Staying safe outdoors in Shetland

Passage down to the shore can often be dangerous. Photo Terri Leask.

Today I took my second dip of the year in the sea; this time it was the North Atlantic (rather than the North Sea) – and this time it was unscheduled.

Shetland’s eastern seaboard is flanked by the North Sea – a marginal sea of the North Atlantic stretching across to the mainland of northwestern Europe – on the west side, our 'wild' frontier plays host to the full force of the powerful North Atlantic, bringing storms, ravaging waves and an abundance of seabirds and mammals. With nothing between us and North America the waves which assault the western coastal fringes have had thousands of miles at sea to grow before expelling their mighty energy on our shores.
Both the Atlantic and the North Sea meet with a rip-roaring clash of personalities at the southernmost and northernmost tips of Shetland – Sumburgh Head and Muckle Flugga.

The North Sea on a stormy day.

Shetland's west coast, exposed to the full force of the Atlantic.

The sea has provided so much for the isles over the years with fishing, aquaculture, oil and of course – pleasure. It’s said that Shetlanders have saat in da blood. And this was no exception today as I felt the full force of the cold salt water as it seeped into my knickers.
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen the videos in my stories (which I will highlight in ‘Stormy Shetland’).
While out taking photos and videos I was swept off my feet by an incoming 'rogue' wave, and I captured the whole sorry episode on my iPhone. I shouldn't have been so close to the edge and I shouldn't have been glued to my phone.

The moment I plunged into the icy Atlantic captured on camera...

Bannamin beach in Burra where I fell in the sea.

So, I am writing this post to act as a reminder – and a warning – to both visitors, and locals alike to take care when out and about in Shetland. As someone who grew up here I should firstly know better, and secondly, I have probably become complacent to the power of nature.

So here are a few pointers (plucked from my boring risk assessment on coastal walking) to bear in mind when you visit:

• Respect – always respect the landscape, you have the right to roam but please keep dogs on leads and always leave gates as you found them.
• Be aware of livestock kept in parks and fields, pass through with care – especially during the lambing time.
  
  

Meal Beach, Burra.

• Always take your rubbish away with you and take only photographs.
  
• We are very proud of our islands and keeping them clean.
  

A steep path and rocky climb to get down to this beach.

• Keep away from cliff edges; these may be slippery when wet or there may be dangerous overhangs which could collapse.
  
• Paths down to the beach may look tempting but stones may be loose and dangerous so take extra special care and if in doubt – don’t go there.
  

• Don’t take selfies on cliff edges and never walk backwards near a cliff.
  
• Be aware of strong winds, these could take you off your feet, and they may blow offshore or blow in off the cliffs and create dangerous gusts at the edge.
  

The stunning cliffs at Eshaness. As tempting as it may seem, please stay back from the edge.

• Always take a mobile phone and tell people where you are going and when to expect you back.
  
• Be aware of nesting seabirds, particularly colonies of Great Skuas and Arctic Terns which will dive bomb to protect their young.
  
  

And an additional one (added today!):

• Be aware of rogue waves on stormy days! Waves come in sets so there may be a succession of smaller waves and then a bigger one – like the one which knocked me off my feet!
  
  

Bannamin beach, Burra in stormy weather.

At the start, I said that this was my second dip in the sea this year. The first swim was a planned snorkel in the North Sea, and I had on a wetsuit. I wrote about this for the magazine I edit which will be published in April. The magazine – Shetland Life – can be subscribed to here. Or if you’re interested in only one copy, let me know and we can arrange that.

So please –  go and explore – we have no restrictions on where people can go, all that we ask is that you do it safely.

So stay safe and enjoy your trip – your Shetland adventure awaits.

With love,

Laurie x