Walk from Sumburgh to Fitful Head through Quendale and back

I decided to have a walk from Sumburgh Hotel to Fitful Head, which is one of the highest points at the extreme South of Shetland. First I passed through the Airport's Runway, after that through village called Toab, then walked along the Quendale beach, which is Natural reserve and nice place to be seen and after that following the the cliffs I got to the highest point of the Fitful Head. From there after some time walking about the area I got on the main road and returned to Sumburgh. The whole thing too a few hours, but otherwise wasn't difficult at all, just a bit of uneven terrain. At some point on my way back when I was near some seagull-infested place I heard something strange, like a seal call or similar, but different and it is in the video also, but I can't find yet what makes such sounds, so I am open for suggestions.

Sumburgh Airport, Shetland - turboprop airplanes on the runway

Just a few turboprop airplanes taking off and landing on the Sumburgh Airport runway, which crosses the car's road.

Jarlshof - prehistoric and Norse settlement near Sumburgh, Shetland

Jarlshof is amazing prehistoric and Norse settlement near Sumburgh, Shetland. Its history spans thousands of years and it was home to prehistoric people, picts, vikings and more.

Sumburgh and Compass Head, Shetland

I had a walk around Sumburgh Head. Started from Sumburgh Hotel, after that passed through Grutness, after that continued along the cliffs to the Compass Head, from there the slithers and the Sumburgh Head itself. From the lighthouse there walked back to the hotel along the West coast. The whole exercise shouldn't take more then 3 hours, even with breaks and taking pictures. The distance is around 6 km, nothing steep or difficult, so I'd recommend this route for virtually everybody.

See this link for more information about the route.

Grey Seals near Scousburgh Sands (Sppigie Beach), Shetland

I had the luck to see and film this colony of Grey Seals near Scousburgh Sands (Sppigie Beach), Shetland.

There are a lot of seals around Shetland, but this place seems to be especially easy to access and as a bonus even if the seals are not there the area is very picturesque and nice. This as far as I understand were Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus), which are a bit bigger then the Common Seals and have more "bull terrier" - like profile. Sadly they were too timid to let me get closer to them, which may be legacy from the times when they were hunted.

Opposite to Scousburgh Sands (Sppigie Beach) beach

These Grey Seals were lying on the Sppigie Beach

Another group of seals on the other end of the beach, Scousburgh Sands

Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) on Scousburgh Sands (Sppigie Beach), Shetland

One of the Grey Seals is getting curious

Return to Shetland with the ferry (Aberdeen - Lerwick)

A bit from the inside of the ferry.

Travel with the ferry from Lerwick, Shetland to Aberdeen

This is footage from my travel with the ferry from Lerwick, Shetland to Aberdeen, on my way from Shetland to Portugal.

The travel from Sumburgh, Shetland to Faro, Portugal is kind of interesting experience. One has to get first bus from Sumburgh Airport to the Capital of Shetland, Lerwick. From there the next step is to get the ferryboat to Aberdeen, Scotland in the evening, with which follows 12-13 hours sailing and costs £35 without any additional luxuries as cabin or anything. After that there is a bit of flying, which I'll cover in the next entries.

Short walk in the centre of Lerwick, Shetland before boarding the ferry

Short walk in the centre of Lerwick, Shetland before boarding the ferry to Aberdeen from where I'll go to London and further.

Visit to the Grutness' surroundings and back to Sumburgh Hotel

I just had a short walk around the village called Grutness at the most southern parts of the Shetland Islands.

Old Scatness village, Shetland

This is the Old Scatness village, Shetland, which are found next to the Betty Mouat's Böd. It consisting of mediaeval, Viking, Pictish, and Iron Age remains. It has been a settlement for thousands of years, each new generation adding buildings, and leveling off old ones.

St Ninian's Isle tombolo, Shetland

Visit to St Ninian's Isle, which is a small tied island connected by the largest tombolo in the UK. It's found in south part of Shetland and is known locally as an ayre, old Norse word meaning "gravel bank"

With kayak around Sumburgh Head, Shetland

Getting the gear out

Departing in the open sea (here it counts as Atlaantic Ocean)

Start of one beautiful day

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

My mates checking crab trap

Having a sip of Buckfast

It looks like the face of sunken stone giant watching us

Navigating between the rocks around Sumburgh Head

There were caves along to route

From time to time the water around me was boiling with jumping fish. What was chasing them?

Getting out of narrow passage

This picture was taken by one of my mates who managed to enter in some of the caves. Pretty great experience.

Kayaking around Sumburgh Head

Kayaking between the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea around Sumburgh Head, Shetland. For first time in my life I am in kayak and the video clips are made with Samsung S4.

Visiting Spiggie Beach, Shetland in search for seals

Spiggie Beach was a place recommended to me for seals seeing and there really were a few of them. Shetland is a place were one can see seals nearly everywhere, but somehow my few first days i couldn't spot any. It may have been the weather or something else but I didn't have any luck.

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus), one of the smallest birds living in Europe which luckily I spotted on side of the road.

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus regulus)

Goldcrest (R. regulus)

Sturnus vulgaris zetlandicus - Shetland Starling

The Shetland starling (Sturnus vulgaris zetlandicus) is a subspecies of the Common Starling, which lives on the Shetland islands. The difference is that it is slightly darker and bigger then the continental subspecies.

It doesn't look darker on the photo but all of them were like that, so I assume that this is how one of them should look.

Sturnus vulgaris zetlandicus

Shetland Starling

Shetland Starling on Shetland sheep

Sailing boats in Lerwick, Shetland

Spotted a sailing boat in Lerwick, Shetland. Next to her was another viking-styled one, which looks like the ones used in the January's celebration.

Visit to the Grutness' beach

This is the other beach opposite to the one from yesterday and this is technically facing the North Sea, which is interesting because the other is few hundred metres away and faces the Atlantic Ocean.

Shetland ponies

I spotted couple of the semi-legendary Shetland ponies. These animals are somewhat strange by the horse's standards, but nonetheless very cute and interesting. I'd get myself one if opportunity arises.

Waking up in Sumburgh surrounded by sheeps

So happened that we woke up with sheeps all around :)