Shetland January 2016

The first trip to Shetland of 2016 turned out to be between the weathers, or at least between the storms.

For a few days the wind didn't blow (two much) and low cloud sat sullenly over the south end of Shetland - this mean that both the boats and the planes were, for a few days at least, able to go back and forward on time.

The weather this didn't offer too much in the way of photographic excitement but it did ensure that I had plenty of chance to walk the south end beaches to see what changes the early winter storms had brought.

The southern headlands of Scat Ness and Sumburgh Head both point due South, and between them attempt to catch the waves from half the compass. Scat Ness and Quendale Bay catch the waves from the southwest of Shetland, West Voe piles up when the wind is from the south and the cliffs around Sumburgh see winds and waves from the southwest, south and southeast.

In January the sea cliffs at Sumburgh are quiet - a few fulmar are always around with one or two early guillemots driven in the from sea.  Around the bays and beaches are turnstones and oystercatchers with a few curlew floating overhead.

Waves rolling in from the South into West Voe of Sumburgh

Flotsam on Scat Ness

Waves from the southwest on Scat Ness

Waves from the southwest on Scat Ness

Loch of Gard's on Scat Ness with Quendale Bay and Fitful Head in the background

High Tide and Low Clouds on Quendale Beach

Low Cloud at Sumburgh Head - and somewhere in the cloud, the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

Lady's Holm and Quendale Bay from the office window at Hestingott - on a clear day Fair Isle is visible on the horizon