Shetland Ponies

Shetland ponies are synonymous with these northern isles and in Unst they tend to roam freely in herds, although every pony has an owner and the horses are checked over for health. There are standard and miniature ponies. The ones pictured are standard. They are very, very hardy to survive outside in winter and have heavy coats, short legs and are considered intelligent animals. In the past, they would be used for carrying peat and ploughing farmland, but now the crofters enclose them in certain fields to graze old grass so that new grass can grow.

I also photographed nearby Muness Castle. If I had uploaded this it would have chalked up another castle blip. However, who could resist a photo of Shetland ponies in their natural environment. Let's face it, Scottish castles are everywhere!