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

Easy Unst-only ferry timetable - second draft

Hi folks, and many thanks for all your comments. Here's a second version of the 'easy ferry timetable' for your consideration, printing out, display or whatever. We hope to have copies printed out and available locally very soon.

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

To get to Unst, you need to go to Toft, north of Mossbank on the Shetland Mainland, and 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 £300 per sailing. I have ignored Fetlar sailings.

Look out for long gaps between ferries, particularly on Sundays. And remember there is often a two-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.

If you’re travelling from the mainland to Unst, the ferry from Yell to Unst is free at the moment for cars and passengers. But 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.

MAINLAND TO UNST

Saturdays

Mainland-Yell ferry connecting to Yell-Unst ferry

07.45 connecting to 08.40 or 09.30

08.45 to 10.05

09.45 to 11.25

11.00 to 12.00 noon

12.00 noon to 12.50 or 14.00pm

13.55 to 14.40 (tight) or 15.15

15.00 to 15.50

16.00 to 17.00

16.55 to 18.15

18.05 to 18.55

18.55 to 20.05

21.05 to 22.15

22.00 to 22.50*

Sundays

Mainland-Yell ferry connecting to Yell-Unst ferry

08.15 to 09.15

09.45 to 10.30 (t)

11.00 to 12.50

12.00 noon to 12.50

13.55 to 14.50 or 15.30

16.00 to 16.50 or 17.40

16.55 to 18.15 or 18.50

18.55 to 20.15 or 21.00

21.00 to 22.15

Mondays

Mainland-Yell ferry connecting to Yell-Unst ferry

06.45 to 07.25

07.45 to 08.25

08.15 to 09.00 (t)

08.45 to 10.05

09.45 to 11.20

10.30 to 11.20 (t)

11.20 to 12.20

12.15 to 13.30

13.50 to 15.35

14.40 to 15.35

15.30 to 16.15(t) or 16.30

16.30 to 17.15 (t)

16.55 to 17.40 (t)

17.25 to 18.15

18.05 to 18.55

18.55 to 20.10

20.15 to 21.00 (t)

21.05 to 22.15

22.00 to 22.50*

Tuesday to Friday

Mainland-Yell ferry connecting to Yell-Unst ferry

06.45 to 07.25 or 07.45

07.45 to 08.40

08.15 to 09.00(t)

08.45 to 10.00 (t)

09.15 to 10.10

09.45 to 10.30 (t)

10.45 to 11.50

11.15 to 12.35

11.45 to 12.35

12.15 to 14.00

13.55 to 14.45

14.30 to 15.20

15.00 to 16.00

15.25 to 16.30

16.00 to 17.00

16.30 to 17.15

16.55 to 17.40

17.25 to 18.15

18.05 to 18.55

18.55 to 20.05

20.15 to 21.00

21.05 to 22.15

21.30 to 22.50*

UNST TO MAINLAND

Saturdays

Unst-Yell ferry connecting to Yell-Mainland ferry

08.25 to 09.15

08.50 to 10.30

09.45 to 11.30

10.55 to 12.30

11.40 to 12.30

12.35 to 14.30

13.45 to 14.30

14.15 to 15.30

14.55 to 16.30

15.30 to 16.30

17.15 to 18.30

17.55 to 19.20

18.30 to 19.20

20.45 to 21.30 or 22.30*

Sundays

Unst-Yell ferry connecting to Yell-Mainland ferry

06.30* to 07.15

07.00* to 09.15

08.25* to 09.15

09.30* to 10.30

10.15* to 11.30

10.45 to 11.30

12.05 to 12.45

13.50 to 14.30

14.30 to 15.30

15.15 to 16.30

16.30 to 17.30

17.05 to 18.30

17.55 to 19.20

18.30 to 19.20

20.05 to 20.40 (t)

20.50 to 21.30

21.40* to 22.30*

Mondays

Unst-Yell ferry connecting to Yell-Mainland ferry

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 ferry connecting to Yell-Mainland ferry

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

How to get to Unst and back by car: The ferry connections (draft)

OK, I need to get to and from Unst frequently, and I have problems with both the official ferry timetable and the online booking system. How do tourists cope? It comes down to this: How do you match up the ferry to Yell from the Shetland Mainland with the ferry from Yell to Unst?

This is a rough attempt to address this issue. Please, any comments, thoughts, corrections or changes are welcome. Email unstnorthernmost@gmail.com .

Getting to Unst from the Shetland Mainland. 

And back. By car

A very rough guide to connecting up the ferries

To get to Unst, you need to go to Toft, north of Mossbank on the Shetland Mainland, and 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, 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.

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 ferries are 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 three of these very late or very early 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 £120 per sailing. I have ignored Fetlar sailings.

Look out for long gaps between ferries, particularly on Sundays. And remember there is often a two-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 bookings: 01595 745804

Bluemull Sound info: 01595 743971

Bluemull Sound bookings 01595 745804

You can make bookings by phone or on the website.

If you’re travelling from the mainland to Unst, the ferry from Yell to Unst is free at the moment for cars and passengers.  

MAINLAND TO UNST

Saturdays

Toft-Ulsta ferry connecting to Gutcher-Belmont ferry

07.45 connecting to 08.40 or 09.30

08.45 to 10.05

09.45 to 11.25

11.00 to 12.00 noon

12.00 noon to 12.50 or 14.00pm

13.55 to 14.40 (tight) or 15.15

15.00 to 15.50

16.00 to 17.00

16.55 to 18.15

18.05 to 18.55

18.55 to 20.05

21.05 to 22.15

22.00 to 22.50*

Sundays

Toft-Ulsta ferry connecting to Gutcher-Belmont ferry

08.15 to 09.15

09.45 to 10.30 (t)

11.00 to 12.50

12.00 noon to 12.50

13.55 to 14.50 or 15.30

16.00 to 16.50 or 17.40

16.55 to 18.15 or 18.50

18.55 to 20.15 or 21.00

21.00 to 22.15

Mondays

Toft-Ulsta ferry connecting to Gutcher-Belmont ferry

06.45 to 07.25

07.45 to 08.25

08.15 to 09.00 (t)

08.45 to 10.05

09.45 to 11.20

10.30 to 11.20 (t)

11.20 to 12.20

12.15 to 13.30

13.50 to 15.35

14.40 to 15.35

15.30 to 16.15(t) or 16.30

16.30 to 17.15 (t)

16.55 to 17.40 (t)

17.25 to 18.15

18.05 to 18.55

18.55 to 20.10

20.15 to 21.00 (t)

21.05 to 22.15

22.00 to 22.50*

Tuesday to Friday

Toft to Ulsta ferry connecting to Gutcher-Belmont ferry

06.45 to 07.25 or 07.45

07.45 to 08.40

08.15 to 09.00(t)

08.45 to 10.00 (t)

09.15 to 10.10

09.45 to 10.30 (t)

10.45 to 11.50

11.15 to 12.35

11.45 to 12.35

12.15 to 14.00

13.55 to 14.45

14.30 to 15.20

15.00 to 16.00

15.25 to 16.30

16.00 to 17.00

16.30 to 17.15

16.55 to 17.40

17.25 to 18.15

18.05 to 18.55

18.55 to 20.05

20.15 to 21.00

21.05 to 22.15

21.30 to 22.50*

UNST TO MAINLAND

Saturdays

Belmont to Gutcher connecting with Ulsta to Toft

08.25 to 09.15

08.50 to 10.30

09.45 to 11.30

10.55 to 12.30

11.40 to 12.30

12.35 to 14.30

13.45 to 14.30

14.15 to 15.30

14.55 to 16.30

15.30 to 16.30

17.15 to 18.30

17.55 to 19.20

18.30 to 19.20

20.45 to 21.30 or 22.30*

Sundays

Belmont to Gutcher connecting with Ulsta to Toft

06.30* to 07.15

07.00* to 09.15

08.25* to 09.15

09.30* to 10.30

10.15* to 11.30

10.45 to 11.30

12.05 to 12.45

13.50 to 14.30

14.30 to 15.30

15.15 to 16.30

16.30 to 17.30

17.05 to 18.30

17.55 to 19.20

18.30 to 19.20

20.05 to 20.40 (t)

20.50 to 21.30

21.40* to 22.30*

Mondays

Belmont to Gutcher, connecting with Ulsta to Toft

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

Belmont to Gutcher, connecting with Ulsta to Toft

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

Excellent redesign of unst.org website

The main unst.org website has been designed and revamped and is now a speedy joy to navigate! Check it out here.

Gardiesfauld youth hostel, camping and caravan site - stunning quality and value

I had a look round the Gardiesfauld Youth Hostel in Uyeasound, Unst (though you don't have to be youthful!) camping and caravan site today, partly in my official role as Unst Tourist Development Officer and partly because I'll be parking my camper van (if it gets to Shetland) there next week.

And it's really excellent. The hostel itself can accommodate 35 people in a variety of rooms (1 x 11 bed dormitory, 2 x 6 bed dormitories (one with disabled en-suite) 2 x 5 bed dormitories (1 with en-suite) 1 x 2 bed dormitory. And there's loads of walled garden space for tents and five caravan stances with power and water. There's a beach, a pier and a truly lovely conservatory, as well as a cosy sitting room. Showers and the like are shared between the hostel and the campsite.

All this for £15 per person per night, £15 per caravan or camper van if you want the hook-ups, and only six quid per tent or unconnected camper.

It's run by a trust and is both immaculately clean and very nicely decorated and furnished (I particularly liked the Unst-made bean bag with Shetland tweed top!)

Find out more from the Gardiesfauld website here: http://www.gardiesfauld.shetland.co.uk/ but book early, as it can get very busy. There are still beds available in June, by the way, though the rest of Unst is filling up very quickly if you're thinking of coming then.

Skidbladner - one of Scotland's secret treasures. A proper, seagoing viking longship you can get into!

I still marvel at this thing. Over 24 metres long, a replica of the famous Gokstad ship in Norway, and a proper, seagoing viking longship. The Skidbladner is in Scotland (at Haroldswick in Unst, Shetland), you can not only visit both it and an adjoining full-size replica viking longhouse, you can climb inside, walk around, pretend to row, steer and generally do what vikings did, within reason.

And when I say 'seagoing', this thing was sailed from Norway. Well, about halfway, before the crew had to be rescued.

Honestly, it's fantastic. And when you add the Unst Boat Haven and also the Heritage Centre, you have a maritime history day out par excellence.

Don't get me started on the real viking longhouse sites in Unst. We'd be here a lot longer than just a day...

Shetland Amenity Trust page on the Skidbladner is here

Skidbladner 

(Translator´s Note: Skidbladner, according to the Edda, is a ship, made by the dwarfs, the sons of  Ivald, and given by them to Frey. It is large enough to receive on board all the Asas, yet may be taken to pieces, and carried in the pocket. As soon as the sail is hoisted, there is a fair wind. It is here employed to typify the power of imagination.) 

It is so chilly in the mighty North !
Lower down, to habitable earth,
Thou wouldest go, from snow and ice,
Where the vine and orange bless the land ;
Where green-clad May and ripened summer stand,
Lingering over Paradise.

Ah ! how sweetly fly life's careless hours !
Whisperest thou, among yon leafy bowers,
Near the nightingale's soft song:
Could I drink of those clear silver streams,
Each fair vision of my fondest dreams
Would for once to truth belong !

Wherefore not ? for, what is truth, or seeming ?
What yon can and know, awake or dreaming,
That is life's reality :
Trust hut in Poesy to wing your flight ;
It may be boundless, as the heaven's own light,
And as ocean's waters free.

Behold ! Skidbladner hails you from the shore :
The golden ship of fancy can explore
Every sea and every land :
Always on her sail fair breezes blow ;
Earth more bright, the heavens more lofty show,
When upon her deck you stand.

Odin contrived her when the world he built ;
Envy, and selfishness, and coward guilt,
Dare not in the fair ship be :
A bard with golden harp the rudder guides ;
And, chased by favouring gales, the smooth keel glides
Round the earth and round the sea.

From the Spirit-world, like morning mist,
Falls the veil ; it is your own :
Climb the polished deck whene'er you list : J ]
Rock and wood with friendly smile invite you,
Boundless fields of blue expanse delight you,
Clearly from your top-mast shown.

Fearless sail on ! see where, 'mid golden clouds,
Yon western city stands ; where joyous crowds
Raise the song and lead the dance :
How gloriously its marble pillars shine ;
While from each turret, bathed in light divine,
Streams the purple-coloured glance.

There Braga's harp, as if in Idavall,
Is sounding yet to grace the festival,
Balder there is living still :
Fates of the future, memories of the past,
Riddles of life and death, in order placed,
You may study as you will.

Then pine not to forsake the chilly North !
The fleeting glories of the natural earth
To Art eternally belong ;
And, wheresoever fate hath set your home,
Fair Hellas and Hesperia will come,
New created by your song.

Esaias Tegner, Swedish poet (1782-1846)

From: "Specimens of Swedish and German poetry, tr. by J.E.D. Bethune. 
Poems of E. Tegner. (...)", 1848.