Summer Simmer Dim

Simmer Dim  St Ninian's Isle

I had heard a lot about Simmer Dim, the twilight of a Shetland summer evening. Daylight can last 19 hours or so around the summer solstice and even at the midnight hour there is enough light if the skies are clear to walk and enjoy the spectacular sunsets. I spent most of May and June in Shetland so I was able to experience the joy of these days on several occasions. There is a milky soft light that envelopes the landscape and creates a serene sense of fulfilment. Simmer Dim was far more inspirational than I had ever expected. 

On most days I would be wakened by the light at 4am and by 5am I was often out for a run or a walk along the coast with a friend who would call me and suggest enjoying a dawn walk. In the evening there was time to eat before venturing out late in the evening. Hills were climbed at 10pm, beaches were visited and coasts were walked. On a couple of perfect summer evenings, we drove out to Bigton and walked over the tombolo to St Ninian's Isle at midnight soaking in the mellifluous summer sea breeze, reluctant to forsake these given evenings. 

I was fortunate to have been there during a drier and sunnier summer when Shetland was a magical place and I had the company of a couple of Shetlanders who were happy to encourage and then tap into my sense of wonderment. Summer was certainly a huge contrast to the dark, wet, windy days of December and January when Shetland's weather conspires to keep most folk indoors.

All the photos were all taken between 9pm and 7am apart from the last two of St Ninian's taken on an afternoon trip when taking a colleague to Sumburgh airport.

St Ninian's Tombolo at midnight

Moon over St Ninian's

Laxfirth

Morning run to the Knab

The Knab just after 6am

Cotton Grass at Otter Point - 9:30pm

Hoo stack from Otter Point

Ward of Breiwick and Laxfirth

Burradale Wind Turbines - 10pm

Tree relic

Sandness Hill and Papa Stour

St Ninian's Tombolo 

St Ninian's