Scalloway

You have to feel sorry for the tourist as the fog has been very thick four out of the last five days. Coach tours have turned up at the top of the Scord to look down on Scalloway or the fog and it was only when the were close by they could actually see the castle

On Friday it was beautiful sunshine and warm enough to be out in a tea shirt so it was time, after work, to visit the western end of Scalloway

 I made my way passed the college and up the steep hill and took the second left, through a gate and followed the road up to the sewerage works

 From there I cut over the moorland, passed the small beach and carried up the other side which was full of small flowers. Bell heath, lousewort and a few sundew to name a few

 Clouds rolled up from the north creating a nice leading line for a photo, while sheep stood and watched this photographer at work, they even posed for a photo or two before continuing to graze.

 The Lighthouse is small and remote working off solar power. 

 There was several small boats connected to the salmon farming in the sheltered voe.

 In the distance and well off the beaten track, several deserted crofts tried to blend into the multi coloured landscape while several Shetland ponies came to investigate this intrepid photographer

 After a lovely short walk that had certainly recharged my batteries a small boat was just passing the college heading out to sea, hopeful taking back plenty of Shetland stories

The views across the Voe today would have satisfied all of the tourists, pity they had to leave

Scalloway is a very attractive place with lots of interesting colourful buildings which remind me of Mull

 Coming back over Black Gaet over towards Gulberwick I had to stop and take photos of the bay.

 One resident of Scalloway a great fiddle player is Linda Gair (Left) with Martin Henderson and her sister Pauline Irvine who played at the Shetland Showcase earlier in the week

Shetland Top 10 destination-Lonely Planet

Shetland has been named as one of the top 10 European destinations by the Lonely Planet today. Not that we needed to be told

The house of Jimmy Perez

It came 6th and the only UK  destination chosen. This top award together with all the TV programmes such as Jimmy Perez `Shetland', Wild Shetland, the Island Medics and all aboard is very good news for the tourist industry.

It doesn't matter whether you see Shetland day or night, summer or winter it is an exceptional place to live, visit and work

Tengmalm Owl at Tresta

Shetland is a top place for seeing rare birds and this spring has been outstanding. To see more photos visit shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk

 Tall ships visit on a regular basis and there is always something interesting to see in both Lerwick and Scalloway harbours

 Lerwick

Tronda

Up Helly Aa attracts many visitors in the winter

Sumburgh Head

Rough seas at Scatness

Dales Voe

The Drongs

Lots of folk from all over the world now come to Shetland for Wool Week

Aurora on most people's bucket list

Shetland has to be one of the best places in the UK to see the Aurora, for more join Shetland Aurora Hunter on facebook and shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk

More photos at http://amazingshetland.co.uk

#Wool Week, #Shetland, #Shetland Aurora Hunter, #Aurora Shetland, #Shetland rare birds, #Jimmy Perez, #Up Helly Aa, #Lonely Plant awards, #Lerwick, #Scalloway, #amazing shetland

Travelling no more in Shetland

I like Shetland as it has a lot of Old historical items, some however are items that have been left to rust in the wet salty air.

These two coaches have been in Sandwick for a few years now and you can tell they haven't moved in years. Broken and battered by numerous storms they lay waiting until they no longer can be recognised.

Its not just these coaches, abandon cars lay to rust in many spots as there is  no scrappage in Shetland at present.

Spring is passing fast, daffodils are up in number and add a splash of colour to roadside verges, bees and hedgehogs are out earlier than normal while daisies seem never to have disappeared from last year.

Clouds roll passed quickly in the storms, Haily Puckles (Hail showers) come heavy then the sun shines, its a season of change.

Chances to see the Aurora (see facebook- Shetland Aurora Hunter) are slowly disappearing as the nights draw out and birds like the Skylark are in full song.

The Threat from Wind Turbines gets stronger as the council approve more sites, the latest at Mossy Hill between Lerwick and Scalloway. Its only the interconnector standing in the way although the MOD still will have a say, lets hope it never gets the go ahead.

#Shetland, #Shetland Dream, #Shetland blog, #Lerwick, #Sandwick

Scalloway, Shetland in the snow

Shetland had a bit of snow this week, nothing like the amount that the rest of the UK or the USA had.

 Normally it above freezing, but the chill factor has been down to -5 degrees which has brought ice to many parts

 Last night we went to photograph the Aurora but got snowed./ rained off. This soon froze and made getting back up the hill a but difficult

 Looking out this morning it looked as most of the snow had disappeared completely but in its place came black ice.

 (Memorial to the Shetland Bus, Main street at Scalloway)

 Within an hour a bus had slid off the road into a ditch and several other cars did the same and Sandwick school was closed

 I wasn't looking forward to driving over to Scalloway , especially when you have to go over Black Gaet always a very icy road.

 Taking it slow it was better than expected but in Scalloway there was still snow on the roads and ice on the pavements

 Scalloway always looks good in the snow, especially the castle, this one taken from the top of the Scord.

( Still icy on the pavement)

 In the afternoon the light is always very good and the clouds added to the scene (check out Shetland Clouds on Facebook)

#Scalloway, #Shetland, #Sandwick, # Aurora, #Scalloway Castle, #Shetland clouds, #Shetland Bus