UNST - THE NORTHERN MOST ISLE IN SCOTLAND

 UNST - THE NORTHERN MOST ISLE IN SCOTLAND: 



                                 The flag of the Shetlands
 

We had a good nights sleep and were up in time for early coffee followed by breakfast. 



As our animal group the past couple days has been one of the later groups off we were the second group off today. 

Our ship, the MS Maud, is anchored in Burrafirth on the Isle of Unst. Sea Birds glide through the air and the green hills have fluffy sheep grazing. 

 



After making it to shore and eager to visit a Viking long house and replica ship, we fell into a bus ride. 

 

 



The Viking long house was great to visit as it gave us a good feel for the early inhabitants. The Longship Skidbladnir also puts into perspective the sea worthiness of the long ships. It also fires ones imagination as to what the long explorations must have been like. Niek (our historian) was present to enhance the experience. 



We then walked to the Unst Heritage Center, a great display of early life on Unst and it’s history. 

Knowing it would be a bit of a hike, we started back to the landing site, playing tourist and taking a good number of photos along the way. 

The road we walked along was one lane wide, so as vehicles approached we would stop and get as far off the roadway as possible. 

Here they call cattle guards, cattle grids. 

 

This was a 5K walk with a constant mist fall and the temp in the lower 50'sF 

We found ourselves making stops for photos of the sheep and road signs. 



Back on the ship we grabbed a salad for lunch. I am publishing the Blog early today as when we weigh anchor, we head further north to the Faroe Islands. We will be going into open water and I fear the Internet might not be as reliable. 

 Here is to smooth sailing we hope.

LERWICK: 7/2/24 A most enjoyable sea side village

 LERWICK: 7/2/24



It is said that there are more fish coming ashore here in Lerwick than people. 



Today appears to be a mostly cloudy day with maybe some rain and maybe some sun. 



After breakfast we headed out to stroll about the waterfront. We are drawn in by the quaint buildings and alleyways and gardens. 



 

We have been told there was a BBC  detective series called SHETLAND which was filmed and based here. After this visit we will be trying to find it.

We strolled by Baines Beach and Lodberrie. These are historical areas used in the filming of Shetland.



Strolling about we visited some of the shops. 

In Jamieson’s Naturally Shetland we found some very nice Shetland wool sweaters.



We had hoped the RNLI shop would be open but alas only on weekends. 



Then we spied a friendly little fudge/coffee shop. Given Lynn’s predisposition for fudge we stopped in. Even I had to get a fudge named Drunken Viking, a whiskey raisin fudge. It is rather good.

Strolling along we came to Harry’s Department store, one of those shops that has everything and if they don’t have it you don’t need it. I found a unique jar bottle opener to add to my collection of kitchen gadgets. 



Then to outdoor marine shop for some fishing lures to try in Wyoming and a unique spork called a SNORKY. 



Back to the ship to drop our plunder and have a quick lunch before our walking tour. 

Our walking tour was most enjoyable. We learned a good bit about the history and local life. Lerwick is such a laid back community that just has a rather nice vibe. Quite hard to explain, but very pleasant. Lerwick is rather dog friendly as many of the shops have water out for the pups and many pups were encountered as we walked about. 



Many folks on our tour were rather familiar with the BBC series Shetland. Our guide, Lyall, a carpenter by trade has done a good bit of work for the series. 



After the tour we stopped in a pub called The Lounge and shared a table with some local Scots and a couple from Ireland. Just a good time chatting and sharing about from where we come from. 

We found a mini mart on the way back to the ship and bought some discounted chocolate.

With our bit of down time we are catching up on the blog and journal.

Tonights lecture was title was Vikings 101. I must say Niek is one of the best interpreters I have ever experienced. His presentation of most enjoyable and filled with much knowledge. He presented a great history of the Viking Period. He talked of their explorations, discoveries, life styles and much more. He made a remark that resonated with me, to paraphrase, History is where we were and how it has shaped who we are today and will be later as time marches on.

Dinner and we will catch the briefing for tomorrow in our room as we soon start to sail north to Unst, the northern most Shetland Island. 

  

A RAINY DAY IN KIRKWALL:

 A RAINY DAY IN KIRKWALL: 


 

The sun was up early as well as me. 

We have arrived in the Orkney’s at the port of Kirkwall. 

 

Always like seeing the harbor pilots arrive. 

Kirkwall is steeped in Norse history as it was a location where the Vikings landed and settled. 





After breakfast we headed out to explore on our own. There was a cruise shuttle bus that took us the 2.5 miles into the city center. 
It was a nice long bendy bus. (as I call them)

The day started misty and we made our way to the St Magnus Cathedral and its cemetery. The cathedral is constructed of many different types of limestone.  The most noted is the yellow limestone. 



The Cemetery was of interest to me as there one finds the grave of Dr. John Rae an arctic explorer. He is known for this discovery of the passage which opened the North West Passage for future explorers notably Roald Amundsen.  He was further involved in the search for the Franklin Expedition.

There is a memorial for him in the cathedral that many think is his crypt. 



Then we explored the Kirkwall museum which spans the history of the island from the Pects to the Vikings, to modern day. 



RAIN AND MORE RAIN..... WE RETURNED TO SHIP WET, WE DID
 

Next we found a local grocery. We visit grocery stores to learn a bit about daily life. 

Lynn was in dire need of chocolate. As we left the store the rain was falling at a steady rate. 

We boarded the cruise shuttle bus and returned to the ship.

 

LUNCH WAS Called Steam Buns, while good they were more like steam tacos

 

 

At 1830 the ship was serving hot dogs and beer. The hotdogs were reindeer and were quite good.

 We were engaged in a conversation with a couple from New Zealand and got some tips for our February trip. Sadly we missed the whale presentation. The presentations are recorded and can be watched later in the stateroom.



Then a quick dinner and the next days briefing. 



 The Fish Burger is great, it is topped with a coleslaw and a mango relish.

We will be calling it an early evening as sunrise will be at 0352.

 



Fair Isle in the Shetlands PUFFINS!!!!

 6/30 Fair Isle in the Shetlands

Fair Isle Puffins; 

Finally last night the body said you need sleep and sleep we did. This worked out well because we knew our Zodiac time was 1030. So a leisurely breakfast was had as we shared a table with a couple from Australia.

The weather is overcast and there is a bit of rain and a mist which comes in and out. 



After breakfast we prepared for the days outing. Then we loaded into a zodiac and made our way to shore. 

 

 

The ornithologist on board directed us to the puffin burrow nesting area. This hike took us up and over a hill to where the puffins were.

 

 

They were readly available for photos, but they were buggers to photo in flight. After a couple of hours of taking photos we made our way slowly back to the landing area. 

 

 



Puffins are the penguins of the North. In that no matter how many photos one takes, the second another appears you catch yourself clicking away. 



Interesting tidbits about Fair Isle is there are only 46 residents and probably more sheep and plenty more species of birds. We did see guillemot, kittiwakes, skuas and more. Yet the puffins stole the day. Many of these photos will be posted to my website ASAP.  But not that ASAP :)    

Back on this ship we had a great lunch and tonight will be a photo lecture. 

Now to edit photos. 

We attended a very nice photo presentation. I always enjoy these as there is always something to learn or be reminded about. 

 



Chatted with one of the onboard scientists and will be keep an eye out for her activities and talks. 

Dinner was in Freidheim as the menu in Aune was not to our liking. We enjoyed a great meal as well it is lighter. 

We did have waffles for desert. 

Our excursion tomorrow is a walking tour of Kirkwall. Our group will not leave until 1330. We will probably strike out on our own again, as it is a return visit. Will will visit the Cathedral and Museum and probably the RNLI station. (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) as they have fun items and a great cause to support. 



Weather tomorrow looks more typical with a 90% chance of rain.