Our Dog Bracken Has a Few Words to Say


Hi pawtners ....

I’m a mischievous, travelholic golden retriever with a passion for being immersed in sand, sea and mud - and the odd cow pat.

I’m in canine heaven exploring new smells and scenery on our motorhome adventures.

Normally a placid pawsonality - my pawtience was tested en route to the Shetland Islands when cheeky canines commandeered my kennel on the ferry! Imagine howling gales as I recall this pawticular travel tail.

Most northerly point in the UK - Unst, The Shetland IslesPaw-dropping: Unst, the UK's most northerly point.

In our quest to explaw the most remote and fascinating places - especially in the current climate - the excitement was palpable as we boarded the overnight ferry to the Shetland Islands.
However the hoomans were pawplexed - and I was very indognant - on seeing two spaniels snugly ensconced in the kennel reserved for me!
High seas drama and a bit of a palaver as North Link Ferries sorted it out. I calmed down and counted sheep to get to sleep in my rightful bed.

Lerwick terminalFabuwoof: arriving at Lerwick.

Situated between Norway and mainland Scotland, the Shetland Islands are applawded as among Europe’s top destinations. They also have delicipaws award-winning fish and chips at Frankies in Brae. Sharon always gives me her batter and half her chips but Steve never falls for my doleful eye pawformance. He should do before he starts getting pawky!

Yell the Shetlands a breath-taking beauty of a beachBreathtaking beauty: Shetland Islands.

Further North of the mainland is the island of Yell where we saw a pawgeous Shetland pony. Owned and cared for by local crofters, they originated in the Shetland Isles in the Bronze Age and have stayed there ever since.

The Shetland's own pony on Yell. The Shetland ponyPawsomely intelligent: Shetland ponies.

With a population of less than 1,000 people, Yell is an oasis of peace, wildlife and wild flowers where the main occupations are farming, fishing and fish farming.
We saw just three people during our stay but missed seeing the otters who had feasted on crab and left the shells littered by the shore line after their gipawmous feast!

Pause to take in the beauty of Yell in the ShetlandsPaws to reflect on the beauty.

The islands have a strong Viking heritage which is appawent on the Isle of Unst where we explawed the reconstruction of a Viking longhouse. The remains of 60 longhouses can be found on Unst - more than in Scandinavia.

 Brackenstraveltails sees a strong Viking heritage on the Isle of Unst in  The ShetlandsFascinating Viking heritage.

Unst is Britain’s most northerly inhabited island - if you go any further you’d be in Norway. Our highlight was walking to the Hermaness National Nature Reserve at the furthermost point which is managed by Scottish Heritage.

Hermaness Nature Reserve with birds galore at the northern point of the UK in Unst, in The Shetland Isles Hermaness Nature Reserve.
The reserve - a dramatic cliff-top - is a haven for over 100,000 birds in breeding season including gulls, shags, gannets, puffins and kittiwakes.

Northern Gannet Chicks nestling on the rocks at the Hermaness Nature Reserve, Unst, The Shetland IslesNew life: Northern Gannet Chicks..

The noise was deafening and I watched the gipawmous number of them in amazement.

Thousands of Gannets at the Hernaness Nature Reserve, Unst, The Sheland Isles Bird’s eye view.

Designated as a national nature reserve (NNR) in 1985, it spans over 2,380 acres and takes in all the Hemaness peninsular.

The Northern Gannet. hovers over the cliffs at The Hermaness Nature Reserve, Unst, The Shetland IslesOne of the many birds: The Northern Gannet.

Abspawlutely mesmerised at the sights and sounds I sat with Sharon while Steve took lots of photographs for pawsperity.

Brackenstraveltails rests during an Extraordinary day in UnstExtrapawdinary day in Unst

As I put my kennel glitch into pawspective, I reflected on how my Shetland Islands adventure had far surpawsed my expawtations.

Stay safe my furiends.

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