Sixty Degrees North

Our recent trip to Shetland found us in view of the 60 degree N road sign. A few degrees short of Reykjavik and nearer to Bergen than mainland UK. It was a chilly windswept experience with flashes of brilliant sunshine.

The logistics involved over 2300 miles of driving and four ferry trips ranging from 20 minutes to 7 hours. The final two ferry trips took us to Yell and then Unst which is the furthest north in the UK you can go with the Faroes as the next port of call.

We've seen where the Atlantic meets the North Sea and at Mavis Grind we saw where the old boats were dragged across land from one sea to the other.

We've also seen ancient sites with 4000 years of history from the earliest settlers through to Picts, Vikings and warring Earls. I've managed to try out a Viking Longhouse and climbed aboard a replica Viking ship.

The photos include : waiting for the Unst Ferry, a community campsite at Burravoe on Yell (£10 per night, no bookings) A famous bus stop on Unst, an ancient house at Jarlshof and finally a photogenic Puffin who obliged us with a good close up.