KYQ4: Summer Simmer Dim

Sunday, 17 July 2011

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 Ann who would call me and suggest enjoying a dawn walk. In the evenings there would be time to eat before venturing out at 9pm or later. 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 ambled 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. I usually had the company of a couple of Shetlanders, Ann and Jeff 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 taken between 9pm and 7am apart from the last two of St Ninian's taken on an afternoon trip after taking a colleague to Sumburgh airport for his weekend at home. I had adopted a more sustainable practice of staying in Shetland for a fortnight which gave me a weekend to enjoy the delights of Shetland and then have a week at home including two weekends. Fewer flights were required, less time travelling and more time to work and play in Shetland.