Good Morning Shetland

Arrive in Shetland on time at 0730. Time for a walk (both for us and the dog - Jess seemed very pleased to see us when we rescued her from the ship's kennels!) through town and around the headland. Amazing, a capital with a narrow mainstreet, few high street chains, parking for free and a fantastic path round the bay with fresh winds, stunning views and basking seals at the side of the path!

The old and the new in Lerwick Harbour

Wherever we look there are 'big' views. Out to see, across the moorland, simply the sky. Old Shetland, Fort Charlotte, narrow lanes, but contrasting with a Tesco (with a car park with waves breaking over the wall!) which has apparently meant the closure of local grocers and bakers.

So we move to our first campsite, a community owned site in Skeld. This is a small site at the side of the harbour, with a launch point for the kayaks but also the chance to get a shower and dry kit afterwards in the building which the local community raised 100,000 to provide in order to attract people to the area, incuding of course ourselves but also a former London accountant who purchased a building to turn into a creamery and now produces a fine range of cheeses. The volunteer who sees us park up comes to welcome us, provide keys to the shower building, provide the elctricity hook-up and tell us about the walks, seals and otters,

 

Stunningly clear water

 

Launch from the beach

Already we can see that the people here are shaped by the land, the sea, the weather (always windy), farming, fishing, and working together. Just raising the money for the campsite is an achievement yet there are notices of community events, volunteering, activities. What contributes to such community cohesion and strength?