After being woken at 6:30, we prepared to leave the ferry and went directly to the Islesburgh hostel, run by the Shetland Council and only £52 for a private 4-bunk room, about the same price as dorm bunks in the SYHA hostel. It comprises a beautifully kept old house with a well equipped kitchen and bike shed. In contrast to the SYHA, internet access is free, a superb hostel all round. We were allowed to leave our bags in the room and use the kitchen so we popped out for breakfast provisions. We spent much of the morning booking accommodation for the rest of our holiday and then treated ourselves to some gorgeously rich chocolate cheesecake at Peedie’s cafe.
Lerwick is the capital of the Shetlands with a population of 7,000 and its maritime dependence is everywhere in evidence. We walked around the coast to the Knab, during which the mist lifted to reveal warm sunshine as we watched gannets diving off the coast as well as terns and fulmars.