‘Dr Darcy's Day off' – a light hearted, fictionalised taste of life on the Westside of Shetland
It's a beautiful, bright, crisp spring day, one of these that you only seem to find in Shetland, I've just left the Bonhoga Gallery where I met up with a friend to see the latest art exhibition and am heading up the steep Scord of Weisdale; when I begin my descent I can see spread out panoramically, the start of the area on the Westside for which I am one of the local GP's.
'Who said there were no trees on Shetland?' I think to myself as I turn left in to Sandsound, the wild flowers are just coming in to bloom on the verges and I know that there is a spectacular bunch of primroses, or 'May Flooers' as they are known locally just a bit further along. I admire the stunning view looking out the Voe at the end of the road then turn and carry on my journey.
As I drive through Tresta I see the sign indicating 'Parking for Marion's 50th' and I smile to myself at the memory of a lovely evening spent at this birthday party where it seemed that the whole community had been invited; then more road signs, this time promoting the Music Night in the Bixter Hall; this local hall, like all the others on the Westside is used for such a diverse range of pursuits including a Chinese Takeaway (which provided a delicious meal for me and my friends at the weekend). I make a mental note to remember that I had agreed to do a talk for the local WRI group in this same hall in a few weeks time.
I slow down as I approach Bixter, passing the recently re-furbished Council Houses and the Hall. Bixter is something of a meeting place on the Westside; the purpose built Health Centre with it's wide catchment area bringing people from outlying areas in to the village. I stop at the Bixter shop and get a warm greeting from Margaret, you really can buy just about anything here - from a wedding card to a welding rod! I buy some local shetland milk and butter, some gluten free goods from the wide selection on offer and leave with a bag of logs for my woodburning stove.
I'm just passing the employee owned Shetland Vet's when I remember that I forgot to post my letters at the Post Office in the shop - never mind, it's a beautiful day and I'm not working so I'll take a trip in to the neighboring village of Aith and do it at the Community Co-op. I climb the Bixter Brae and come upon the sign for 'Twatt' (I have to admit I bought a t-shirt with this road sign on it to send to my brother at Christmas); at the end of this road lies Clousta, a picturesque little cluster of houses which also come under my remit.
But today I am going to Aith, so I carry on down the recently widened road until I reach Michael's Wood where Ray Ferrie stops me to ask if I got my free copy of the Westside News (great for keeping up with local goings on). Ray & his wife Betty, started Michael's Wood in memory of their son and it really is amazing; every kind of tree you could imagine flourishing right here in Shetland thanks to their hard work and dedication; the plantation is a favourite with people of all ages but especially with children.
I head down to the Marina and Lifeboat Station (you are never far from the sea in Shetland); I saw two of the Henry brothers who worked on the Lifeboat on BBC2 the other night speaking about their experiences - such selfless bravery. I about turn and pass the Swimming Pool & Leisure Centre (must remember to get that gym membership), then the Junior High School and the Aith hall where I've enjoyed many a delicious Sunday Teas, and I'm at the Co-op where I leave with a melon - and my letters, still not posted!
The sun is shining now as I drive past the Nursery School, hearing the 'skirls' of the bairns outside; past the beautiful big Church of Scotland where I attended a Christening the other week and the Auld Skule Charity Shop (got an amazing Boden jacket in there once). I decide to carry on to East Burrafirth, I reach the gathering of cars at the beautiful waterfall known as the 'Burn of Lunklet' and consider a trip through the 'Alps' (try that journey in winter & you will see how it got its’ name!); but maybe not today - I turn and head back but am unable to resist a stop at the Cake Fridge (officially 'Haycroft Produce') but known to everyone as 'Lynn o' Roadside's' - boy does Lynn make a mean cupcake!
I really am thoroughly enjoying this drive, taking time out to appreciate the wildlife, the lambs, the Shetland ponies and the sheer variety of birds swooping overhead. I give a 'toot' to the Mansons out looking to their sheep; like a lot of people in Shetland they tend a small croft along with their day jobs. Soon I reach Parkhall, a dilapidated architectural gem which once housed the doctor's Surgery; I turn left here and head toward Reawick & Skeld and some of the most stunning scenery on the Westside.
I can’t resist a detour in to Sand just to see the trees at the Sand Gairdins, another amazing plantation established by Ruby and her late husband, Alan; I wave to Ruby but she is busy in her red boilersuit, pushing a wheel barrow and she doesn't see me. A bit further on I meet Paula walking her dogs, Paula and her husband Guy have been here a lot of years now, she has a very successful Personal Training business which I fully intend to make use of - some day! I drive past the sparkling white sands of the Sand beach and the imposing 'Haa' and soon I am back on the main road.
The roads aren't very wide here so I have to make a few 'draw off's' to allow cars to pass; everyone acknowledges this with a wave and a smile as is the custom in Shetland. I come to the Red Ayre, a favourite of mine, a beautiful little beach with the redest sand then do the 'loop' around Reawick passing yet another stunning deserted beach and the lovely old Congregational Church and soon I am looking down at the village of Skeld. With it's extensive waterfront, marina, Boating Club and campsite.
Skeld is always a popular place whatever the time of year but especially during the annual Regatta in August when it is positively heaving with people enjoying themselves and having a good time. I take a detour past the Primary School and through Westerskeld but resist heading out to Culswick & Westerwick as the scenery and history here really do deserve the time to be appreciated properly. I continue until I am back at the Skeld Hall just in time to get a bit of lunch at the weekly cafe which is run by volunteers every Wednesday. I remember that I never did post these letters but luckily there is a pop up Post Office in the hall so I purchase my stamps there before heading in to the noise and the laughter that is the local community coming together - yet again.
It's a beautiful, bright, crisp spring day, one of these that you only seem to find in Shetland, I've just left the Bonhoga Gallery where I met up with a friend to see the latest art exhibition and am heading up the steep Scord of Weisdale; when I begin my descent I can see spread out panoramically, the start of the area on the Westside for which I am one of the local GP's.
'Who said there were no trees on Shetland?' I think to myself as I turn left in to Sandsound, the wild flowers are just coming in to bloom on the verges and I know that there is a spectacular bunch of primroses, or 'May Flooers' as they are known locally just a bit further along. I admire the stunning view looking out the Voe at the end of the road then turn and carry on my journey.
As I drive through Tresta I see the sign indicating 'Parking for Marion's 50th' and I smile to myself at the memory of a lovely evening spent at this birthday party where it seemed that the whole community had been invited; then more road signs, this time promoting the Music Night in the Bixter Hall; this local hall, like all the others on the Westside is used for such a diverse range of pursuits including a Chinese Takeaway (which provided a delicious meal for me and my friends at the weekend). I make a mental note to remember that I had agreed to do a talk for the local WRI group in this same hall in a few weeks time.
I slow down as I approach Bixter, passing the recently re-furbished Council Houses and the Hall. Bixter is something of a meeting place on the Westside; the purpose built Health Centre with it's wide catchment area bringing people from outlying areas in to the village. I stop at the Bixter shop and get a warm greeting from Margaret, you really can buy just about anything here - from a wedding card to a welding rod! I buy some local shetland milk and butter, some gluten free goods from the wide selection on offer and leave with a bag of logs for my woodburning stove.
I'm just passing the employee owned Shetland Vet's when I remember that I forgot to post my letters at the Post Office in the shop - never mind, it's a beautiful day and I'm not working so I'll take a trip in to the neighboring village of Aith and do it at the Community Co-op. I climb the Bixter Brae and come upon the sign for 'Twatt' (I have to admit I bought a t-shirt with this road sign on it to send to my brother at Christmas); at the end of this road lies Clousta, a picturesque little cluster of houses which also come under my remit.
But today I am going to Aith, so I carry on down the recently widened road until I reach Michael's Wood where Ray Ferrie stops me to ask if I got my free copy of the Westside News (great for keeping up with local goings on). Ray & his wife Betty, started Michael's Wood in memory of their son and it really is amazing; every kind of tree you could imagine flourishing right here in Shetland thanks to their hard work and dedication; the plantation is a favourite with people of all ages but especially with children.
I head down to the Marina and Lifeboat Station (you are never far from the sea in Shetland); I saw two of the Henry brothers who worked on the Lifeboat on BBC2 the other night speaking about their experiences - such selfless bravery. I about turn and pass the Swimming Pool & Leisure Centre (must remember to get that gym membership), then the Junior High School and the Aith hall where I've enjoyed many a delicious Sunday Teas, and I'm at the Co-op where I leave with a melon - and my letters, still not posted!
The sun is shining now as I drive past the Nursery School, hearing the 'skirls' of the bairns outside; past the beautiful big Church of Scotland where I attended a Christening the other week and the Auld Skule Charity Shop (got an amazing Boden jacket in there once). I decide to carry on to East Burrafirth, I reach the gathering of cars at the beautiful waterfall known as the 'Burn of Lunklet' and consider a trip through the 'Alps' (try that journey in winter & you will see how it got its’ name!); but maybe not today - I turn and head back but am unable to resist a stop at the Cake Fridge (officially 'Haycroft Produce') but known to everyone as 'Lynn o' Roadside's' - boy does Lynn make a mean cupcake!
I really am thoroughly enjoying this drive, taking time out to appreciate the wildlife, the lambs, the Shetland ponies and the sheer variety of birds swooping overhead. I give a 'toot' to the Mansons out looking to their sheep; like a lot of people in Shetland they tend a small croft along with their day jobs. Soon I reach Parkhall, a dilapidated architectural gem which once housed the doctor's Surgery; I turn left here and head toward Reawick & Skeld and some of the most stunning scenery on the Westside.
I can’t resist a detour in to Sand just to see the trees at the Sand Gairdins, another amazing plantation established by Ruby and her late husband, Alan; I wave to Ruby but she is busy in her red boilersuit, pushing a wheel barrow and she doesn't see me. A bit further on I meet Paula walking her dogs, Paula and her husband Guy have been here a lot of years now, she has a very successful Personal Training business which I fully intend to make use of - some day! I drive past the sparkling white sands of the Sand beach and the imposing 'Haa' and soon I am back on the main road.
The roads aren't very wide here so I have to make a few 'draw off's' to allow cars to pass; everyone acknowledges this with a wave and a smile as is the custom in Shetland. I come to the Red Ayre, a favourite of mine, a beautiful little beach with the redest sand then do the 'loop' around Reawick passing yet another stunning deserted beach and the lovely old Congregational Church and soon I am looking down at the village of Skeld. With it's extensive waterfront, marina, Boating Club and campsite.
Skeld is always a popular place whatever the time of year but especially during the annual Regatta in August when it is positively heaving with people enjoying themselves and having a good time. I take a detour past the Primary School and through Westerskeld but resist heading out to Culswick & Westerwick as the scenery and history here really do deserve the time to be appreciated properly. I continue until I am back at the Skeld Hall just in time to get a bit of lunch at the weekly cafe which is run by volunteers every Wednesday. I remember that I never did post these letters but luckily there is a pop up Post Office in the hall so I purchase my stamps there before heading in to the noise and the laughter that is the local community coming together - yet again.