Our Shetland Adventure

A typical approach to Lerwick landing at the Sumberg Airport. About 200,000 people pass through
this airport during the year. Hard to believe.

Our 35 seat plane almost ready for the 1 hour and 10 minute flight.

We cross the runway looking both ways before we cross. NO, we are crossing the airport runway,
but there are lights to check and we stop if they are flashing. On the right is the Atlantic Ocean and on the
left is the North Sea.

A closer look.

The average temperature is 45 in March followed by 59-61 in July and August. We wore
our winter coats the entire time. The coldest recorded temperature was 16 F.

 The general climate is windy and cloudy.We still loved it. The people who live here are HARDY people. They are friendly and ready to help with any directions.

This road  on the left is for one car. You always have to be on the lookout for an oncoming
car and be prepared to turn out at the frequent car turn outs.

The history books say the Shetland islands are made up of about 100 islands formed by a range
of ancient hills standing on the continental shelf  and partly drowned when the sea level rose 400 feet
at the end of the last glaciation 10,000-12,000 years ago. 16 of the islands are inhabited.

The mainland, where we were, is 351 sq feet. This is the 3rd largest Scottish Island. The population is about 23,000 people. There are 6 more moderate sized islands  with six more smaller ones. Some islands have very few people inhabiting them.

There are very few trees on the islands, due to years of grazing and burning the heather and
being so close to the ocean winds. When you do see a tree, it is something to behold.

Since 1970's oil exploration has made a significant impact on the economy and way of life here. Often times 3,000 workers are here at any one time.