The Robertson’s

Thirty years ago Dave worked on the tug boats at Sullom Voe and owned a small fishing boat. He had taught himself to dive and was delighted to take the ‘Lufbra’ divers out on his boat for some of the most memorable diving we have ever done.

Today Dave and Beattie live in an old family home at Gossabrough. They have extended and partly restored the house so that parts are almost as they might have been 100 years ago. Thirty years of catching up took place in their front room with oil lamps burning and the peat fire roaring.

The next day we explored the croft and surrounding shoreline before being treated to breakfast Beattie style – freshly baked bannocks, Shetland smoked salmon, mackerel and haddock – all in front of the peat fired stove where Mam’s shoes had been put to dry out after the walk.

No trip to Shetland would be complete without seeing ponies. Dave and Beattie have three. Two considered coming with us.

The Herra

More trips down memory lane as we returned to the Herra Hall where we had lived for a month many summers ago. Whale Firth now supports muscle farms and the old pier has a modern jetty. A number of new buildings have appeared but the haunted ‘Windhouse’ is still deserted.

North Yell – Breckon Sands

After visiting the beautiful Breckan Sands beach we returned to Gossabrough and yet more of the legendary Robertson hospitality. This night we all enjoyed singing along to an eclectic collection of tunes from the past with Dave playing piano accordion, Beattie on keyboard and everyone else out of tune. The sky was still light as we went to bed at 1am.