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Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary

cooking up a storm at the edge of the world

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Shetland

Hike Shetland: Funzie Ness, Fetlar

November 4, 2022 by Elizabeth

The island of Fetlar, just five miles by two and a half miles wide, has 31 miles of explorable coastline, including 7 miles around Funzie Ness. Boasting more natural arches per mile than any other island in Shetland, there’s a dramatic scene around every corner. Duration: 2.5 hours Difficulty: Moderate OS Explorer Map: 470 Fetlar, the …

Read moreHike Shetland: Funzie Ness, Fetlar
Image of The Face of Neeans with its very steep cliffs.

Hike Shetland: Neeans Neap

February 2, 2022 by Elizabeth

Neeans Neap is a wild and rugged cape located on the west side of the mainland of Shetland, Scotland. Situated north-east of West Burrafirth (south-west of the island of Vementry), it’s a pleasant coastal walk, especially if sheltering from a biting winter westerly. Duration: 1.5 hours Skill Level: Moderate OS Explorer Map: 467 Introducing #HikeShetland …

Read moreHike Shetland: Neeans Neap

Explore Shetland by Motorhome

January 19, 2022 by Elizabeth

At 60 degrees North, midway between Iceland, Norway and the mainland of Scotland, you’ll find the wild and remote Shetland Islands. Our archipelago might only be 80 miles from tip to tip and 35 miles at its widest, but there are 640 miles of quiet, well-maintained roads and 1679 miles of wild and rugged coastline …

Read moreExplore Shetland by Motorhome
Eshaness Cliffs Shetland Islands

Five things to do in Shetland

September 17, 2021 by Elizabeth

With the lifting of lockdown restrictions, the Shetland Islands have seen an increase in Britains travelling within the UK and wishing to explore their own country’s outer, wild limits. So, you’ve decided to visit the edge of the world… here are five things you should do while you’re here. The Shetland Islands The Shetland Islands …

Read moreFive things to do in Shetland
Image of the silhouette of a man standing atop a massive cliff with sea stacks in the distance.

Silwick & Westerwick – a Coastal Walk

October 16, 2020 by Elizabeth

A walk along the dramatic coastline of Silwick and Westerwick, on the west side of Shetland, is one of my favourite places to go to get away from it all. As the daylight begins to dwindle and the winter storms appear with more frequency, I believe it’s important, while living on the wild edge of …

Read moreSilwick & Westerwick – a Coastal Walk
Four Shetland Otters by Nick McCaffrey

Draatsi – Surviving Lockdown with Shetland Otters

May 19, 2020 by Elizabeth

  The Shetland Islands has the largest density of otters (draatsi in Shetland dialect) in Europe, possibly even the world. A family of four, a Mum and three cubs, live on the coastline in front of my house. I’ve been filming them during these last few weeks months to help pass the time during the …

Read moreDraatsi – Surviving Lockdown with Shetland Otters
Image of the Gannets of Noss Shetland Wildlife Tour.

The Gannets at the Noss National Nature Reserve

August 12, 2019 by Elizabeth

During Shetland Boat Week, the Agnes Kay II ran tours of Lerwick Harbour and Bressay, venturing out to the Noss National Nature Reserve to visit the gannets when the weather permitted.  A visit to see the Gannets of Noss with Agnes Kay Charters Shetland Boat Week has just finished, and what a week it was! …

Read moreThe Gannets at the Noss National Nature Reserve
Image by of Orcas in Shetland - photo by Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife.

Shetland Orca Sightings: Tips for Watching these Sea Mammals During Your Shetland Holiday

August 25, 2018 by Elizabeth

I had the idea for this post recently while watching the orca videos I’d filmed with my iPhone last year. I was going to research and write my own post about Shetland orca sightings, and I asked my friend Nick of Southspear Media & Surveys Ltd, for a quote to include. He came back with …

Read moreShetland Orca Sightings: Tips for Watching these Sea Mammals During Your Shetland Holiday
Red Rock Pool, Virkie, Shetland Islands

A Walk to the Red Rock Pool in Virkie, Shetland

July 7, 2018 by Elizabeth

On Shetland’s south mainland, park at the Ness Boating Club and follow the coastline north until you reach the red rock pool in Virkie. This pool is coloured red for only a few weeks of the year if the conditions are right. Blog post includes map and directions. We spent a most wonderful two nights …

Read moreA Walk to the Red Rock Pool in Virkie, Shetland
Puffins in Sumburgh, Shetland

Shetland Islands: An Epic 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary

May 24, 2018 by Elizabeth

The Shetland Islands are a remote island archipelago in the North Sea, lying midway between Iceland, Scotland and Norway at the same latitude as the southern tip of Greenland. It boasts dramatic seascapes, captivating wildlife and friendly island hospitality. The Shetland Islands Road Trip Itinerary I’ve gone on many a press trip over these last …

Read moreShetland Islands: An Epic 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary
Up Helly Aa 2018

The Up Helly Aa Fire Festival Survival Guide

February 1, 2018 by Elizabeth

Celebrating the return of the light, Shetland style! Up Helly Aa is Europe’s largest fire festival held annually in the wild and remote Shetland Islands. A Guizer Jarl Squad donned in their finest Viking attire leads a 900+ torch-lit procession through the streets of the town, culminating in a dramatic burning of a replica Viking …

Read moreThe Up Helly Aa Fire Festival Survival Guide
Ardglass Viking Longship Black Swallow

Follow the Vikings: The Unst Viking Festival

September 24, 2017 by Elizabeth

Highlights of our visit to the first Unst Viking Festival. I’ve always had a fascination with Viking history, ever since I was a young girl and first heard stories of their possible exploration of the east coast of Canada; my childhood home. We did a school project on Vikings once, and I created a very …

Read moreFollow the Vikings: The Unst Viking Festival
Burra Ness Broch, Shetland

Hike Shetland: Burra Ness Broch

October 15, 2016 by Elizabeth

Burra Ness Broch is an ancient archaeological site on the island of Yell in Shetland, Scotland. This Iron Age structure, known as a broch, is a type of drystone hollow-walled structure that is unique to Scotland. The broch at Burra Ness is situated on a promontory, offering stunning views of the surrounding sea and landscape. …

Read moreHike Shetland: Burra Ness Broch
The Swan, Shetland

Sailing on the Swan LK243

September 3, 2016 by Elizabeth

The Swan LK243 is a restored herring drifter built in 1900. This vessel was one of the finest built during the herring boom here in Shetland in the late 1800s. She’s survived two world wars and near destruction, found partially submerged in Hartlepool harbour in the 80s. The Swan Trust was set up in Shetland …

Read moreSailing on the Swan LK243
Image of the Muckle Flugga Lighthouse Unst, Shetland.

The End of the Road: A Cycling Adventure to Unst, Shetland, Britain’s Most Northerly Point

June 7, 2016 by Elizabeth

Embark on an exciting bike ride adventure to the most northerly tip of Britain. Join the journey to Unst, Britain’s most northerly inhabited island, through thick sea mist and ghostly gatehouses. Part two of my long bank holiday weekend bike ride to the most northerly tip of Britain. I slept comfortably in Windhouse Lodge, the …

Read moreThe End of the Road: A Cycling Adventure to Unst, Shetland, Britain’s Most Northerly Point
Windhouse Lodge

Yell, Shetland: A Bike Ride to the Northern Tip of Britain

June 6, 2016 by Elizabeth

Part one of two of my long bank holiday weekend bike ride through Yell, Shetland to the most northerly tip of Britain. Regular readers will, by now, be well aware that I am planning an epic 250-mile mountain bike cycle from my home on Shetland to Fort William, where I’ll be climbing Ben Nevis – …

Read moreYell, Shetland: A Bike Ride to the Northern Tip of Britain
Sands of Breckon, Yell, Shetland

Shetland: The Sands of Breckon

April 9, 2016 by Elizabeth

Escape to the enchanting Sands of Breckon, one of Yell’s most picturesque and tranquil beaches. Nothing beats a beach day, really. Especially when you’re seven, and you’ve just spent the last hour sitting on a couch playing on your Mum’s iPad while she tosses battle ropes, swings kettlebells, and Spiderman walks up the village hall …

Read moreShetland: The Sands of Breckon
The Eigg, Yell, Shetland

Hike Shetland: The Eigg, Yell, Shetland

February 28, 2016 by Elizabeth

I had one of those I love my life moments yesterday. That’s me standing on the edge of that cliff you see there. Taking advantage of the predicted fine weather and the long school holiday weekend, DD and I packed a packed lunch, gathered our provisions, and met up with a friend to do some …

Read moreHike Shetland: The Eigg, Yell, Shetland
Up Helly Aa - Europe's Largest Fire Festival

Up Helly Aa – Europe’s Largest Fire Festival

February 1, 2016 by Elizabeth

Step into the ancient Norse world with Shetland’s Up Helly Aa. Witness the dramatic torchlit procession, galley burning and all-night revelry. Just imagine it – a grand replica Viking galley, a squad of big burly bearded axe-wielding men and a procession of nearly 1000 individuals with torches parading through the streets of Lerwick, Shetland. This …

Read moreUp Helly Aa – Europe’s Largest Fire Festival
Fethaland Haaf Station

Fethaland

October 19, 2015 by Elizabeth

Old Norse: feitiland – fat land, rich pasture Situated at the most northern tip of the Shetland mainland, Fethaland’s fertile soil has a long history of settlement. There is evidence of an Iron Age prehistoric round house or broch (there is some disagreement on this), the circular wall outlines of a Neolithic house and the …

Read moreFethaland
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“Never underestimate the power of your own story. Life may have taken unexpected turns, but it’s never too late to weave new threads of adventure into your tapestry. Keep spinning those yarns, my friend.

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