Suggested by
Tracey Brown
Getting to "The Edge of the World"
Foula (Hirta)
Getting there:
This tiny remote island - 3 miles by 5 miles - with five high
peaks is an "Edge of the World" place.
(Yes, we know! - Tracey)
Called the "Island West of the Sun", Foula may have been
the Romans' legendary Thule. In local dialect, Foula means
"bird island", and the name fits. Uncountable numbers of
birds haunt the isle and its towering sea cliffs, including the
second-high-test cliff face in Britain, the Kame at 1,220 feet.
The high-test peak, however, is the Sneug, at 1,370 feet. On
the island you'll hear many stories about the rock-climbing
prowess of locals who go in search of gulls' eggs, facing
dangerous falls.
(They must not have seen EOTW then! - Tracey)
The island lies 27 miles west of Scalloway on the west coast
of Mainland. Until the beginning of the 19th century Old
Norse was the language spoken here. The island's 400
people remain very traditional and count yourself lucky if
you get to see them dance the Foula reel, considered a
classic dance in Shetland.
If the weather is right, a weekly mailboat sails to Foula from
Walls on Mainland. Even in summer the seas are likely to be
turbulent and in winter Foulas has been known to be cut off
from the rest of Britain for weeks. (As MP & crew could
attest!) The trip takes 2 ½ hours. Loganair also operates a
summer service from Tingwall on Monday, Wednesday and
Friday (trip time: 15 minutes).
Where to stay and eat
Mrs. Marion Taylor, Leraback, Isle of Foula, Shetland (Tel.
03933/3226) 3 rooms (none with bath), 2 cottages (both with
bath). Rates: (including Scottish breakfast and dinner) £20
single, £40 double.
Back to index
