Another beautiful day, another beautiful island. The Shetlands are a group of over 100 islands, mostly unpopulated. The total population is about 22,000 people. Not sure how many sheep I would guess millions based on what we saw!

We had a tour of the main island starting from the capital Lerwick. We passed rolling hills alternating from vivid green meadows dotted with sheep, to hills of peat (some being harvested for peat to burn), to fields of heather which bloom in the fall painting the hills a purple color. Around almost every corner was a bay with a small community of stone houses. Almost no trees. The islands were originally forested with small, stunted trees of birch, aspen and willows. As these were cut for housing they did not regrow except in very sheltered areas out of the strong winds that continually batter the islands

We passed through prosperous looking areas with sone houses lining the streets. The Shetlands are benefiting from the oil and gas finds in the seas to to the north west. They have a well developed infra structure, good roads, hospital, recreation facilities. They also have the second largest fish processing plant in Europe with 3 kinds of fish landed here including herring and mackerel.

Due to the influence of the gulf stream the climate is quite moderate so even though they are at 60 north it rarely snows, however the winters are cool and rainy.

We visited Scalloway, the launching point for the “Shetland bus”. This was a joint effort between the Brits and the Norse resistance during WWII. It was a covert operation started after Germany invaded Norway in 1940. They used small boats to run the over 200 miles between the Shetlands and Norway to land agents, equipment for the resistance and other supplies in Norway and to evacuate people in danger. It was suspended for the months of June and July as there was not enough hours of darkness to make the transit in the dark and the risk of being seen by German airplanes was too high.

There is an old castle at Scalloway that we visited.

There were already close ties with Norway as the Shetlands were once owned by Norway. However, there is evidence of inhabitants going back to the iron age.

We visited a Shetland pony farm. Not only are their horses small but also the sheep and dogs (Shetland collies).

Colleen, as requested I am including some pictures of our cabin. The cabins are bigger than those on Oceania and the staff is all really friendly and helpful. However, both Gary and I think the food on Oceania is much better and the breakfast buffet is far superior on Oceania. Despite that I expect we will manage to gain a pound or two. The wines better on Regent which mare than offsets the food quality!! Plus I can get all the champagne and kir royales that I need (or is that want?)