Unicorn View

A lovely sunny morning, and sunny most of the day and evening.  There has been wintery showers passing over, sometimes heavy, but thawing quickly.  Windy at times.

I've been working in the museum again today, and a steady day of visitors.  Met friend Julie for walkies with the dogs in Hamnavoe, and also saw Lorraine and Tommy too.  Feet up now.  I'm not a big fan of the Royal Family, but sad to hear Prince Philip passed away.  It would have been good to see him turn 100.  He first visited Shetland in 1953, then again in 60, 69, 81, 93 and then 1995.  

National Unicorn Day today, and we do have our own story of a Unicorn in Shetland.  August 1567, a ship named the Unicorn was chasing Mary Queen of Scots husband, Earl of Bothwell, who fled to Shetland, after suspicions of involvement to murder to her first husband, Henry, Lord Darnley.  At Sumburgh, Bothwell commandeered to ships from German merchants.  Just north of Bressay Sound, the Unicorn almost caught them, when they both struck a reef.  Bothwell's ship struggled on to Baltasound, but the Unicorn was a wreck.  The fugitive sailed on to Norway, where the King of Denmark rejected his offer to give Orkney and Shetland back to the Danish Crown, he was jailed and died insane.  The reef was named the Unicorn, and the story lives on.  Unicorn View, and Unicorn Court (next door), both look out the North Mouth and look towards  the Unicorn.   Taken at Unicorn View, Lerwick.