Tingwall, Shetland in the snow

Its amazing how quickly the weather changes in Shetland, people always say you can get 4 weathers in one day in Shetland

It wasn't that long ago we had snow and ice, which lasted a few days but now it has been windy but 11-12 degrees. I have now replanted two rosebushes 6 times, just hope the wind is not too strong in the coming weeks and give them a chance to get established

The landscape certainly changes when the snows come and all these photos were taken up the Tingwall valley

It was still very icy when I took a trip  and this road is notorious for black ice with cars in ditches most days

Wind turbines have been in the news again, this time the council decided to defer a decision on the Viking wind farm amendments until all the committee can meet this coming week. Its good to see a few councillors that might be against the wind farms. The MOD will stay have a big say on what goes on, they have already objected to this and the two proposed wind farms on Yell as it will interfere with radar in Unst.

It was great to see the new BBC1 Shetland Drama start last Tuesday , its getting a lot of support in Shetland and certainly draws the tourists. I was speaking to a group from America and they were raving about the last series which was available in the USA

The facebook group I started on Shetland Clouds is going very well, so if you are interested in joining just send me a request

The two courses on Digital Photography are already booked up so if you are interested you can join me this Autumn. The first one will be Night Sky photography in Lerwick, this gets booked very quickly so if you live in Shetland and want to attend then message me and I will keep you up to-date

Join me on my other blogs
shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk (Night sky, Aurora in Shetland)
shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk (Wildlife in Shetland)
ww2preserved.blogspot.co.uk (WW2 in Shetland)

Shetland attractions

Well the last Up Helly Aa took place  at Delting in the north mainland recently and the weather was terrible with very strong winds and freezing temperatures . These events never get cancelled due to the weather and the only break was during the war years.

                                                             The Galley ready for buring number two

The south mainland Up Helly Aa seems to have the best weather of all the fire festivals this year.

Events like these and the very successful BBC1 drama - `Shetland' has certainly drawn people to the islands. This year will see about 92,000 cruise liner passengers set foot on the islands, around twice the amount that came last year. These will be brought on a record number of cruise ships, but next year will be even better with 109 cruise liners due bringing 107,000 passengers.

                                                                                          Quendale Beach

Recently the  RAF radar, built at Saxa Vord was officially opened and one of the first visitor a few days later was a Russian fighter which flew down the north isles and was seen by a number of early risers.

I doubt whether any Eurofighters from Lossiemouth would have been able to intercept the plane as it would be have been far away when they arrived in Shetland.

                                                                                     Old buildings at Quendale

Russian bombers and fighter are becoming more frequently encountered around Shetland so its no wonder that Radar was installed in Unst.

                                                                                         Ireland (in Shetland)

Unst is also a possible launching area for UK satellites but we still have to wait and see whether this will be the chosen location.

                                                                     Ireland looking south to St Ninian's

I have been giving talks to the WI groups recently and its always to see so many people interested in Wildlife or the Night sky. I was also interviewed by the Shetland Life magazine who wanted an article on the various aspects of photography in Shetland, I talked about the Night Sky which is a favourite subject for my photography courses.

The next one fully booked again with a number of folk on the waiting list. My facebook group, Shetland Aurora Hunter continues to grow and it is now just under 2,000 members, not bad for 16 months. If you want to see some very rare Aurora `Steve' photos then go to shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk

                                                                  Superb Aurora see above for more

For anyone in Sheffield, I will be giving a talk on `Amazing Shetland' at St Augustine Church Brocco Bank on Tuesday 26 June at 7.30 (I can send you details just contact me for further information)