SHETLAND ISLANDS

Find Glasgow close to the United Kingdom and then we are slightly north and east of Glasgow.. Now follow the red balloon and that is the Shetland Islands. It was gifted to Scotland in 1469 in lieu of a dowry for a Norwegian Princess.

This is the Shetlands capital. About 1/3 of the inhabitants of the Shetland Islands live here.

The wind is usually 15 mph during the summer but in the winter can increase to hurricane force 12. From mid May to mid July the summer sun dips below the northern horizon for a few hours. This gives the Shetland Islands 19 hours of sunshine. However, winter gets less than 6 hours of sunlight.

Summer is typically showery and bright and cool while winter can be dark and wild. It is slightly warmer than the Gulf of Alaska which lies on the same 60th parallel of latitude.

The northern lights are extra beautiful as seen in the winter.

We will be in the Shetland Island from June 12-16 doing family history experiences with the wee branch there. We have been talking with them via email for about 2 weeks now. We are so excited to see this beautiful part of Scotland.