Shetland

Our original plan was to visit Shetland separately via train and Ferry. So It was quite a last minute decision to include visits to the two Lifeboat Stations on Shetland on this trip. Thanks to a reasonably successful attempt to get Helen on an aircraft a few weeks earlier in Cornwall, it seemed sensible to try again and add an additional day to the trip to visit the most northerly RNLI Stations.

We stayed overnight near Aberdeen airport and with a 5am alarm, took the first flight of the day up to Sumburgh. I am so proud of Helen for successfully getting on the flight with just a little anxiety. We hired a small car on the Island and headed north to Lerwick. On the way we just had to stop at the 60 degree north roadside post to take a photo. It is the furthest North either of us has visited. Arriving at Lerwick we found a lovely café across from the harbour and enjoyed a delicious breakfast.

Lerwick Lifeboat Station

We headed over to the Lifeboat Station which is in the renovated Old Tolbooth. Restored in 2004 it provides good quality crew accommodation and a shop. The station was opened in 1930 after a trawler and a steamer were both wrecked within a few weeks of each other.

We were met at the station by Coxwain, Stephen, Mechanic Paul, crew member Nathan and Press Officer Bob. We had a great chat with everyone about the station, the boats and the challenges faced in this exposed north sea location.

The station currently has a relief Severn Class, Fraser Flyer (17-17) whilst their own boat, Michael and Jane Vernon (17-10) undergoes a refit in Poole. 17-10 arrived on station in 1997 and was one of the first Severn’s to become operational.

Bob very kindly took some photos of us with the crew and the boat and also gave us a short guided tour of the main street area of Lerwick. Paul and Stephen also gave us some helpful tips on where to visit for the rest of the day on the island. Thank you for taking to the time to chat with us.

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Aith Lifeboat Station

The most northerly of the RNLI Stations is Aith Lifeboat Station. We were a little early arriving so we took one of Paul’s recommendations and visited the Original Cake Fridge for a delicious lunch.

Parking outside the station at the peaceful harbour area we made our way to the station. Unfortunately no one was available to meet us so we took the opportunity to take some photos of the station and the Severn Class boat moored along the jetty.

Aith Lifeboat station opened in 1933 following the loss of the Trawler, Ben Doran on the rocks of the Vee Skerries. The current station was built in 2003 with improved crew facilities and in 2022 a new pontoon was installed for improved access to the Severn. The current boat is Charles Lidbury (17-14) arriving on station in 1998.

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Following our visits we headed further north and toured the main island. On the way back south of Lerwick we spotted the Lerwick lifeboat making its way back to the station. We were heading to the beautiful location of St. Ninians. On arrival there was a lot of Police activity and we subsequently found out that the lifeboat had been called to assist with an elderly lady that had tragically fallen from the cliff.

We also took a bit of time to explore the spectacular Sumburgh Head, an RSPB reserve when we spotted puffin and many other sea birds.

Back to the airport for the last flight of the day back to Aberdeen and Helen felt a lot more relaxed on the return flight. A very long day and a good nights sleep in a comfortable bed was very welcome.

Our journey north continues up the Aberdeenshire coastline