Shetland Islands

Our first crossing from Statt to Shetland went very well. The conditions were best possible; North winds below 12 m/s; we made it in 36 hours with average speed of 7 knots!

We passed by Viking oil field, with both Norwegian and British rigs. They look like from science fiction, but are real, this is where the oil comes from.

The first day in Lerwick, Shetland was spent by sleeping in and recovering. The weather window had closed and the harbour hosted about ten Norwegian sailing yachts all hiding from the weather. Kiwi carries Norwegian flag, but doesn’t really blend in among all the shiny white fibre class : ).

While our marina neighbours rented cars to discover the archipelago, we headed on an expedition with bicycles. Two days of hilly landscapes in heavy winds gave enough exercise to carry us over some days of apparent inactivity on-board. Tourist come here to look at the wild life; birds nesting on the steep cliffs, otters, seals and wales. There is nothing wild on land, Shetland looks like a giant golf course. Not a single tree to be seen, all land is altered by hundreds of years of grazing sheep. If there is a lonely grass left forgotten by the sheep, it’s for the famous Shetland pony (a very friendly and cute animal by the way).  

I guess we have to mentally prepare that Norwegian coast perhaps had the most untouched nature we are going to experience on this trip…and focus on the others aspects of the places we visit. Such as people and culture.

Untouched or not, there is a lot of space and emptiness and fresh air on Shetland. Everybody we met were friendly and helpful, and there is a Svalbard-like relaxed atmosphere of a remote island without criminality. The local accent is very charming, place and street names almost Norwegian from the old Viking times.

Next destination will be Fair Island, half ways to Orkneys!