Day 9 of our virtual island bagging journey
Today’s journey: high points of the islands of north Shetland & meeting Bryn
Today’s step-up height achieved: 1379 metres
Steeping out of the comfort of the Muckle Roe Chapel we knew we had a big day ahead of us to cover the remainder of the east and west coast of Mainland, along with its high point at Ronas Hill. That amounts to thirty three islands in total, which is probably a bit too many to mention – and most of them are uninhabited, except for their stunning wildlife. So today I’ll only mention a couple.
First up, Ronas Hill that rises as stony dome above the flat North Roe on Mainland Shetland. It was wild and windswept and the views over the wilderness Northmavine were incredible and we could see the tidal island of Uyea far to the north and the whole Esha Ness peninsula to the southwest. There was a stone-built trig point inside a shelter cairn and an ancient chambered cairn a little further on. Once back at sea level we headed, via the other islands, to Uyea a beautiful uninhabited, tidal island in Northmavine and crossed the sands to get there.
Tomorrow we are all looking forward to meeting a true Islandeer, Bryn who lives on Yell. Bryn is travelling a virtual 1679 miles around the outside edge of Shetland’s Coastline. He’s 14 years old with severe asthma and he’s currently shielding at home. He’s doing this distance in a wheelchair on exercise rollers. He’s a fellow Ordnance Survey GetOutside Champion and we feel very proud to be joining him.
Bryn is fundraising for Ability Shetland through his Justgiving page
Cumulative total of island bagging height – Cumulative total of 7656m (target total = 47,838 metres)
Method of travel – climbing a ladder up the apple tree in the garden; step ups on a Belfast sink; indoor staircase
