topic Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND in Community Chat

SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

Oznell — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:14:52 GMT

Another remote island, but this time, in the north. It's Unst, the most northerly inhabited island in the famed Shetland Islands of Scotland, so therefore the most northern in all of the U.K.

See the most northern little cluster of islands, above mainland Scotland below? That's the Shetlands, and the most northern of them is Unst.

Unst has a beautiful nature reserve on it, among other attractions, and you can see from this map that it is not that far from Norway. Iceland is just off-screen, to the north-west.

Hiking on Unst.

The birds and wildlife are fascinating, not least of which, adorable little puffins!

And of course the Shetland ponies--

I adore the sheep, which seem to have no fear of altitudes.

Occupations on Unst include sheep farming, fishing, tourism, aqua culture. There are about 700 souls on the island. Because of exactly how it is positioned, the climate of the island is milder than you would think.

Exciting news is that there's a new spaceport on Unst, SaxaVord, that will be launching rockets! Further info at the BBC-- "Shetland spaceport ready for launch in July".

But here's possibly the most fascinating thing of all ( to me) about Unst. Its Victorian-era lighthouse, Muckle Flugga, was designed by Robert Louis Stevenson's father and uncle, noted engineers-- and young Robert Louis Stevenson visited there.

Muckle Flugga is perched on steep rocks in the ocean, and is roughly in the same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska--

And, it is believed that the famous map of "Treasure Island" in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, is his fictional rendering of the remote island of Unst!!!

There's a romantic, late 1500's castle ruin on the island, Muness.

St. Olaf's Church--

A re-creation of a longhouse, from the days when Vikings

A charming old house--

One of those quirky details that make small communities so interesting--- a young boy complained that the bus stop was not comfortable, so now, it has been named after him, "Bobby's Bus Stop" and it is kept very comfortable indeed, complete with Pooh bear!

Here's a cottage that can be rented for short stays. Note the puffins on the pillow--

I was impressed by how pleasant and clean this bathroom looks--

The exterior of the cottage shows the moody, cloudy skies that often envelop Unst--

Unst has understandably, only a few shops.

I was curious to see the largest community in the Shetlands, and what IT would look like. It is a town called Lerwick, and it is on the Shetland island they call the Mainland Island--

Lerwick Harbour. Lerwick, on Mainland Island is still a small town, but definitely seems more citified than Unst, of course.

Love the upright, rectilinear stone buildings in Lerwick.

I never got as far north as Scotland, and really wish I had!

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

plaidinmyveins — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:24:32 GMT

I've never posted before, but had to comment on these beautiful pictures. My 2x great-grandmother was born in Bressay, Shetland Islands. Thanks you for sharing!

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

Cakers3 — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:34:34 GMT

@Oznell Thank you for a wonderful "tour". The blend of contemporary with the historical in certain areas is always seamless.

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

Puzzle Piece — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:38:38 GMT

Beautiful photos but to me that's cold country. Brrrrr.

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

LindaSal — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 19:27:58 GMT

@Oznell I have been to Lerwick! I did a small ship cruise a few years back and did the Scottish Isles sailing from Glasgow over to Edinburgh stopping at many of the islands. It was a great trip. This summer we are traveling again on a small ship in June, starting in Edinburgh, out to some of the islands again (different than we've been to) then sailing on to Norway making stops and going all the way up to Svalbard which will be the furthest north we have ever been. (24 day cruise) Last summer we visited Iceland and that was also spectacular, cruised around the entire island.

None of my business your age or health but if you are able to do one of these types of cruises it is the best way to travel to these destinations. There is simply nothing that compares...... I appreciated your post as always but loved this one especially as my grandmother was born in Scotland

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

Desertdi — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 19:29:26 GMT

What a view! But...I am definitly a "BIG CITY" girl!

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

Puppy Lips — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 21:06:28 GMT

We just got back from a two week trip to Norway. I loved it.

I could easily move to Norway, Iceland, or Scotland.

Love them all!

Dang if I didn't have family here, lol......

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

LIndaMJ — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 21:26:05 GMT

Thanks so much @Oznell! So interesting as well as beautiful. Many years ago DH and our 2 DS visited the UK and we were fortunate enough to be able to take a train from London to Edinburgh. Such pleasant memories ♥️!

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

skatting44 — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 21:27:05 GMT

Some of the photos remind me of where they filmed some of the Hilander movies

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

Oznell — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 23:39:02 GMT

How neat, @plaidinmyveins , since your family was from there, you have aptly named yourself!

@LindaSal , our globetrotter, how fun that you've been to Lerwick! But you've been everywhere. We haven't really had the urge to travel to far-flung, or even closer-in, places of late, but I'm always up for armchair excursions... love geography so much.

Sounds like a great trip, traveling @Puppy Lips !

@LIndaMJ , boy, lucky you, I know I would have LOVED Edinburgh. Haven't gotten any farther north than Wales...

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

conlt — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:04:03 GMT

@Oznell No Shetland Sheepdogs to herd the Sheep? LOL

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

DSD2 — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:14:08 GMT

Puffins and ponies...

Beautiful pictures @Oznell what a treat...

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

DSD2 — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:16:55 GMT

@conlt wrote:
@Oznell No Shetland Sheepdogs to herd the Sheep? LOL

So beautiful!! Reminds me of my dear, greatly missed Romeo and Juliet, both magnificent Shelties...

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

nrm — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 02:15:01 GMT

@Oznell
Very nice photos and description. If you would like to see more of the Shetland Islands Britbox channel films a series there - Shetland. It’s a “cozy mystery” series that has been on for years. It’s filmed in the countryside and a little bit in the city.

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

Desertdi — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 04:19:45 GMT

@monicakm wrote:
What an interesting person you are @Oznell.
I really enjoy your insights into history and geography, 2 subjects I dearly loved in school. Were you also fond of English?

@monicakm

@Oznell is much better at "English" than most of us. di

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

faeriemoon — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 14:22:29 GMT

I would love to visit there. I became fascinated with the area when I watched Shetland on BritBox.

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

Oznell — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:48:59 GMT

@conlt , what a beauty!

@DSD2 , oh, your much loved Romeo and Juliet must have been so sweet. You must miss them terribly.

How nice of you, thanks, @monicakm and @Desertdi .

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

conlt — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 01:24:43 GMT

@DSD2 My first post is a photo of Halo, she was my heart. I lost her in 2022. After 14 years of bliss. Now I have Cindy, who is very similar in temperament. I love my Shelties. Here is Miss Cindy. She was born on Christmas Day 2023 and the breeder named her Cindy Lou Who, and I kept it that way. The name suits her. Of course, I am in love all over again.

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

birdQ13 — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 07:54:46 GMT

Love these pix and want to go to Scotland, ah but alas it is unlikely. I did a nice tour of Ireland 20 years ago many fond memories. I encourage all to travel when you can. I did a 2-week car-camping trip around the entire island of Nova Scotia 30 years ago- also beautiful!- puffins, the sea, nice people; connected the dots with my trip to Louisiana : Evangeline. Wow.

Re: SCOTLAND'S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND

Oznell — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:50:52 GMT

What a sweetheart your Cindy is, @conlt !

@birdQ13 , those trips sound wonderful. I loved Ireland as well. Love the way you connect Nova Scotia with Louisiana through the tumultuous Acadian experience...