Tag: Shetland

  • 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.

     

  • Sandwick

    It is getting late and I only had time for one last stop before going back to Yell. Sandwick – another Viking settlement in Unst. And one has to say, the Vikings definitely built their longhouses on the nicest spots! Sandwick – coming from “Sandy Bay” is said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Shetlands.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.

    Put first the biggest standing stone in the Shetland Islands: Menhir von Bordastubble

    I made my way down to Sandwick, meeting new friends along the way.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.

    Sands of Sandwick

    Walking down to the beach I first saw the remains of a little church, Framgord chapel, and the remains of croft houses on the hills going down to the beach.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.

    Just above the beach are the remains of a Pictish house from the Stone Age. Two Pictish Burials were found nearby.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.

    Late Norse Farm

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.

    A house with a view – or like we would say today: prime real estate.

    But this long house was probably further away from the sea back then when it was lived in.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.

    Another Viking house was found further up on the hill.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.

    Another view of the chapel and croft seen from the beach.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings in Sandwick.

     

     

  • Vikings in Unst

    There are the remains of at least 60 longhouses to be found in Unst, the highest density of rural Viking sites anywhere, including Scandinavia.

    Unst is closer to Norway than to Edinburgh and probably was the first footfall for the Old Norse in the Atlantic.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.

    I started to make my way back down south again and stopped at a Viking Longhouse, I already had seen on my way up. There are the remains of at least 60 longhouses to be found in Unst, the highest density of rural Viking sites anywhere, including Scandinavia.

    Unst is closer to Norway than to Edinburgh and probably was the first foot-fall for the old Norse in the Atlantic.

    Haroldswick

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.

    This reconstruction of a Viking longhouse in Harlodswick was modelled after the remains of the longhouses in Hamar, Underhoull and Belmont.

    The house is bigger than expected and felt almost cosy.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.

    The Skidbladner

    Right next to the longhouse stands the reconstruction of a Viking boat.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.

    The Skidbladner is a full size replica of the Gokstad ship, found in a Viking burial mound in norway in 1880. (Shetland Amenity Trust)

    The original boat was probably built during the reign of Harald Fairhar, who is said to have landed in Unst. These types of boats were used for trade, warfare and also just general travel.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.

    St. John´s Church

    St John’s was originally built from 1825 to 1827, back then Baltasound grew up to 10.000 people in the summer for the herring season and the wast church offered space for 2000 of them. The original foundations are still visible around today’s church which was built in 1957.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.

    Underhoull

    I travelled west towards a broch and another longhouse in Underhoull. Admiring the amazing views over the cliffs and sea this must have been a spectacular space to live.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.

    I first wandered around the broch and enjoyed the views in all directions.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.

    Right next to the broch, just in the next field lie the remains of a longhouse and second one nearby.

    Excavation of the Upper Underhoull longhouse revealed some exciting information.  The site appeared to have been occupied for a long period of time, and modified, with outhouses, annexes and drains added during different phases of its development.  There was a double faced stone wall on the southern, long-wall of the house, which faced the sea, and would have been built to impress. The ‘back wall’ was turf built on the northern side, and would have provided good insulation. (Shetland Aminity Trust)

    There was a wooden floor and a central fire.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.

    Exploring Unst, Shetland and following in the footsteps of the vikings.