British Isles Explorer: Mainland, Shetland Islands (4/6/2022)

Wednesday, April 6, 2022 (continued)
We were back in time for our 2-hour included shore excursion of the Shetland Mainland island. So, this time we boarded a motorcoach.

Another view of Fort Charlotte in Lerwick

Gilbertson Park (1897) was originally laid out as a football
pitch (that's a soccer field to us) with the stipulation by the
donor, Robert P Gilbertson, that entry fees could be charged
no more than twice a year, and only if seating was provided

 The Broch (c 5C BCE) of Clickimin; a broch
is an Iron Age drystone walled enclosure

Lots of Shetland sheep

View of Gulber Wick leading to the North Sea (KSS)

Heather-covered mountains (KSS)

A short stop for a view down on Scalloway, which was the capital of Shetland until 1708;
the 1600 Scalloway Caastle dominates the harbor on the left

During World War II, Scalloway was the home base for the 'Shetland Bus,' part of the Norwegian resistance against the Germans who occupied Norway. A total of fourteen fishing vessels crossed the North Sea ferrying weapons and supplies, and agents into Norway, and bringing out agents and refugees. They made over 100 tours without loss of personnel.

We understand sheep do best when grazed on heather
pastures, as they have more omega-3 fatty acids (KSS)

Our next stop was at a special paddock near the road
where the Ramnaberg Stud owner, Carol, gave a
short talk about Shetland ponies, whose ancestors
date back to the Bronze Age (3300-1200 BCE)

The pony on the right is pregnant; breeding was
slowed during the pandemic due to decreased demand,
but the market is picking up again (KSS)

The Shetland pony works well as a companion animal

Kent & Tamiko with a miniature Shetland;
there are three types of ponies:
miniature, midi, and standard

We traveled along Tingwall Loch

Tingwall is Old Norse for 'the Field of the Thing' (pronounced 'ting'), a Thing being an assembly of people for legislative and court functions, as well as for social and trading purposes.

Tingwall Church (1760, of the Church of Scotland)
and cemetery (KSS)

Due to the harsh windy climate, trees do not grow
in Shetland, except in a well-protected area;
this is an ambitious garden in Veensgarth

View of Wadbister Voe (a voe is a bay) is the site
of salmon and mussel farms

Found objects art in Shetland (KSS)

Holiday rentals maybe? (just north of Whiteness Voe)

Whiteness Voe, where a sperm whale got caught in shallows, but was coaxed back to sea

Shetland Golf Club clubhouse (KSS)

A couple golfers brave to cold winds

A few areas were pointed out where they still cut peat
for fuel; however, you don't see the bricks of peat drying

The NorthLink ferries connect the Orkney and Shetland
islands to Aberdeen, Scotland

Passing Lerwick as we head down the Bressay Sound

Again we are accompanied by a pilot boat; I cannot
ascertain whether the pilot is actually on the Viking bridge,
or is he advising via radio communication

Bressay Lighthouse (1854-1858, by brothers
David & Thomas Stevenson); now you can rent
the lightkeeper's and his two assistants' houses

Bluff after bluff still belong to Bressay Island

Next: Bergen, Norway.