The Shetlands are Scotland’s most northerly islands ~100 islands 100 miles north of the Scottish mainland. They are located at a similar latitude to southern Greenland and are kept ‘warm’ by the Gulf Stream. But to Papa Stour .....
This island has spectacular sea caves. Of volcanic origin, they say, the rock type and colour is rather spectacular - a little reminiscent of the Kimberley. We nosed into dark holes in the dripping silence of the cliff face and quietly burbled our way slowly into deeper caves some of which exited onto hidden beaches of rubble where the cliffs or cave roofs had collapsed, after entering others we wound our way through a number of tunnels through the cliff looking for faint glimmers of light to indicate alternative exits - and surprising and thankfully found them. We had to watch our heads and backs at times in narrow tunnels and caves. I expected at any moment to hear the hissing voice of Gollum (Tolkien, 1937 The Hobbit) echoing from the dark corners of the caves. It was thrilling and extremely beautiful.
Overhead back out on the open sea, Eurasian shags and huge black-backed gulls stood like sentinels high on sea stacks silhouetted against a burnt blue sky.
We were dwarfed by the towering cliffs
The colours and shapes were gorgeous
We ventured in here
And struck out for the back tunnel
She wasn’t enjoying it by the looks of it! I felt like a kid at Luna park - the tunnel of love, almost. Lindsay was off walking the island looking for ...... ???
Elephant rock
That night we had a bbq on the back deck with mulled wine and a DJ - and silly hats. Man oh man you should have seen everyone dancing. It was hilarious- but we’re all in to it! Lots of fun
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