Fetlar

Gutcher Geese

Vord Hill - not the most exciting 

But the Bonxies gave some low flying excitement

Summit of Vord Hill -wow

Funzie Bay

Tresta and Papil Water

Tresta

Tresta Church x

Sunday 8 May 2011

Fetlar is one of the more distant islands which requires a ferry to Yell first and then a drive across to Gutcher where the geese welcome the cars and visitors with squawks and pecks. It was to be my first visit to Fetlar and Ann drove us there so she could climb Vord Hill. A visit to the Wind Dog Cafe is a good way to start any day and escape the geese. The tea and scones served mid-morning were most welcome even if the Sunday papers had yet to travel this far north.  The ferry is the same one that goes to Unst but every third crossing takes in the longer crossing to Fetlar.

Vord Hill is one of Shetland's 19 Marilyns but one of those hills that sets the pulse plummeting. The tediousness of the climb was only lifted by the occasional circling of low-flying bonxies.  Fortunately, they were not nesting yet so there were no near misses - they just gave the impression of drones ready to strike. The summit held no great attraction, a solitary trig point was the only blot on a flat hill and the views were obscured in poor light.

We returned to the car via Skutes Water, a bird sanctuary and one-time location of the UK's only Snowy Owls.  A visit to the fetlar interpretive centre provided a fascinating insight into the history and natural history of the island whilst a shower passed through. The community-run museum was a fine example of how to enthuse visitors and engage them in the history of this most remote island.

With another couple of hours until the return ferry, there was an opportunity to drive to Funzie Bay at the far eastern extremity of the island where the seas were being whipped up by strong winds.  The area is notable for one of Britain's rarest birds - the red-necked phalarope - and there is a nature reserve here.  Unfortunately, there were none immediately visible and another passing shower dissuaded me from wanting to explore.   But equally exotic was a new house which was under construction for a Frenchman.  It looked as if no expense was being spared to entice his partner to this wild location.  A walk along the beach and to the headland blew away the cobwebs and allowed the scale of the waves to be appreciated. It was certainly more enjoyable than the tramp up Vord Hill.

And finally a visit to Tresta Bay with a walk along the strand and then a circuit of Papil Water which is the home to many pairs of Bonxies.  A derelict cottage had a garden full of rhubarb which looked as if it needed stewing or to be made into jam so we picked large armfuls and carried back to the car as a souvenir from Fetlar.

The return ferry arrived late, which is unusual, and then we were told that there would be a delay for some spares to be fitted to repair a mechanical problem. I met a charming American lady who had been dropped at the ferry terminal and was to be collected at the other side by someone from her bed and breakfast.  I lent her my mobile to get a message through of the delay and arranged to give her a lift back to Lerwick if need be.  The intention had been to climb the Hill of Arisdale on Yell on the return journey but we were delayed by a couple of hours and decided to save the hill for another day.  We called in on Alistair at Weisdale on the return journey, dumped some of the Fetlar Rhubarb and had some coffee before driving back to Lerwick. Early the next morning 4 jars of Rhubarb Jam were delivered to the house by my driver.