Tuesday 17 July 2018

Kayak & Walk Shetland

Last month we went to Shetland to visit our neighbours/friends who have a holiday house on mainland (Walls). It was about 8 years ago since we last visited the islands. You can read a summary about that here. Obviously I was quite anxious about the ferry crossing after my previous experience so I had been keeping a close eye on the weather forecast and sea state. We were due to leave on the 14th of June but there was a huge storm forecasted that evening so we decided to postpone it to two days later. I'm glad I did because we had a smooth journey.


The Shetland Isles lie 168 km North East from Scottish mainland

On Sunday the 17th of June we arrived in the early hours and met up with Dave and Lucy in their beautiful house in Scarvister.

North Scarvister house

As it was stunning weather Dave, Jaap and me went out for a kayak trip along the coastline from Westerwick to Reawick. Lucy was injured so she took photos of us from land.

Kayak trip Westerwick-Reawick


More detailed map


Jaap and Arctic tern



Stunning linked cave at Westerwick



There was a cave around every corner!



Good conditions to explore every bit of the coastline


Practicing our paddle strokes in narrower bits



The geology there is mindblowing!

Jaap in his element

This rock structure at Clett looks like a bull
 
Jaap is keeping a safe distance from crashing waves


The cliffs at Reawick are made of sandstone

Dave paddling at Reawick


Lucy had a fantastic bird's eye view of us from land © Lucy Gilbert 2018

Exploring one of the many caves at Westerwick  © Lucy Gilbert 2018


Approaching sea stacks at Sil Wick  © Lucy Gilbert 2018


Another sea stack we could get through! © Lucy Gilbert 2018


Shags on rock
 
Happy paddlers at Reawick


The next day the weather changed and it got really windy so we went for an exciting coastal walk from Dale of Walls to Sandness.


Route coastal walk Dale of Walls to Sandness



Happy couple


Lucy watching the waves


Beautifully coloured waves



Exhilirating to watch the waves crashing against the cliffs!



Huge surf at Sandness


The third day the wind came from the South West, F4-5, so we decided to paddle on the East side, at Bressay. Lucy had to do work on Noss. It's a very short ferry crossing from Lerwick but you feel like you're miles away from mainland. We left the car at Setter and hoped to circumnavigate the island clockwise. At Bard Head the sea state was such that we decided to return the same way.


Route map of our trip along the East coast of Bressay


Coffee break on the beach of Noss overlooking Bressay


Seal basking in the sun


Add caption


Stunning cloud formation above Noss


Then it got too windy for kayaking so we visited Lerwick, its wonderful Shetland museum and Bonhoga Gallery.


The Viking influences can still be seen in Lerwick
(image manipulated on Iphone)


After a few wonderful days we left our friends and went up to Hamnavoe to stay at Johnnie Notions böd. In Shetland, a Böd was a building used to house fishermen and their gear during the fishing season. Now they offer basic accommodation: http://camping-bods.com/. We booked this place exclusively (it has 4 bunk beds). There is a simple kitchen (cold water), no shower but two toilets and it has a woodburning stove. Just perfect for a few nights, instead of camping in some windy and sometimes wet weather!

Johnnie Notions Böd in Hamnavoe


Johnnie Notions Böd in Hamnavoe

Information about Johnnie Notions


Inside "our " böd

We walked from Hamnavoe to Eshaness to Dore Holm back to Hamnavoe via Tangwick.


Map Eshaness


A wee gang of cute puffins!


Field of cotton grass


Wild orchid


Dore Holm (manipulated on Iphone)


Wave in collapsed cave (manipulated on Iphone)

On our last day we met up with Lucy and Dave again (who stayed over in our böd for 1 night) and did the Fethaland circular walk.


Route circular walk Fethaland


A large rock of quartz had to be investigated upclose


Close-up quartz


Looking towards Isle of Fethaland


Remains of old fishing houses


Skillfully built fishing house


House with a view

After a superb week with some mixed weather it was time to go back home again. It was unfortunate that the moment we got on the ferry the weather looked very stable for the following week and it would have been just perfect for kayaking. Next time we go to Shetland we'll definitely stay longer! We already know a lovely place to stay at...


Goodbye inspiring Shetland, till next time!