The Shetland Islands (40)

Hi, And welcome back. It’s been a while.

Anne and I decided to go to the Shetland Islands for their End-of-January Viking festival called Up Helly A’. I will tell you about that in the next post. This is about the islands themselves. There are about 300 islands, 16 of which are inhabited. They are at 60° north of the Equator, which makes them on a latitude with Norway and Russia. Pretty cold here.

The Shetland Islands cover 1,468 square kilometres (567 sq mi), in size. And they have a total coastline of 2,702 kilometres (1,679 mi) long. So, no matter what way you look, there is an water view: sometimes the Atlantic Ocean; sometimes the North Sea; sometimes both at once. (Sorry the pictures are blurry: Some because I shot them through the window. Some because my hands were so cold, even in my new gloves, that I couldn’t hold the camera still.)

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There is a narrow strip of land that connects the main island with a smaller one. It is called a Tombolo, derived from the Latin tumulus, meaning ‘mound’. It differs from an isthmus in that it has sand deposited on one side and removed from the other depending on the movement of the tides and sea. The one shown below is St. Ninian’s Tombolo, leading to St. Ninian’s Isle. It is the most active tombolo in the UK. You can read more about it if you like at this site:

https://www.shetlandamenity.org/st-ninians-isle-tombolo

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The capital of the Shetland Islands is Lerwick, on the largest island, oddly enough, called Main Land. I know, an island called Main Land is a little confusing. However, there is also a village called Ireland. So some people live in Ireland, Shetland, Scotland, UK. How’s that for confusing? But I digress.

We ate lunch at Frankie’s Fish and Chips. It is the northern most Fish and Chips Shop in the UK. Located on the largest island in the Shetlands, called Main Land, in a town called Brae. Fortunately we had called ahead for a reservation and did not have to take advantage of their outdoor seating. Their fish is breaded in the most delicious, light batter. Not heavy like some. And the chips (fries, to us) were excellent.

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There are about 8,000 people in Lerwick; 23,000 people in the Shetlands; and 150,000 sheep. And they only count the sheep over 1 year old. In addition to sheep, they have a huge population of seals, Shetland Ponies and, of course, Shetland Sheep Dogs.

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One more thing about The Shetland Islands: The sign of the day:

So, that’s a little about the Shetland Islands. Well worth the trip. However, next time I am going in the summer. The days will be 19 hours long instead of 4 hours long and the temperature should be a little warmer.

See you next time, when I will post about Up Helly A’.