04/11/2023 - After sunset visit to Geallaig Hill. This a fine hill with a good loop from Glen Gairn. We reached the top at pretty much sunset. Misty and a cold wind. We sat by the cairn, had our tea and waited for the dark. A few stars on the way back down but the mist and clouds didn't clear much. It was a chilly visit but just what we needed.
The nice cairn on the top of Geallaig Hill. I'd forgotten how big the footprint was. Looks prehistory to me. There's over 14 hut circles and a field system at the bottom of the hill. Could the people who lived there have built this cairn back in the Bronze age?
01/07/2023 - Our run of good weather came to an end. Today it chucked it down for most of the day. We headed north to Eshaness to try and dodge the rain but it found us in the end. Whilst there me and Mrs T made a quick dash up and down Sae Breck in the rain to have a look for the broch. There was not much to see (or we just missed it). Still nice views of the surrounding landscape and a bonus trigpoint.
30/06/2023 - A boat trip to Mousa. 9 years since my last visit, 25 years for my dad. We were both happy to be back. I'd rushed it a bit last time, nervous about missing the boat back (didn't need to be as you get plenty of time). It was great to get a chance to visit again, enjoyed it more. My dad made it to the broch and back too, which was pretty ace as his knees ain't great nowadays. On the way back to the boat we were lucky to hear Storm petrels calling from the old stone walls nearby which was proper magic. Top day out with my dad, I'd not seen him for ages as we don't live near to each other. Just great that he made the trip up. Mousa is a special place.
29/06/2023 - Heading back to Sumburgh in the afternoon we stopped by the Pool of Virkie, a tidal area good for birds. At the entrance are the remains of a broch and settlement.
Canmore has an old entry stating - 'the broch may have given a name to the Pool, for ‘Virkie’ is derived from a Scandinavian word for a fort.'
The broch is mostly destroyed by erosion. Walls can still be seen though. There looks to be the remains of outer buildings too. Maybe a large settlement like at nearby Old Scatness.
Easy access with good parking at the harbour and then just a short walk to the broch.
26/06/2023 - Last cairn for us on a cairn filled walk to Crussa Field. Nice position with lovely views of north Unst and the sea. We sat and had a brew. Tired but it had been a good day.
26/06/2023 - I have no idea what's going on with this! Reading Canmore didn't help at all. Most of the stones have been displaced. The north side ones thrown down the hillside. Cairn is supposed to be at the summit but what's that hole next to the top? Bit of a head scratcher but nice views from it.