Despite all the weather reports, we keep cheating the rain and wind. This morning, we awoke to beautiful sunshine and clear blue skies. With the sun on our side, we went ashore to one of the most beautiful islands in Shetland, Foula. We were met by local guides and set off to discover the beauty and wonders that the tiny little island has to offer. As soon as we set foot on the dock, we were welcomed by fulmars nesting on rock cliffs, seals hauled out on the water, and a close encounter with some Shetland ponies. What a pleasure to be here. After lunch and relocation of the ship, we again went ashore on the island of Mousa. Here we visited the best remaining example of an Iron Age round tower (a Broch) in the world and one of the oldest buildings in Britain. It was awe-inspiring.
6/30/2024
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Aberdeen, North Sea, and Bass Rock
Calm seas and gray skies accompanied us into Aberdeen Harbor. Along the way, the bridge over the River Don could be clearly seen and on either side, the lovely sandy beaches so characteristic of the coastline here. Today there were three options for us which included a visit to the beautiful Pitmedden Gardens with their lovely expansive flower beds laden with lots of vivid colors, a chance to visit the Aberdeenshire Highland Beef Farm where we were treated to the sights of sheep, Highland cattle (including the Duchess), and draught horses, and a visit to the Gordon Highlanders Museum. This regiment was founded a long time ago and they have been awarded more Victoria Crosses than any other regiment in the United Kingdom. We also saw a reconstructed First World War trench where it was quickly evident what hell trench warfare was and continues to be. During lunch, we set sail for our last port of call, Edinburgh. The seas were very kind to us and along the way we passed some large offshore windfarms. The icing on the cake on this last day was the circumnavigation of Bass Rock, home to a huge Northern gannet colony.
