Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary
cooking up a storm at the edge of the world
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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! …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
Part two of two of my long bank holiday weekend bike ride to the most northerly tip of Britain. I had a very comfortable sleep in Windhouse Lodge, the gatehouse to Shetland’s most haunted house, built in 1707. There were no signs of any ghosts, unfortunately! If you haven’t read Part 1 of this series …
Part one of two of my long bank holiday weekend bike ride 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 – all part …
Yell’s most northerly beach. 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 kettle bells and Spiderman walks up the village hall you’re in. She’s doing some sort of bizarre fitness training …
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 for some coastal …
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 is followed by singing The Norseman’s Home, a dramatic burning of the galley and then an all-night party in the local halls. The …
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 …
