Croft(ing)

Most people moving to a new house want just that, one that is purpose built. A plot of land in Shetland usually costs around £25,000 but it can take a long time to build, This is all down to the weather, the normal building months are May- September

These old traditional croft are hard to heat but they retain a great amount of character. This one at Cunningsburgh even has traditional hay drying. Today crofting is hard work with most people having at least three part time jobs

most of the crofting work is either done at night, weekends or during holidays. These are often family homes that have been handed down. Too often now buildings are seen derelict which is very sad.

If the crofter has sheep he will be having a hard time with lamb prices down to next to nothing and uncertainty with Brexit

Some have cattle and they are increasing in number. They were a rare sight back in the 1980's now they are a common sight in the south mainland usually on larger farms

Crofting is not just about the land, most have a small boat to catch fish and there is certainly a bountiful selection.

If you want to see how people living in a similar croft then head south to the croft house museum at Boddam where you can experience life as it was, smoke filled rooms, fish drying beside the fire, box beds and of course a fiddle to keep everyone entertained

Lang Kames, Shetland

The Lang Kames is a beautiful area about 1/2 way between Sumburgh in the south and North Roe in the north mainland.

If fact you can see a croft called Half Way house, this building was used in the filming of        ` Shetland'  the BBC 1 drama. It is a dramatic landscape with views north of the house along the Lang Kames which runs along side the A970.

However things can change, the peace and quiet disappears as Viking Energy plan to build 103 Wind Turbines 155m high across the central mainland

Against all the protests and concerns, Viking went ahead with testing the peat three months before the CCf decision

It was along the ridge in 2015 that a large landslide occurred, it was estimated that it was 60m across and about 2m deep with clumps the size of a transit van tumbling down the hill. Against the advice of a Peatland ecologist ,Viking Energy said they were unconcerned and that they considered there would be no risk

It seems incredible that Viking Energy still propose to put a road along the ridge along with 11 Wind Turbines 155m high. A few days ago they lost out on a CCf bid but have said they will re apply in two years time.

So the wildlife can have a reprieve, rare Schedule 1 birds such as Red Throated Diver, Gt Skua, Whimbrel and Merlin don't seem to have the protection that we thought, otherwise something would have been done to stop the wind farm.

The amount of carbon released by these excavations will take 67 years to claim back from the destruction. The current near empty A970 will be clogged up with vast heavy loads, a no go area. Vast quarries will scar the landscape, landslips will occur, tourism will be badly hit (Viking claim it will be a tourist attraction Lol)

Its not for me, we came to Shetland because it is unspoilt and would like it to stay that way. Shetland has won awards from the Lonely Planet, but no one in the council seems to listen

`Nature Rules this stirrings setting, which features great glens, steep hills, sky blue lochs and spectacular birdlife. Travellers will be captivated by the islands rugged beauty and welcoming locals'



As stated Shetland is unique as its only one of two UNESCO accredited Geoparks in Scotland, surely these have to count for more than a money making racket.

Anyone who believes that the community money and jobs created from the wind farms is realistic will be in for a big shock, the big boys will want it all.

Tourism is the most important growth area in Shetland and this is increasing year by year. 57% of visitor said they came to Shetland  for the Scenery and Landscape, 24% to get away from it all, and 57% of all visitors travelled to the central mainland where the Viking Wind Farm could be located.

It does seem ironic that the government have just introduced a Peat restoration project, this follows on form a 2017 project that restored the peak bog at sandy Loch an area close to Viking Energy works

In protest to the imminent loss of a unique part of the Shetland landscape, Pete Bevington organised the ` Lament for the Lang Kames' . This was a five mile walk from the half way house to Lower Voe with the environmentalists carrying a coffin.

It was for all the folk that morn the loss of the habitat and draw attention to the proposed 103 Viking Energy wind farm.

Shetland what a week

Its been a busy old week in Shetland. Below was the Shetland entry into the Scottish bale art competition and although it didn't win it proved very popular with the locals and its set to continue in future years

The contract for the Ferry service has now been decided, its Serco (North Link) again, this time the contract is for 8 years and worth £345 million

residents will benefit from a 20% discount on cabin fares.

The upgraded Zephyr arrived in Lerwick on Monday. The 75mtr ship cost £27m and will be based at Whalsay

It was an excellent week for the 1,000 people that attended wool week. Last year 650 came to Shetland so this was nearly a 50% increase. People came from America, Australia, New Zealand, China and even Antartica.

It is said to have generated around £1m , more than Up Helly Aa. While the women went to the knitting the men could be seen out in the field birdwatching. (see shetlandblogspot.co.uk)