The wild west.

So, from Bressay on the east side of the islands, we were due to head north past Whalsay and through the Sound of Yell.  This sound is strewn with islands which make for some funnels for the tide.  Small boats have to make allowances for this or else spend their time going backwards.  The day was not a bad one, bit rainy and the wind was only a few knots and not worth bothering getting wet for.  Taking particular care of the many rocks on the way to Whalsay we hugged the side of Linga sound to cheat the adverse tide.  There were a few large fishing boats lying in Symbister harbour, the Antares, the Zephyr, the Charisma and the Venturous, forgive me if I have the names wrong, it was a mixture of AIS and eyeball.



Fish farming is big business round these parts too.

 Tutak's bridge, those things tell Samantha where to take us.

 The Sullum voe oil terminal with its tanks and flare stack.  They are building a new gas terminal here at the moment with about 1000 workers brought in and staying in floating hotel barges.  I think there are four of them at present.

 Another stunning sunset in Gluss voe, another safe and secluded anchorage.

Up at the northern entrance to the Yell sound by the Ramna Stacks.

Heading in for the Ronas voe with its distinctive red cliffs.

This is a long inlet of several miles narrowing at one point to a cable.

This is the reason sheep up here taste differently.

A close up of what they are actually doing, grazing on the seaweed.

Here we have a mussel farm, strings are held vertically between the many rows of buoys.

 And this is why the beef tastes different up here, no it is actually having a drink as the burn makes its way accross the beach here, they may also graze on the beach to, I don't know for sure.

Ronas voe had to have a reason, well yes, it also has Ronas hill on its steep shore, the highest peak in the Shetland Isles.  I say peak, it's only 450 metres but plenty for me.  I took the dinghy to this wee bay and started the climb.

A little further up.

A bit further.

 Further still and the vegetation is starting to become somewhat sparse as is the warmth from the sun.  The wind is rather chilly too.

The plateau on top with its chambered cairn.

And the ubiquitous triangulation point.

The journey from Ronas voe down the west side of the islands towards the island of Papa Stour was a boisterous one.  The west side is open to the Atlantic and the wind was F4 from the south, on the nose again.  Our forward speed gave us 18 - 20 knots over the deck and spray was once more flying.  Samantha steered and I hunkered down in the most wonderful seat.  We anchored in West voe, Papa Stour for the night whilst the wind blew.  The morning brought light airs and we ventured through the Sound of Papa which today was a pussy thank goodness.  On eastwards along an unpromising coastline towards Scalloway, a truly wonderous vista.

This is the island of Trondra guarding its southern flank.

I have seen these vessels off Aberdeen, what they are I'm not sure, not your standard rig supply vessel, more off a marine fire and rescue service perhaps.

Yoal racing is abundant round about with each habitation having a go against the competition.

It has been blowing for a couple of days now.  There is also the Viking challenge taking place, a 4 day rod fishing competition off small boats.  These birds have arrived for the occasion as there are lots of guts at the end of the weigh in.

 The strong (5-6 gusting 7-8) wind made them virtually stationary in mid air and fascinating to watch, they even seem to use their webbed feet as flaps for extra lift.

I was on the windward side of the pontoon, and stayed there to allow some of the smaller boats to have shelter on the leeward side.  That was until the competition ended and most of them left and then I moved to the more comfortable side myself, it was a struggle mind and some kind fellow braved the undulating pontoon to get wet and help, thanks.

 The windward side.

The leeward side.