Uncovered by a storm

Storm Barbara (90 mph) forced the cancellation of the visit by Father Christmas to the south mainland villages by helicopter. 

Bressay was hit by lightening with many home loosing power and with the ferries out of action it was hours before it was restored. Over 100 homes without power in Tingwall and a further 30 up at Sullom again due to lightening strikes

Today Storm Conor hit and this was even stronger at 105 mph (recorded at Scatness) so we haven't been out much. The roof on the next door's shed was ripped off and the rest was vibrating badly, lucky this was at then end of the storm.

You could feel the vibration through our house and see the windows flexing as the wind thumped against the building. We do feel safe as these Norwegian houses are very well built,  but newer wooden houses may not be up to the same construction specifications.

All the photos here are from Jarlshof, covering 4,000 years of human settlement. First the Neolithic period at 2700 BC remaining occupied until 1600 AD

With oval Bronze age houses and Iron age broch and wheelhouses, Norse longhouses , Medieval farmsteads to the Lairds House dating from 1500 , it is one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe

It was ideally positioned next to the sea in the south mainland but remained hidden until a storm, like today, in the early 19 century uncovered the site.

Excavations started in 1925 and stopped in 1950

From Walter Scott 1821 Novel the Pirate

"Amid this desolation, the inhabitants of Jarlshof had contrived, by constant labour and attention, to keep in order a few roods of land, which had been enclosed as a garden, and which, sheltered by the walls of the house itself, from the relentless sea-blast, produced such vegetables as the climate could bring forth, or rather as the sea-gale would permit to grow; for these islands experience even less of the rigour of cold than is encountered on the mainland of Scotland; but, unsheltered by a wall of some sort of other, it is scarce possible to raise even the most ordinary culinary vegetables; and as for shrubs or trees, they are entirely out of the question, such is the force of the sweeping sea-blast."

Don't forget to join us on our new facebook group page - `Shetland Aurora Hunter ' just send a request to join.

Also other blogs

shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk
shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk
www.amazingshetland.co.uk (Canvas prints)

Vementry

We headed out to Vementry , a very peaceful area with outstanding views of the island at Vementry and beyond. The small cluster of houses near the pier is 3 miles north of Aith. On the way you will pass lochs which seem to be good for fishing judging by a couple of young and old fishermen standing with fishing rods dressed in green waterproofs and wellies.

The day we visited was warm and sunny so they would only be wearing this gear to satisfy any tourist wanting to take a photo

At the parking point you can walk down to the pier which is overlooked by a recovered  WW2 mine and usually some Shetland ponies, which on this visit included two foals. Here you can take the boat over to the island if you arrange in advance.

If you manage to get onto the uninhabited island of Vementry you will come across a WW1 gun emplacements, burial cairns and ancient housesteads.

The island was last inhabited in the 1840's, and is now the largest uninhabited island in Shetland

The buildings at the carpark include WW2 Nissan huts and beyond a cottage which is available for hire. No doubt it will be excellent for otters and other wildlife.

It would be a good area to visit in stormy weather, it will take on a completely different feel and will provide excellent views of the aurora being so far away from the bright lights of Lerwick and Scalloway.

Back home its hard to imagine that we have now been in our house for two years. A few people have come and gone but we have been waiting 11 weeks for our new neighbours, its strange because council houses usually get taken up very quickly. Another house further up the road has been on sale since December  but due to the condition of the in and outside he will have to lower the price substantially if he is going to get a buyer.

Shetland has come in the top 10 places in the world to visit, coming in at number 6 according to the Wanderlust Travel Magazine

http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/25-must-visit-outposts

I have also set up a website, selling Shetland canvas prints- please visit at www.amazingshetland.co.uk