After breakfast, we were taken to the Isle of Burra for the day. We were split into two groups — in the morning, one group took a silver button making workshop while the other group went on a circular hike. Then the groups switched and did the opposite activity for the afternoon. I was in the group that hiked first.
We arrived at a very small little community center for the button class, and while we were standing outside deciding who would be in which group, someone noticed an otter a little way down the road. We were always excited when we saw wildlife (you’d think we’d never seen animals LOL) so a few of us ran down the road to get a closer look. It turned out to be an otter who had just caught his seagull lunch. (Skip the next bit if you’re squeamish!) I felt like we were up close and personal watching an episode of Marlin Perkins’ Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. We watched for awhile as the otter walked down and then back across the road, with the seagull who was struggling the whole time. We finally had to get back to the group and we left just as the otter was entering the water, presumably to drown his catch and get on with his lunch. Happily, we didn’t see that part ;-(.
We finished dividing into groups and my group left to hike through some stunning scenery. It was very windy (which appeared to be the norm on Shetland ;-D), but otherwise a nice day. We saw lots of sheep and beautiful, ruined croft houses.
See this island/rock below? The pictures after this first picture are shot sort of looking down onto that rock from the point to the far left in this first picture. If you look closely at the second and third pictures, you’ll see some white spots in the middle of the grass. They’re sheep and we had an interesting discussion about how those sheep got up on that rock. I think they told us that the shepherd takes them to the rock and leaves them there to graze for a month or two — it’s a means of separating the rams from a fertile herd of ewes.
I loved this hike — it was so beautiful being surrounded by all the sheep and with the sea just a leap over a cliff LOL.
Here’s a different style stile (haha) from what we’d seen the day before.
![Thimbleanna: Shetland](../"../../images/2018/Travel/Shetland103.jpg" "Thimbleanna: Shetland")
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On the way back, we climbed the rocks down to the beach. It was beautiful — but much too cold to venture in! The afternoon group saw a seal swimming in this water.
We walked along the beach until we got to this path, then climbed the hill to return to the community center.
This little courtyard is part of the community center. We sat against the buildings on the concrete, sheltered from the wind, and enjoyed a picnic lunch that Pierre had packed for us earlier that morning. Such charming little buildings — what’s not to love about daisies growing on your roof?
After lunch, our group went inside and learned how to make silver fair isle buttons. It was a really fun workshop — lots of work and very interesting. I don’t think I’ll be taking it up as a new hobby, but I sure enjoyed it!
The workshop was taught by Mike from Red Houss Shetland and after the other group returned from their hike, we all boarded the bus and went to the Red Houss workshop to do a little shopping. If you click the link, you’ll see some beautiful jewelry! I purchased a pretty fair isle ring and was wishing I’d bought more.
While we waited for everyone to finish shopping, we visited with the Shetland ponies outside the workshop.
After our visit to Red Houss Shetland, we drove for what seemed like about an hour, back to Burrastow House and another wonderful dinner. On the menu tonight: Butternut Risotto, Halibut with Cream Sauce, Parslied Potatoes, Grilled Zucchini, Carrots, Spinach and Celery Root Fans and a flourless Chocolate Cake for dessert. All with a little knitting after dinner to cap off a perfect day!