Burrastow 24th May
Word sketch
Foula through the mist
a cloud lingering on its top
a moderate swell
black eyed caves
no drama but the rocks are fringed with white
carpets of squill
and mats of marigolds in the burn
5 runners but no dogs
We parked at the head of Lera Voe beside the phone box which has been repurposed as a book swap facility.
There was no sun but it was warm at 14 degrees.
The vegetation was short and compact, as is usually the case on the cliff tops where the soil is thin and there is no protection from the wind and salt spray - perfect for running
We hugged the coast from Burrastow to the burn at the Voe of Footabrough before heading back inland. Eleven enjoyable kilometres today.
Some Waas Place Names
Burrastow
Vaila
Lera Voe
Uskie Geo
Point of Hus
Voe of Footabrough
Trouligarth
East Burra 9th May
Word sketch
a weekend of running
and looking
cold and clear
perfect conditions
on a geological fault
amazing rock formations
spring flowers emerging
quiet sea
We ran from the Outdoor Centre south along the road to Houss. We crossed the Ayre Dyke and then ran around Houss Ness
I spotted a patch of Moss Campion nestled in a tight clump among the grass. Shetland’s wild flowers have a short season. I love them.
Today there were eleven of us and Thor the dog. Conditions were perfect for running and by the time we got back we had covered 12k in an hour and a half.
Some Burra Place Names
Norbister
Holm of Houss
Clettna Taing
Scarfi Taing
Scaalie Point
Houb
Bressay 3rd May
Word sketch
lucky weather
deep heather is not a favourite
short grass is
monuments
remains
slate
first bonxie
long views
freedom
Bressay was breezy but beautiful with really good underfoot conditions (except for the heather on the climb up to the Bard ). However, that climb is always worth it and today was no exception. The air was clear and cold with perfect visibility.
Six of us and Leif the dog completed the 21k in two and a half hours.
Bressay Names
Leira Ness
Kirkabister
Da Bard
Stoura Clett
Seli Geo
Noss Sound
Muckle Roe 26th April
Word sketch
sunny and dry
still cold
pink rocks
crumbling
sharp
sea green
quiet sea today
There were nine of us today and two well behaved dogs
The forecast was poor but we were lucky and although cloud cover thickened as we ran we got back before the rain.
We ran 21k today. That is right around Muckle Roe. We decided that the less visited north half is well worth returning to.
Muckle Roe Names
Roe Sound
Brei Ness
Swabi Stack
Murbi Stacks
Burki Taing
Ness of Hillswick 19th April
Word Sketch
changeable weather
silver sky
first hill lambs
red granite intrusions
black basalt
black depths
silhouetted Drongs
There were six of us today and Leif the dog. We ran across the shingly beach in front of the village and clambered over a fence up on to the Ness. The weather was changeable and we’d be lucky to come back dry. Our feet got wet quite soon but mostly the running was good and the views inspiring. The only thing wrong with this run is that at 8.5k it is too short!
Hillswick Names
Tur Ness
Bight of Niddister
The Quilse
Queen Geos
Baa Taing
Windy Geo
The Drongs
South Nesting 12th April
Word Sketch
a wind from the SE again
the sea is charging at the shore
magnificent
short grass
salty air
sky blue
sea green
There were ten of us today and a well behaved dog on a lead. We completed 13k in two and a quarter hours. Photographs were taken, stories were told, driftwood collected and snacks eaten.
No one regretted coming out.
Nesting Names
Dead Man’s Geo
Eswick Holm
Hoo Stack
Clett o Ramnagoe
Ling Ness
Brough