📖 Shetland 2025

This will be my fifth consecutive October in Shetland, and if I go, it's likely to be a different experience than in the past. As my reader may know, I have been struggling with issues in my left ankle for some time. After numerous doctor's appointments, X-rays, and various blood tests without a clear diagnosis, I faced long waits with the Scottish NHS for further consultation. Eventually, I decided to go private and paid for both a consultation and an MRI scan out of my own pocket. It turns out that I've been walking around all this time with a stress fracture! Honestly, it came as no surprise!

In the past few weeks, I have been using a non-weight-bearing boot and ankle strap while mostly staying at home, and I have already noticed significant improvement. Then, to consider whether to cancel my trip to Shetland or take the risk. After discussing it with Dazza, we came up with a plan. I drive an automatic car at home, and rent a similar one while in Shetland, so driving won't be an issue. The main change involves deciding which birds to observe and the walking needed to find them. With caution in mind, I chose to go out; in fact, I'm already here, but it wasn't without its challenges.

I was scheduled to fly today, Saturday, October 4th, but with Storm Amy approaching, I was hopeful that Loganair would offer me the opportunity to change my flight to yesterday morning, Friday, at no extra cost. Given the circumstances, that was an obvious choice, and my flight arrived on time. As I write from my hotel room, the wind is howling, the rain is pouring, and all ferries to and from Shetland, including all flights to the island, have been cancelled until Sunday. It was a no-brainer!

I'm even considering that it's fate that brought me here. My very first bird sighting on this year's visit was a Siberian Thrush at the Loch of Asta—a lifer for me! I spent an hour watching the elder tree where this elusive bird likes to feed. Although I only saw it for about 45 seconds, it was a stunning sight, and I had a great view. Even better, it was just below where I parked. 

Let’s see how things go over the next week. You never know what this storm may drop in, and as always, Dazza will be joining me from Wednesday on.