Today I decided to take the bus to the southern most point of the Shetland Mainland island where Sumburgh Airport is. This is one of the few places on the island big enough and flat enough to land planes.
There was a couple of hours before the next bus so I decided to take a stroll along the beach. I doubt it is ever warm enough for swimming, although with the Atlantic Drift passing by, maybe it is.
Up on the hill there is a radar station, the “Golf Ball” on Sumburgh Head. During the 2 world wars Shetland played a key role in the defense of Britain and Europe as a passage via the English Channel was perilous for enemy shipping. Although much longer, this access to the Atlantic was safer. This led to the Royal Navy and Air Force to using Shetland as a base and the radar system played a key role.This base played a key role in saving Britain in April 1940 when the station picked up an approaching flight of 60 Luftwaffe bombers headed for the British Home Fleet then stationed at Scapa Flow in the Orkneys. With 25 minutes warning from the station, the fleet was prepared and waiting when the bombers arrived. The fire show 125 miles away could be seen from the station. Britain’s “Pearl Harbor” was averted. Had the radar not provided this key role, the outcome of the war might have been severely altered as Great Britain might not have been able to hold on until the US finally decided to help.
But to get there is no “running up the hill”. As the view from the airport access road shows. Although I did play “Wuthering Heights” on the way down.
Starting off the climb there is a very attractive and productive garden. Complete with peat for the chilly days. Although it rarely gets below 0°C/32°F, I’m sure that with the windchill it get rather cold, damp at any rate.
This cut out was a gull nesting place and whilst I was not buzzed, there was raucous agitation.
The road serpentines it’s way up but at first I attempted a straight clip across the fields keeping a sharp eye out for sheep droppings which can be very slippery and falling is never part of the plan.
That’s the airport in the background.
Needless to say, the views made the hike very worthwhile.
Including this Scottish rock garden
From the top of the hill I could see a lighthouse but fortunately I could see no ready way of getting there without having to start back on the lowlands and that would have been too far to make without missing the bus and too far for this old body.
I always respect the fact that the ground on the top of a cliff can give way without warning and this is proof
Once back at the base I saw what looked like a geological marker so I headed off down a path through the RSPB bird sanctuary. The fact that they had an access step meant it was OK to do so. Unfortunately to get to my actual target destination it would have required navigating an inlet and a great tumble of rocks so I let the zoom do the final walking.
Along the way to the marker I spotted what looked like a retrofitted dining table. By the looks of things this grinding wheel has been here for years.
And an old kettle and fire pit probably used in the process of preserving fish.
More ponies
And one ragged, wary sheep.
Others found a more protected spot.
How old might this wall be? And how neat?
And once on the bus there were some dramatic views.
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