New Year gales in Shetland

The New Year was brought in with some very stormy weather with gusts recorded at 75mph, just over Hurricane force (73 mph). Coming in from the west it was  noisy trying to get to sleep as it hit our  bedroom.

 The Good Shepherd sets sail for fair Isle in string winds

The following day  we woke to found out it had ripped up two of our rosebushes but no other damage. However facebook was littered with people saying that power had been off for at least two hours to the north of Lerwick and up to Unst.

We have experienced worse wind since moving to Shetland in 2014, last year it reached 102 mph and the year before that 120 mph. While that's strong it cannot compare to the New year storm of 1991/92 when two people were killed as they sheltered in a hut on Hermaness.


The hut ended a mile away as winds gusts reached 173 mph before the equipment blew away and then at 194 mph out on an oil rig to the North east of Shetland.

The following year, in January the Braer hit rocks down at Quendale . That year broke records for having 25 days of gale force winds in the month, including 10 days of Force 10 winds or above, and 18 consecutive days of gale force winds.

 The Queen's hotel gets battered by a storm

I do like getting out in a storm if its safe, rough seas are great to view from land but I wouldn't like to be out at sea in these conditions

Just seen weather forecast for Monday and it looks like Shetland will be getting winds up to80 mph

 Last three the Sletts , Lerwick

All photos are available on canvas.

I have a new facebook group- Shetland Clouds just send me a request to join

Only a couple of places left on my photography course which starts on the 14 January, you will need to book direct with Shetland Adult Education, but don't leave it along

Good news for Shetland

I will be running more photography courses for Shetland dult education starting 11 September with a beginners - `Get to know your own camera' course (See below). Message me if you need any further information

If you are going to visit Shetland next year then there is good news. The Scottish government is due to look at reducing the ferry fare to Shetland and about time too. With the Outer Hebrides having a 50% cut the other year, Shetland's fares actually increased.

                                            Multi Coloured sheep - a TV star ?

The plan is to reduce the car fare by 30 % and passenger fares by 40% but cabin fares will not be reduced at present. These cuts will come into effect in April 2018. Cabin fares will be looked into when the new Ferries start sometime 2018/2019

While this is good news for some, cabins are somewhat essential, not chance that you will find us laying on the floor or in a seat over night.

                                                   A training ship for school children calls in at Lerwick

Other good news for Shetland is that a decommissioning project , hopefully the first of many has now commence in Lerwick. Around 30 jobs will be created and the first one, the 12,000 tonne the huge oil production vessel Buchan Alpha is starting to be dismantled over the next 17 months.

Another plug for Shetland was the Channel 4 programme on Fair Isle, the Good Shepherd just one way to get to the island for just over £5, however many come back by plane as the sea even on a calm day can be very rough.

No news yet on whether the Shetland webcam's will continue beyond the end of next month. It will be a big loss to many in and outside Shetland if they go. I normally look at Cliff Cam 3 for signs of the Aurora. If you want more information join us on facebook at Shetland Aurora Hunter - send a request to join.

Sunny Autumn

This summer seems to have passed very quickly, the tourist season has nearly come to an end after an impressive number of cruise liners have called into Lerwick. However the last one, the Caribbean Princess was unable to off load its passengers due to a high swell

The same type of weather affected the ferry to Fair Isle. With only a few hardy birders on board it wasn't long before they hit Sumburgh roost and the boat began it hit waves. Whether the 3.25 hour journey was too much for the few we will never know but next month Shetland will be invaded by numerous birdwatchers keen to see the rare birds that turn up in the isles and some will take the ferry in worse conditions than this

                                                        Good Shepherd - fair Isle ferry passing Sumburgh Head

The last few days has been very foggy, dense in places but some people still drive about without any headlights- just asking for trouble. Today the weather broke and a thunder storm hit Shetland driving away the fog to leave a sunny afternoon but not before 200 lightening strikes had hit the island.

I have started to unplug my computer as we know a few people who have been hit by lightening blowing up all the electrical gear. As i have around 90,000 photos it would be a disaster to loose all these, although i do have them backed up.

                                                 Never too late for a dip in the sea

                                                                                                 View across Whiteness

                                                                                           Scalloway boats

                                                                                   Mackerel - a colourful fish

                                                                                            Keep an eye on you

The new intermediate photography course started on Monday and is going well, if you would like to join me on the intermediate course starting 31 October we will be covering the following subjects- Indoor portraits, Wildlife, Landscapes, Urban, Creative  Close Up's.

You can book on line at the Shetland Adult Education website or phone any normal working day - just a few places left so book early.

The Know your own camera and intermediate course Jan - March  2017 are both fully booked.

Full details on my website at www.amazingshetland.co.uk