It had to be….

The wind didn’t let up all day. In the morning is rattled and whistled around the house driving sheeting drifts of rain across the landscape. That blew itself out leaving a sunny, blustery drive to the ancient settlements that make up Jarlshof near Sumburgh. Apparently, it is an important a site as Skara Brae on Orkney.

An excellent interpretive display and audio tour took us from prehistoric times to the 17c marred only by sharp squalls blasting across the bay and the site making us retreat to the visitors centre for shelter.

We were planning walk from Jarlshof to Sumburgh Head and back around the coast. The gusting wind put paid to that so we drove to the carpark, walking up to the lighthouse only to find it closed until Wednesday.

Never mind, the clouds had dispersed although not the wind. There were plenty of birds to sea along with dramatic coastal scenery and tumultuous seas crashing on the cliff.

Of course, the highlight was seeing puffins galore including this little charmer. A life time’s ambition fulfilled for Susan and I.

We completed the day with two further stops, first to the Ness of Burgi right out on a headland to visit the Iron Age fort. A spectacular short walk buffeted by the wind with superlative coastal scenery at every turn as you can see in the extra. The route took us across a narrow neckof rock which we negotiated by using a chain handrail.

Our final was the splendid beach at Quendale Bay. By now the sun was shining brightly lighting up the agitated seas and Sumburgh Head.

The sky remains clear as sunset approaches. The wind has not abated…