Wayfare Wednesdays! A Travelogue of Ports Unknown! Scotland Day One

Ahoy there me mateys!  Welcome to the newest installment on me Log, Wayfare Wednesdays!  As ye scalawags know, yer Captain always be spending me time dreaming of the next far off ports and searching of a good adventure.  So I thought I would give the crew some insight into the fascinating people, places, and things I saw while ye all were wallowing in port in some filthy tavern, swilling grog, and missin’ the sights.  Ye know in case ye miscreants ever get the chance to plunder visit these destinations in the future . . .

wayfare

way·​fare |  ˈwāˌfa(a)|(ə)r, -ˌfe|, |ə

 archaic : an act or course of journeying (source)

As some of ye may know, I recently had a line on a rumor of a bit of Viking treasure, Scottish ruins, and Elizabethan artifacts.  The sea was a’ calling.  So off I went.  After eighteen days of adventurin’ in Iceland, Norway, Scotland, and England, I be back to share me tales.  I shall be splittin’ these stories into several installments due to yer befuddled, swill-saturated noggins.  The first foray was Iceland then Norway.  Next stop – Scotland!

If ye missed day one of Iceland click here.  For day two of Iceland click here.

For day one of Norway (Bergen) click here. For day two of Norway (Geirangr) click here.  For day three of Norway (Lofoten) click here.  For day four of Norway (Tromsø) click here.  For day five of Norway (Honningsvåg) click here.

Scotland was the land of castles, history, and lovely scenery.  We (me and the ma) spent three full days there.  The first day was in the Shetland Islands.  There are 100 islands here but only 15 are inhabited  We saw:

The Drongs

These are an awesome sea stack viewed across the Braewick Bay.

Esha Ness Lighthouse

While I love the sea, the Ma loves the lighthouses that protect the pirates.  Here is a beautiful one on a majestic cliff.  The lighthouse is 12 meters high and stands 61 meters above sea level.  Latitude 60°25.35’N and Longitude 1°37.65’W.  It was designed by David A. Stevenson, the grandfather of Robert Lewis Stevenson of treasure island fame.  Arrrr!

Tangwick Haa Museum

This is a museum that shows the history of Northmavine.  The Ma spent time inside.  I spent all me time by the water!

Meal Beach

It lies just to the south-east of the village of Hamnavoe, on West Burra.  I sat and listened to the waves.

 

Shetland Ponies

Ponies were me first love before the sea stole me heart (and I got allergic).  So of course I loved seeing the Shetland ponies.  I wish I could have pet them.  When I told the staff I was allergic there were mixed reactions of pity and horror.  I agree.  Especially when they be so cute.

 

Bressay Lighthouse

This is a lighthouse that we saw by ship as we headed away from Shetland Islands.

Keep a weathered eye out for more of me wayfare adventures.  Next stop Orkney!  Arrrr!

x The Captain

Side note:  The Wayfair Wednesday featured image (source) is of two sailing vessels “dressed overall” with their international signal flags.  Signal flags are the flags used to contact other ships.  Well unless ye be a pirate in which case the Jolly Roger and yer cannons speak well enough.  A ship dressed overall “consists of stringing international maritime signal flags on a ship from stemhead to masthead, from masthead to masthead and then down to the taffrail. It is a sign of celebration, and is done for occasions, anniversaries, and events, whether national, local or personal.”  (source)  Well, Wayfare Wednesday is certainly a celebration, occasion, and event no matter how ye look at it.  Arrrrr!