Shetland

In the early 1970’s I was spending two weeks each year working as part of an Audit team in Cockermouth, Cumbria.

After about 5 years I decided I wanted to have a change and asked to move to a new team. This was agreed and I moved office, from Great Yarmouth to Lowestoft where I was living.

I started working on the books of a company based in Lerwick, Shetland. The books would be sent to Lowestoft by ship and train, but as the company expanded it was agreed that an audit team would travel to Lerwick.

My attraction for the island, its people and scenery began from the very first day I landed at Sumburgh Airport on the southern tip of the main island. Each time I visited, and since those early days I have made over 50 visits, I have taken my camera.

Most of my visits have been on business but I have also been to Shetland with the family while on holiday.

Image number 1 is of a Shetland model secure and safe from the strong winds that are very common in the Islands that are due west of Bergen in Norway.

Image number 2 is of St Ninians Isle with its spectacular Tombolo of sand, the sea on both sides. My wife’s favourite place in Shetland and somewhere we always spend a day when we are on holiday.

The final image (number 3) was taken when my son in law came with me to see the Tall Ships visit to Lerwick in 2023. As the crew struggle to secure the sails.

I am reminded of the days I spent at Sumburgh Airport waiting for the wind to drop to the level where the plane can take off. On one occasion the pilot tried twice to land but the wind pushed the plane sideways and on the final attempt we hit the tarmac with a quite a bump!!

These three images are from the thousands that I have taken of this unique place over the last 50 years. They show the beauty of Shetland, its dependence on the sea and its attraction to those who earn a living from the sea.