In stark contrast to Norway with its heavily forested landscape we have come to the beautiful Shetland Islands where the hills are void of any trees. However, it makes for a stunning landscape. I have always had a fascination with Shetland after watching the television show of the same name, so I'm very happy to be here.
Lerwick is the main town and port of the Shetland Islands and is approximately 200kms off the north coast of the Scottish mainland, making it the northernmost town in the United Kingdom. The tour we chose today was "Jarlshof & Scenic Mainland Drive". Scenic drive is almost an understatement, as the scenery goes from rolling hills of green dotted with sheep to rugged coastlines and soaring cliffs to pristine white beaches leading down to deep blue seas. The landscape is dotted with ruins of stone houses that would have been erected in the 17th century and let's not forget the Shetland Ponies, with their long hair manes, that the Shetland Islands are renowned for. It is a remarkable landscape.
The first stop we have is at the little village of Hoswick where we are directed to the visitor centre. Here we see some beautiful handmade knits, some in fair isle stitch, that the Shetlands are also famous for. We talk a walk around the little village with its very narrow streets that our bus only just manages to manoeuvre through. We come across several piles of peat pilled high in readiness for the cold winters that are just around the corner. It is a very cute little village.
Jarlshof is our next stop with its remnants of stone houses. I had to google this site when I arrived back at the ship because I couldn't take in what the guide was telling us on this tour but I can now tell you that Jarlshof is described as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries ever made in the British Isles with remains dating back to 2500 BC through to the 17th century. Discoveries unearthed here include Bronze Age houses, and Iron Age Broch (round stone tower) and wheelhouses, Norse Long Houses, a medieval farmhouse and a Lairds house dating from the 15th century. It's really quite remarkable.
There is a castle at the entrance to Jarlshof that has been converted to a hotel for anyone who wants to stay here and experience Jarlshof over a longer period of time. The castle has been modernised but the exterior has remained authentic. I love the turrets on top of the castle.
It is now time to return to the ship but the last place the bus driver takes us is through the town of Lerwick that has somehow retained a lot of its olde worlde character.
I'm so pleased the Regent included the Shetland Islands on their tour itinerary and indeed tourism has now become a big income earner for these small islands. I really loved this place….
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