Photos and the City

Tag: travel

  • Unst

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    On a misty morning, I drove the 5 seconds to the ferry and went to explore Unst, the most northerly island in the UK. Rich with Viking heritage, Unst is closer to Norway than mainland Scotland and has stunning nature. From white beaches to beautiful voes – Unst offers a lot.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    After arriving in Unst I turned left to Uyeasound, a small town on the south coast of Unst and was greeted by the Unst weather rock and this lovely little honesty café and also an honesty rock shop on the other side of the harbour.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    Greenwells Booth

    Greenwells Booth is a stone house from the 17th century and used to be a Hanseatic trading booth.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    Leaving Uyeasound in direction of Muness Castle I soon saw a greeting from former times – The Clivocast Stone, also known as the Uyea Breck Standing Stone – standing tall above Uyeasound. It is said to mark the spot where the son of the Viking Harald Harfager was killed in 900 AD.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

    Muness Castle

    Muness Castle was built-in 1598 for the ruthless Lawrence Bruce and it is one of only two castles in Shetland, the other being in Scalloway. It is Britains most northerly castle. Lawrence Bruse was the half brother to Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney, and uncle to the tyrannical Earl Patrick Stewart (who built Scalloway Castle). The Bruce family sold the castle in 1718 and it had fallen into ruin by the end of that century.

    Exploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the ukExploring Unst, the most northerly inhabitat island in the uk

  • More about Yell

    exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.

    I continued my exploring of Yell along the East coast back up to my hut with a few little detours making new friends.

    exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.

    I was actually looking for a broch but found this lovely space with a little surprise behind the house – a white beach.

    exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.

    exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.

    I think the broch might be somewhere over there?

    exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.

  • Scalloway

    A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.

    After my walk on the beach, I drove back a few minutes to Scalloway, the largest settlement of the west coast of Shetland and the former capital.

    Unfortunately, the museum and the castle were closed, so I just walked around the shoreline further into Scalloway.

    A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.

    Scalloway Castle was built in 1600 and was originally surrounded by water. The land was reclaimed from the sea and the castle now towers over the city. North of Scalloway lies Tingwall, the traditional home of the Parliament for Orkney and Shetland since Norse times. The Vikings used to arrive on the beach of Scalloway and travelled further north to hold their parliament.

    A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.

    Lovely houses along the streets, often colourful or with a nordic reference.

    Scalloway was an ideal location for a settlement. It has a large and sheltered natural harbour and sits at the fertile Tingwall Valley’s foot, providing rich agricultural land. There is good access to fresh drinking water, and the surrounding hills protect it from the worst wind. (Northlinkferries.co.uk)

    A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.

    Shetland Bus

    During World War II Scalloway became the base of the “Shetland Bus” operation of the Norwegian Resistance and the British Secret Service. After the occupation of Norway in 1940, a fleet of small fishing boats with Norwegian refugees arrived in Scalloway. It was the start of the Shetland Bus operation

     involved small wooden fishing boats that plied across the North Sea in winter, under cover of darkness, carrying refugees from Nazi-occupied Norway and bringing weapons and supplies. (Northlinkferries.co.uk)

    A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.

    The British government wanted to support the resistance and to provide an escape route for refugees and compromised agents, so those boats and their young volunteer crews were deployed to do that. The crossings were made during the darker winter months, to reduce the risk of detection, so the crews had to face storms as well as the risk of capture or sinking by the enemy. (Shetland.org)

    It was a dangerous operation, many ships sank and are remembered with the Shetland Bus Memorial.

    A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.

    The memorial was constructed with stones from the lost crewmen’s home districts in Norway. Celebrations mark the day of Norway’s independence every year.

    A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.

    One of the factors that led to the establishment of the Shetland Bus operation in Scalloway was the shipyard and workshop operated by William Moore and Sons. A new pier and slipway were constructed and parts for the engines were brought by agents from Norway. (Shetland.org)

    Prince Olaf even came for a visit during the war.

    A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.

    Opposite the slipway is the Norway house, which used to house the Norwegian crews and provided the sleeping quarters and a dining room.

    A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.A walk through Scalloway in Shetland, the biggest settlement on the west coast.