

    The sand here is actually made up largely of shell particles – which is part of the reason it is so pale. This also has the effect of giving the water a beautiful turquoise hue to it. (The Beach Guide Uk)

    Visiting the Sands of Beckon in Yell, Shetland.

    Visiting the Sands of Beckon in Yell, Shetland. Visiting the Sands of Beckon in Yell, Shetland.Visiting the Sands of Beckon in Yell, Shetland.Visiting the Sands of Beckon in Yell, Shetland.Visiting the Sands of Beckon in Yell, Shetland.Visiting the Sands of Beckon in Yell, Shetland.