Beatcroft Social Volume 7: Special preview of Shetland Reel Festival and impending Unst whisky

Volume 7 of The Beatcroft Social features music from Bryan Ferry, Richard and Linda Thompson, Tom Waits, The Creepin' Ivies, The Ramones and a preview of the Shetland Reel Festival on the Shetland island of Unst.  Oh, and a poem about trampolining...

Quite good, on the whole.

The Beatcroft Social, Volume 7: Mysterious Unst whisky edition (pt1) by Tom Morton's Beatcroft Social on Mixcloud

Au Revoir to Unst

Here's a wee video which compiles some of the snapshots I took of Unst during my four months as Tourism Development Officer. The music is a performance of the Unst Bridal March, by Chris Duncan, Catherine Strutt and Julian Thompson from their album The Red House - The Heritage of the Scottish Fiddle.

Enormous thanks to the people of Unst for helping me get to grips with the job and welcoming me into the community. I'm only sorry I couldn't have spent more time on the island and stayed longer in post.

Shetland Reel Festival - full details and programme link

The inaugural Shetland Reel Music Festival is to be held indoors so that everyone can enjoy the music without being distracted by the poor Shetland summer weather.

The organisers had originally planned to erect a main stage on the astroturf at the Saxa Vord resort where the festival is being held.

However the generally wet and windy conditions persuaded them shelter for festival goers and musicians, including Marley’s Ghost, Jim Salestrom and Livingston Taylor (brother of James)  from the United States and more than 30 local bands, was necessary.

There will be three stages for the Petrofac-sponsored festival which begins next Friday (August 14th) and runs until Sunday – the Shetland Reel Stage in the former RAF Saxa Vord supplies building (re-named “Da Factorie”), the Crew Room Stage in the ex-crew room and the Flugga Stage in what was the great hall.

“After the poor summer we’ve had, we were worried that a poor weekend would affect everyone’s enjoyment of the great musical feast we have in store,” said Saxa Vord owner Frank Strang.

“So we’ve effectively moved everything inside. It probably means we’ll end up getting good weather, but if it’s really nice we have a little plan up our sleeve!

“I just hope as many people as possible can come and enjoy a blend of top US and Shetland musicians and savour what should be a very different kind of music festival.”

He added: “A successful music festival would be a huge boost to Unst and set us up nicely to make it an annual event.”

The fun will begin at 6pm on Friday with Blind Summit opening on the Shetland Reel Stage and Wulver taking to the Crew Room Stage half an hour later. The Flugga Stage will be a session space from 6pm until midnight when the after party starring DJ Lyall begins.

Emmy Award winner Jim Salestrom, guitarist in Dolly Parton’s band and a celebrated performer in his own right, will be on the Shetland Reel Stage at 9pm with his son James and his friend Livingston Taylor while West Coast band Marley’s Ghost will headline the Crew Room Stage at 10.15pm.

The music will begin again on the Saturday at 12.30pm, going on until 11.45pm, and on the Sunday from 12.30pm until 6.30pm, followed by an Open Mic night run by the Shetland Singers & Songwriters Group. The full programme can be viewed and downloaded here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B35QdGnk1y_eSG1YckJ4M0ljNmc/view?usp=sharing

Livingston Taylor, who is a professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, will also hold a workshop – How to Get an Audience to Listen to (and Pay for) Your Beautiful Music – on the Saturday at 5.30pm on the Flugga Stage.

Tickets for the festival come in two types – weekend tickets and day tickets.

Adult weekend tickets (for those over 18) cost £45 and grant you access to all three days of the festival. Teen weekend tickets (for those aged 13-17) cost £35. Children aged 12 are under can attend for free, but tickets must be booked in advance.

Adult day tickets cost £16 and grant you access to one day of the festival (Friday, Saturday or Sunday). Teen day tickets cost £13 and again children aged 12 or under go free, but tickets must be booked.

All tickets include ferry trips to and from Unst on the special Festival Ferries schedule, details of which are on the website.

The festival will also feature a Shetland Reel Gin afternoon tea, gin tasting sessions, a cocktail bar, a bouncy castle and soft play area for children, a merchandise shop and a local marketplace.

In this the Year of Food & Drink, lots of delicious food and drink will also be served up, sourced locally where possible, and prepared by the on-site catering team in the Saxa Vord kitchens.

The organisers are still looking for volunteers to help out over the weekend and an invitation remains open to local businesses and makers to book table spaces at the on-site market place to sell their wares. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the festival organisers at  info@shetlandreelmusic.com while those wishing to book a table should email   tom.strang@hotmail.com

Profits from the festival will be donated to charities Horseback UK and Alzheimer Scotland (Shetland branch) as well as Baltasound Junior High School to help with funds and allow local children to join trips out of Shetland.

For those who would like to bring a tent and camp at the festival, or a caravan to stay in, this is free of charge, but the organisers ask that you call 01957 711 711 to let them know in advance so they can assign enough space.

Tickets are available via the Shetland Box Office.

The Shetland Reel song and video by Jim Salestrom

Jim is helping to curate the first Shetland Reel Festival, which happens at Saxa Vord in Unst during the weekend 14-16 August.

Luxury fine lace knitting masterclass weekends in Unst - treat yourself!

Belmont House, in association with the Unst Heritage Centre and Unst Partnership, is proud to present:

Two luxury Shetland Fine Lace knitting  masterclass weekends

22-25 October 2015 (Thursday night to Sunday morning)

22-25 January 2016 (pre-Lerwick Up Helly Aa) Friday night to Monday morning

- Stay three nights at beautifully restored 18th Century mansion Belmont House

- Superb dinners and self-service breakfasts  included,  First night sparkling wine and sandwiches reception. 

- Two full morning workshops on fine lace knitting at the Unst Heritage Centre..Full instruction from legendary Unst fine lace knitters and all materials provided. (Please note: you must be a competent knitter to get the best from this course)

- Afternoons free to knit, explore, relax and socialise. Optional guided tours.

- 10 residential places  available at £265  per person

- The Northern Lights ('Da Mirrie Dancers') may be visible!

- Space for two non-residents at £145 per person. This includes two nights' dinner at Belmont.

- There may be limited places on a non-sharing, single-occupancy basis. There will be a supplement of 120 for this.

Transport between Belmont House and  the Heritage Centre will be provided. Collection from the Belmont ferry terminal is possible.

A deposit of £50 is payable on booking. The balance of £215 must be paid two weeks before the event.

Please contact Karen at Belmont House

belmontbookings@btinternet.com, or

+44 (0)7909 966161

Shetland Wool Week holiday group in Unst

A party of visitors in Unst, getting to grips with the techniques of Fine Lace knitting in the world epicentre of the craft, the Unst Heritage Centre at Haroldswick.

This group is enjoying a six-day 'Shetland Wool Holiday' organised by Shetland Wool Week, which takes them all over Shetland and includes masterclasses in both Fair isle and Fine Lace knitting.

A second 'Shetland Wool Holiday' takes place in August and Belmont House in Unst hosts two 'UnstKnit' Fine Lace masterclass weekends in October 2015 and January 2016. Details on the Belmont website soon.

Unst, music, chocolate and whisky...have a listen

As I write I'm in Unst, where the weather is veering between exceptionally lovely and very nice, with moments of Quite Goodness. I have just had lunch at a chocolate manufacturing facility, or at least in the room next door. And very nice it was too! This week's Beatcroft Social on Mixcloud features four Unst-related pieces of music, from spoof power-hair-metal through choral traditionalism to a beautiful piano-led Unst Bridal March (all starts 28 minutes in). And of course whisky. Or in this case, Whiskey.
Spoeaking of which, I hear there is going to be some rather special Unst-related whisky available very soon. Watch this space! And listen online for a tasting.
Lots of other great music on this particular Beatcroft Social (volume 4), I think, from Robin Trower to JJ Cale, King Creosote to Tuff Love. I hope you like it.

The Beatcroft Social Volume 4 (Unst tendency) by Tom Morton's Beatcroft Social on Mixcloud

UnstFest begins! Some pictures from Skaw Beach and the 'Drift' installation.

On arrival at Skaw, Unst

I recommend Drift, a sound sculpture and music installation by Vision Mechanics and Nordland Visual Theatre, in collaboration with UnstFest partly because I'm a sucker for this kind of art-in-the-environment show, partly because some of the images are hauntingly odd and lovely, and partly because the story is so magnificent. On until Monday, but wrap up warm and remember you will have to wear a cape (provided, not flattering). It's free but they suggest a donation of £10. My full review can be found on The Beatcroft Blog, here. http://beatcroft.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/drift-soundscape-and-sculpture-skaw.html

Every Shetlander and Soothmoother should know it: Betty Mouat, 61, sailing from Grutness to Lerwick to sell her knitting in January 1886. The crew of her boat are swept overboard, and Betty, alone and starving in storm after storm, is swept helplessly around the North Sea for a week, until the boat grounds at Lepsøy in Norway, with Betty safe, well and telling her tale for another 30 years. Drift delves beyond the surface narrative to examine what Betty's innermost thoughts may have been, and very haunting, yet uplifting it is. I particularly liked the meditation 'chapel' based on Romans Chapter Eight, Betty's favourite Bible verse: 'No condemnation'.

The drive to Skaw from Norwick is a piece of theatre in its own right, and Skaw itself is truly one of the world's wonders. If you're reading this in That Scotland (Drive to Aberdeen, 14 hour ferry to Shetland, hour's drive to Yell ferry, half hour across Yell, ferry to Unst, drive to top of world, descend to beach at end of world), then you could try to catch Drift in its other locations, St Cyrus and the Isle of Eigg.

For Unst folk, though, it's a must-go, must-see, must-listen. Until Monday.

UnstFest info: http://www.unstfest.org/

More about Drift and Vision Mechanics: http://visionmechanics.org/portfolio/drift/

UnstFest ready to go!

UnstFest hits the road on  Friday 10 July with a host of exciting events. Download the full programme here: 

 http://www.unstfest.org/2015-programme.html

Unst, Fetlar and Yell to star in TV's An Island Parish

"I live in Yell - but I'll retire to Unst..."

The popular BBC2 programme An Island Parish is set, in its tenth season, to follow the religious fortunes of Unst, Fetlar, Yell and Whalsay. A crew from production company Tiger Aspect will be heading north within the next few weeks.

Rev. David Cooper is minister for Unst, Fetlar and Yell.

"It's a life determined by ferry timetables," he said in a Church of Scotland press release. "So, for example, the Kirk Session meets at 7.15 because I will be getting the five to seven ferry from Yell. And we must finish by twenty past eight so that I can catch the quarter to nine ferry back. If I miss that the next ferry is not until 10.30. It's a good discipline for us all."

Rev Irene Charlton is minister for Whalsay.

"They are interested in the whole life of the place," she said. "Church members will be part of that because nothing that happens on the island happens without church members, whatever name they are working under. The church is the heart of the island."

The Unst Up Helly Aas are expected to feature heavily. "The Viking roots in the islands are very much pursued," Rev Cooper said. "The Jarl and his squad visit the school, the care centre and sheltered housing - everyone gets involved. Finally they set fire to a galley and there is a grand party with food and drink, music and dancing and a lot of homespun entertainment."

But Rev Cooper said that, in summer the light never quite leaves.

"In June you can generally read a newspaper out of doors at midnight,. Maybe it's just the headlines but you can read it." And you do get used to living in extremes of darkness and light. "A lot of people have difficulty sleeping when it's such long daylight. You just have the sense you should be up and doing because so often in rough weather you are trapped indoors. You never get used to it. It's just a given and you live with it."

Originally from County Durham, Rev Cooper first came to mainland Shetland 30 years ago as a Methodist minister. Two of his children were born there before the family moved to Oxfordshire and then to Edinburgh for 16 years. After that assignment ended, Scotland had no appropriate Methodist vacancies. Offered the chance to fill a Church of Scotland ministry in Shetland, he and his wife said an enthusiastic, "Yes."

When he retires in two years, he plans to move again –from Yell to Unst."Now we are fully embedded here," he said. "The longer you are here the better people know you and you know them. You can't just drop into people's lives. It takes time."

Roaring trade for Victoria's

Here's a link to the article from Shetland News:

Roaring trade for Victoria's

Fine Lace and much more Inside the Heritage Centre at Haroldswick

The brilliant, community-run Heritage Centre at Haroldswick illustrates Unst's status as the home of Shetland fine lace knitting, and has some wonderful displays, including one for this year relating to Unst's role in World War One. Open now and an absolute must-see if you're in Unst. Look out for the workshops and demonstrations. The website is here.

There will be two advanced fine lace/textiles sessions at the Heritage Centre during Shetland Wool Week but here's a scoop: Two residential 'fine lace masterclass' weekends at the glorious Belmont House are planned for the autumn and winter, with superb food, entertainment, morning masterclasses at the Heritage Centre and more. Full info and dates soon!

Victoria's Vintage Tearooms - ready for the grand opening

I was in Haroldswick today and popped in to see how Victoria was doing as she prepared for tomorrow's (Saturday's) grand opening of her Vintage Tearooms. The team was working hard but the place was looking fantastic, cosy and with a delightful retro vibe. The great Harold's Wick views are one of the highlights.

 And of course, the cooking was well underway! Some fantastic fancies, cupcakes and more were ready for tomorrow's do, and more will be served from next Tuesday when the public will be welcomed in to what looks set to become one of Shetland's destination establishments.

Victoria has her own website at http://www.victoriasvintagetearooms.co.uk and the phone number there is 01957 711885 if you want to check opening times or book. a table

Bus services to Unst from Lerwick

Grateful to Jackie at Promote Shetland, who has, after many, many enquiries, come up with this form response to those seeking information on buses to Unst from Lerwick.



Dear ....

Many thanks for your email enquiry below regarding your coming day visit to the lovely island of Unst.

By Bus - If arriving by Northlink Ferry you can get the morning buses from Lerwick.  If arriving at Sumburgh Airport it is dependant on what time your flight arrives to make connections for the afternoon service.

See ZetTrans North Isles Bus Service  and Ferry Services links for pdf and online timetables (pls note times change on certain days of the week). You can also download the travelshetland.org app to any mobile device during your visit.

Eg: for a Friday ....

#23 Lerwick - Toft/Mossbank
Dep 0750-  Viking Bus Station (2-3mins next stop at opposite Northlink terminal)
Arr   0900 - Toft ferry terminal

Dep 0915 - Ferry to Yell (walk on as foot pax - fares collected on board for both crossings)
Arr  0935 - Ulsta

#24Y  Yell Service
Dep 0935 - bus waits on the ferry arriving (usually a blue mini van)
Arr  1002 - Gutcher ferry terminal

Dep 1010 - Gutcher to Belmont ferry
Arr   1020 - Belmont

#28  Unst Service
Dep 1020 - Belmont ferry terminal (bus will wait for foot pax from ferry)
Arr   1100 - Baltasound

Afternoon service ....

#24 North Isles Integrated Service
Dep 1430 - Viking Bus Station
Arr   1720 - Baltasound  

Fancy being the new head teacher at Britain's northernmost school?

Enjoy your outdoor access responsibly!

Outdoor Access Code is here: http://www.shetland.gov.uk/conservation/ShetlandCountrysideAccess.asp#ScottishOutdoorAccessCode

Ocean Nova cruise ship at Baltasound

Anchored and ready to bring her passengers ashore for bus tours of Unst, guided by local folk and certain to have a fantastic time!

Bruce Molsky in Unst!

Legendary old-time fiddler, banjoist and superb all-round USA musician Bruce Mosky during his recent visit to Unst - thanks to Davie Gardner for the pictures.
https://www.facebook.com/davie.gardner.3/posts/10153291396906182?pnref=story

Belmont House valued at £1.2 million

Belmont House, which can be rented by the week as a luxury boutique holiday home, has been valued at £1.2 million. Full story from Deadline News here:

http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2015/05/07/uks-most-northerly-georgian-mansion-valued-at-1-2m-after-5-sale/

Music abon aa idders! Victoria's letter and Smirk cartoon from this week's Shetland Times

Victoria's Vintage Tea Rooms pop up permanently in Haroldswick

Victoria’s Vintage Tea Rooms

The former Northern Lights Café and art gallery in Haroldswick has been taken over by local lass Victoria Mouat of Victoria's Pop-Up Vintage Tearooms fame, and will open in time for the summer.

Victoria previously took on the task of delivering ‘pop up’ tea rooms throughout the summer months to provide an extra, and popular, afternoon lunch option for locals and visitors. This summer the theme of vintage will remain, however the ‘pop up’ will be dropped after acquiring a premises which boasts a beautiful and relaxed interior to serve her guests various, delicious, lunches and teas. The cafe is located in Haroldswick, and will soon be an additional option for lunch on Unst alongside the Final Checkout Cafe, North Base Visitors Cafe, Skibhoul Stores and Saxavord Resort.

Good luck Victoria!

Shetland Reel Festival - tickets now available and website launched

Tickets are now on sale at the Shetland Box Office for the first Shetland Reel Music Festival to be held in Unst this summer.

The UK’s most northerly music festival will feature a blend of top US and Shetland talent at the Saxa Vord Resort on Friday14^th, Saturday 15^th and Sunday 16^th August.

A website for the festival – www.shetlandreelmusic.com – which is packed with information about the performers, ticket details and travel information, has been launched today by NB Communication.

There are several different types of tickets, with all including the cost of ferry travel from the Shetland mainland to Unst.

Adult Weekend tickets are priced £45 and will grant you access to all three days of the Festival while Adult Day tickets are priced £16 and will grant you access to one day of the Festival (Friday, Saturday or Sunday).

Teen Weekend tickets, for those aged 13-17 who must be accompanied by an adult, are priced £35 and will grant you access to all three days of the Festival. Teen Day tickets are priced £13 and will grant you access to one day of the Festival (Friday, Saturday or Sunday).

Children aged 12 or under can attend the Festival for free, but tickets must be booked in advance. Child Weekend and Child Day tickets are not available online and must be booked by calling Shetland Box Office on 01595 745555 or in person at Islesburgh or Mareel.

Accommodation is also available at Saxa Vord Resort and there will be space, free of charge, for festival-goers wishing to take caravans or tents. Anyone wishing to do this is asked to call the organisers on 01957 711711 in advance so that space can be allocated for you.

Several new Shetland performers have been confirmed for the festival, which will be curated by Dolly Parton guitarist Jim Salestrom and feature Jim himself, his son James, West Coast band Marley’s Ghost and Liv Taylor from  the US and Lisa Ward, The Sheila Henderson Band and Arthur Nicholson from Shetland.

Daniel Duke, who appeared alongside Lisa on BBC1’s The Voice, will also be making a guest appearance.

The newly confirmed performers are: Autopilot, Blind Summit, Freda Leask & the Shoormal Band, Ian McCormack, Maggie & Brian, Megan & Lauren, North Country Fair, The Bashies, The Dirty Lemons, The FB and Väir.

www.shetlandreelmusic.com

www.shetlandboxoffice.org

www.facebook.com/shetlandreelfestival

@shetlandreel

Waiting for the Russians...

I had no idea just how big the old MOD/RAF installations on top of Saxa Vord actually are. And how spine-tinglingly Edge of Darkness the whole bomb-proof business is. And I didn't even get to explore the tunnels!

But what views from the road that leads to what was the UK's first line of defence against Russian nuclear attack. And, rumour has it, may once again have a dome built there to house....who knows what?

Anyway, it's beautiful, historic and slightly scary. A must-see for any Unst tourist, in my opinion. Tricky road, though, be careful. Don't be distracted by Muckle Flugga!

Tourism - have your say on 29 April

Tourism in Unst

What do you think?

Tourism Development Officer Tom Morton would like to hear your views

What do we provide for tourists?

What should we provide?

What do tourists want?

What do they need?

What can we do to:

Attract more tourists

Encourage them to stay longer?

Tom will be at the Baltasound Hall Reading Room

At 6.00pm on Wednesday 29 April, immediately before

the Unst Partnership AGM

or email your thoughts to unstnorthernmost@gmail.com

VE Day beacon at Saxa Vord on 8 May and a street party!

As part of the VE Day 70 Celebrations, a fiery beacon will be lit at the summit of Saxa Vord at around 21.30 on 8 May. Spectators should gather at 21.15 for 21.30. There will be a VE Day 'street party' beforehand at the Leisure Centre. Further information on local noticeboards.

Shetland Amenity Trust gets almost 2 million Euros for Vikings!

Follow the Vikings Project

ZoomShetland Amenity Trust has been awarded €1.96 million from the EU Creative Europe Culture sub-programme for the project “Follow the Vikings”. Shetland Amenity Trust is the lead partner in this exciting transnational project which has 14 full partners and 11 associate partners with a geographical spread over 13 countries.

The 4-year project will celebrate Viking heritage throughout Europe and will have a particular emphasis on creativity and culture, including the creation of a website and an international touring event. There will also be an emphasis on training volunteers at a local level and skills exchange. All this will raise the visibility of the Council of Europe’s Viking Cultural Route, managed by the Destination Viking Association of which Shetland Amenity Trust’s General Manager, Jimmy Moncrieff, is the Chairman.

The project will seek to develop audiences through a variety of new technologies, build business models through sharing best practice and will strengthen the international network of professionals and institutions working in the field of Viking heritage. A key component of the project is the creation of a Viking roadshow visiting 12 key Viking locations throughout Europe and culminating in central Europe. This will include demonstrations of Viking crafts and arts, Viking games, and shows combining drama, poetry, stories, music, dance and re-enactment and will involve local participation and youth engagement.

Jimmy Moncrieff, General Manager of Shetland Amenity Trust, said “I am absolutely delighted that the Trust has been successful in securing this funding on behalf of our Viking colleagues. We and our partners have been working towards this for a number of years to make transnational Viking heritage more accessible and understandable to a worldwide audience. This is our fourth attempt to secure EU Culture funding support and this shows that a good project plus tenacity can ultimately succeed. We hope the project will contribute to maintaining and developing Europe as the number one global heritage tourism destination. The award is all the more gratifying as competition for funding was extremely intense with only 16 applications being approved from the 127 considered.”

Finished, rough-and-ready Shetland-Mainland-to-Unst ferry calculator!

OK, I've finished (for the moment) the summer version of the Shetland-Mainland-to-Unst simplified ferry guide. Feel free to download it, print it, change anything which is obviously wrong (I've done my best!) pin it up on noticeboards or whatever. It should just about fit on four A4 sheets and I'm going to copy it onto a folded A3 sheet (both sides).

Anyone who wants can pick up a printed copy or two from the UP office at Hagdale.
The whole document is available for download at Google Docs here

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wlQpzyHYgg79IRekDOrXQ5yhLXHqYVGxaPw-rbfuU0E/edit?usp=sharing


Or you can cut and paste from this page. See below.

GETTING TO UNST FROM THE SHETLAND MAINLAND. AND BACK. BY CAR

13 April-13 September 2015

A very rough guide to connecting up the ferries

First - remember that the fare includes travel to Yell AND (this summer at least) to Unst AND the return as well. It’s £13 all the way to Unst from the mainland for a car and driver (under 5.5 metres) plus £5.30 per adult passenger.  Keep your ticket from Yell Sound when you head north. You do not need to show any ticket or pay when you travel south - your ticket going north is effectively a return.

To get to Unst, you need to go to Toft, north of Mossbank on the Shetland Mainland. This is on the A968 and is signposted. You have to turn off the main A970 north at Voe. Toft is a good 45 minutes drive from Lerwick and  an hour and a half from Sumburgh. 

At Toft you catch a ferry to Ulsta on the wonderful island of Yell. Then you need to drive 18 miles to the north of Yell and catch a ferry from Gutcher to Belmont. Congratulations, you are in Unst, The Island Above All Others!

Now, apologies to all who live in and love the island of Yell, but this is a guide for those who just want to get Unst. This is an attempt to decipher the (complicated, sometimes puzzling) summer timetable of ferries across Yell Sound (Toft to Ulsta) and Bluemull Sound (Gutcher to Belmont) and back again, for those who (a) don’t want to stop in Yell and (b) maybe aren’t confident of driving fast on Shetland roads. Not that you should break any speed limits, of course. The Mainland to Yell ferry takes around 20 minutes. Yell to Unst about 10. Same in the other direction. Weather conditions can cause delays.

I have allowed 25 minutes for the 18-mile drive across Yell, but honestly, it can be done quicker and it can take longer (in a van or towing a caravan, for example). The road has some tricky sections. Some ‘officially connecting’ ferries are just 20 minutes apart.   They are not listed here. You need to beware of wandering sheep, distracting scenery, pedestrians, tractors, quads, cyclists  and very slow, cautious drivers in old cars (remember, you can drive on a provisional licence in Yell and Unst WITHOUT a qualified driver accompanying, and your car DOES NOT need an MOT, although it must be ‘roadworthy’). You also must beware risk-taking drivers racing for a ferry they’re desperate to get. And your own nerves about possibly missing the boat. (This is a common Shetland condition known as ‘ferry-itis’).

So, given that you want to get on and off Unst, and you’re heading not for Fetlar or Yell (delightful though both these islands are) but for Baltasound, Uyeasound, Hermaness or the fleshpots of Brae, Lerwick and elsewhere on the Mainland: this is for you.

Note that ’t’ stands for ‘tight’ in that you may find that connection gives too little time for you to get across Yell. Delays can happen. The asterisk * signifies that the ferry only sails if someone has booked on it. But only four of  very late  ferries are permitted per week. Booking is always advisable anyway, for all ferries, at this time of year. Remember that if you have an event, a large party or are wealthy, you can book a special ferry for upwards of £400 per sailing. I have ignored Fetlar sailings.

Look out for long gaps between ferries, particularly on Sundays. And remember there is often a 1.5 hour break between ferries from Belmont to Gutcher (Unst to Yell) over lunchtime. Saturday is different from Sunday, is different from Monday, is different from Tuesday to Friday...

Also: weather and technical problems can affect things. Sign up for text alerts at the Shetland Ferries website or telephone the numbers for information on the crossings in question.

Website: www.shetland.gov.uk/ferries

Phone numbers

Yell Sound info: 01595 743972

Yell Sound and/or Bluemull Sound bookings: 01595 745804

Bluemull Sound info: 01595 743971

Bluemull Sound bookings 01595 745804

You can make bookings by phone or on the website. The online bookings system now offers ‘joined-up’ Toft-Belmont/Belmont-Toft options, but beware - some of these allow only 20 minutes to get across Yell.

                                                         MAINLAND TO UNST

Saturdays                                                                                      Sundays

Mainland-Yell to Yell-Unst                                                       Mainland-Yell to Yell-Unst 

07.45 connecting to 08.40 or 09.30                                        08.15 to 09.15

08.45 to 10.05                                                                              09.45 to 10.30 (t)

09.45 to 11.25                                                                               11.00 to 12.50

11.00 to 12.00 noon                                                                    12.00 noon to 12.50                                                                 

12.00 noon to 12.50 or 14.00pm                                              13.55 to 14.50 or 15.30

13.55 to 14.40 (tight) or 15.15                                                   16.00 to 16.50 or 17.40

15.00 to 15.50                                                                               16.55 to 18.15 or 18.50

16.00 to 17.00                                                                               18.55 to 20.15 or 21.00

16.55 to 18.15                                                                                 21.00 to 22.15

18.05 to 18.55

18.55 to 20.05

21.05 to 22.15

22.00 to 22.50*

Mondays                                                                                         Tuesday to Friday                                                       

Mainland-Yell to Yell-Unst                                                         Mainland-Yell Yell-Unst 

06.45 to 07.25                                                                                06.45 to 07.25 or 07.45

07.45 to 08.25                                                                                07.45 to 08.40

08.15 to 09.00 (t)                                                                          08.15 to 09.00(t)

08.45 to 10.05                                                                                08.45 to 10.00 (t)                                                                             

09.45 to 11.20                                                                                 09.15 to 10.10

10.30 to 11.20 (t)                                                                            09.45 to 10.30 (t)

11.20 to 12.20                                                                                 10.45 to 11.50

12.15 to 13.30                                                                                  11.15 to 12.35

13.50 to 15.35                                                                                  11.45 to 12.35

14.40 to 15.35                                                                                  12.15 to 14.00

15.30 to 16.15(t) or 16.30                                                              13.55 to 14.45

16.30 to 17.15 (t)                                                                             14.30 to 15.20

16.55 to 17.40 (t)                                                                             15.00 to 16.00

15.25 to 16.30                                                                                  15.25 to 16.30

17.25 to 18.15                                                                                   16.00 to 17.00

18.05 to 18.55                                                                                  16.30 to 17.15

18.55 to 20.10                                                                                  16.55 to 17.40

20.15 to 21.00 (t)                                                                            17.25 to 18.15

21.05 to 22.15                                                                                  18.05 to 18.55

22.00 to 22.50*                                                                              18.55 to 20.05

                                                                                                            20.15 to 21.00

                                                                                                            21.05 to 22.15

                                                                                                            21.30 to 22.50*

                                                                                                            

                                                  UNST TO MAINLAND

Saturdays                                                                                Sundays

Unst-Yell to Yell-Mainland                                                 Unst-Yell to Yell-Mainland

08.25 to 09.15                                                                        06.30* to 07.15

08.50 to 10.30                                                                       07.00* to 09.15

09.45 to 11.30                                                                        08.25* to 09.15

10.55 to 12.30                                                                        09.30* to 10.30

11.40 to 12.30                                                                        10.15* to 11.30

12.35 to 14.30                                                                        10.45 to 11.30

13.45 to 14.30                                                                        12.05 to 12.45

14.15 to 15.30                                                                         13.50 to 14.30

14.55 to 16.30                                                                        14.30 to 15.30

15.30 to 16.30                                                                        15.15 to 16.30

17.15 to 18.30                                                                         16.30 to 17.30

17.55 to 19.20                                                                         17.05 to 18.30

18.30 to 19.20                                                                        17.55 to 19.20

20.45 to 21.30 or 22.30*                                                      18.30 to 19.20

                                                                                                  20.05 to 20.40 (t)

                                                                                                  20.50 to 21.30

                                                                                                  21.40* to 22.30*

Mondays

Unst-Yell to Yell-Mainland

06.30 to 07.15

07.00 to 07.45

07.30 to 08.15

08.00 to 08.45

08.25 to 09.15

08.40 to 9.45

11.35 to 12.45

12.05 to 12.45 (t)

13.45 to 15.05

14.15 to 15.05

14.45 to 16.00

15.15 to 16.00

15.55 to 16.55   

6.45 to 17.30

17.15 to 18.30

17.55 to 18.30

18.30 to 19.20

20.45 to 21.30

Tuesday to Friday

Unst-Yell 

connecting to Yell-Mainland 

06.30 to 07.15

07.00 to 07.45

07.30 to 08.15

08.00 to 08.45

08.25 to 09.15

08.40 to 09.45

09.45 to 10.45

10.15 to 11.15

10.45 to 11.45

11.30 to 12.15

12.05 to 12.45 (t)

13.45 to 14.30

14.15 to 15.00

15.00 to 16.00

15.35 to 16.30

16.00 to 16.55

16.15 to 16.55

16.45 to 17.30

17.15 to 18.30

17.55 to 18.30

18.30 to 19.20

20.45 to 21.30