Shetland happiest place to live

Its no surprise that living in Shetland, a remote island group at the furthest point in the UK are among the happiest places to live according to the Office of National Statistics.

We have now been in Shetland for over 5.5 years and can confirm this is true. The quality of life is far superior to living in a city.

We have 4 beaches within a few minutes of where we live and has been shown to improve having lived over 70 miles away before arriving in Shetland it can be a great tonic to have a walk along the coast, especially in winter. The Guardian also reported that living next to a coastal environment improves our health, body and mind

Some people complain about the long dark nights down south but in Shetland we have a lot to look forward to. Who wouldn't want to see the Aurora (Northern Lights) , or witness an autumn migration for instance

You can be part of a community, just join in there is plenty going on. Music is a way of life here, Up Helly A a spectacular fire festival, plenty of other activities such as  churches & clubs to join, night classes to take up and learn a new skills and don't forget to try the fantastic food.

• We have never been out so much, for us winter passes too quick

Visitor arrive for numerous festivals or to see the Puffins, Shetland has plenty to offer and the number of tourists arriving by cruise liner has increased year by year.

Clouds over Lerwick

For photographer or artist the quality of light has a great draw, the clouds constantly change, rainbows galore and a storm or two to enjoy, not stay inside.

Up Helly Aa

I don't need convincing, those that have been to Shetland always want to return or even move here just as we did. It too a few years but we wish we had done it earlier, we would always suggest that you come for a holiday first.

check out my other blogs

shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk (Wildlife)
shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk
ww2preserved.blogspot.co.uk  (WW2 Shetland)

Shetland Aurora Hunter on facebook

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)

Shetland- 5 year review

Having been living in Shetland for just over 5 years we thought we would review our stay. This was directly after our trip south to Sheffield a few weeks ago,which provided us with a few reminders of what we had left behind.

 Hams o' Roe

Looking back to 1987, on our first visit to Shetland, Diane and I both said we would like to live here if possible. Eventually, everything fell into place in 2014.  It then took us 18 months to sell our house and arrange the move north.

Hams o' Roe

We were fortunate that we had friends in Shetland that helped us find a place to rent as back in 2014 there was nothing advertised with construction workers at Sullom Voe taking all types of accommodation

We looked at many houses around the south mainland and Burra before finally dropping on a house in Sandwick, the place we were very familiar with having spent all our holidays there. It had only just been advertised that day and we put a bid is straight way and it was accepted.

 Hams o' Roe

So four months having arrived in Shetland we had our house and moved in when our furniture arrived which had been in storage back in Sheffield. A few bits got damaged and a few things went missing but generally we got our house in order quickly. Even the cat seemed at home.

 Hams o' Roe

Some people seem to be able to move here without ever having been before but we would suggest that you come up for a trip or two at different times of year to get a feel for the place

So now we look through our living room window and can see the sea, just the job, back in Sheffield we would be 70 miles away.

Some of the reasons we moved to Shetland
 .
The community spirit and sense of belonging is far stronger than down south, the quality of life is lots better, less traffic and better roads, fresh air, less crime, feeling safer, better health care which is important with Diane being disabled. Lots of opportunities to join groups , better job prospects, music in abundance just to name a few.

Grutness

Having been made redundant three times, applied for hundreds of jobs it was great to get the first three jobs I applied for in Shetland. A lot of folk have two or three part time jobs and this works well. I wanted to continue as a Photography Tutor and this was possible with Shetland Adult education (More courses starting September including those for beginners) I moved to people centred jobs, first with the RVS then as an Activity Co- Ordinator working with people with dementia

Scatness

Diane was able to get out more with the Guild and WI, took up knitting again after many years on the back burner and started to play and listen to a lot more music.

WI meal at Scalloway

The wildlife is amazing, we watched Orcas just two mins away from our front door last weekend, Shetland has the largest density of Otters in Europe and has a superb range of breeding and migrant birds to hold your attention throughout the year.

 Black Guillemot

 Common Tern

Instead of photographing for my photo business I was at last able to start photographing for my own interests and Shetland provides thousands of opportunities. I set up 4 Shetland blogs to make full use of my photographs, including this one

Fitfull Head

Back from Sheffield you can get a sense of what you are missing. Family and friends are what we miss the most but use Skype to keep in contact with them and are speaking to them more now then when we lived in Sheffield. We both miss going to see Sheffield Wednesday, Air shows  and Musicals.

We now use Amazon a lot but this is the way many people are doing their shopping. Delivery is very quick for most things and the Postie is very good. You have to change the way you think about your other shopping as it is now a round trip of 26 miles to Lerwick to get food, petrol and money.

Lerwick

You will find the fuel is very expensive, one draw back of living this far north. Bills are nearly three times more than back in Sheffield and you will have your heating on longer. Petrol is more expensive anything between 5-15p more a litre than Aberdeen with fuel poverty around 45% in Shetland.

Orcas at Sandwick

Shetland has a stable population of 23,000 since 1981 which is amazing really . A lot of folk tend to come then leave within 6 months. This may be down to the weather, we were always told that you have to survive your first winter. There may not be a lot of snow but it can get windy, so you might have prepare a lot better than if you were in a city.

Noness

With wide open spaces the wind can cause problems when you are driving but at least we don't have many trees which tend to cause the most damage.

Scatness

Since we have been here we have had winds of 120mph and other days of over 90mph , well above Hurricane level. The long dark nights can also be a problem for many, but there are many groups to join, music to go to and of course the Aurora and Milky way to see in its full glory.

Storm Gertrude Scalloway  (120mph winds)

Aurora at Bigton

Would we go back, No we are very happy in Shetland thanks

More at: 

shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk
shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk

Shetland Aurora Hunter (Facebook)

shetlandsfp.blogspot.co.uk (Wildlife)

shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk ( Aurora, milky way etc)

ww2preserved.blogspot.co.uk ( Shetland WW2 stories)

and Facebook groups (send a request to join)

Shetland Aurora Hunter

Shetland Clouds.

website: amazingshetland.co.uk