I can't get over what a wonderful inter island ferry service Shetland has. Ferries to the northern islands are free, and the rest are ridiculously subsidised. They can be booked at any time of day or night. We'd booked a regular sailing which only took place if a booking existed, and at 10 am departed from Vidlin for the hour and a quarter journey to the Skerries. For the boat with a crew of 4 making an out and back journey to deposit us on the island, plus one car, they asked for the grand total of £6.10. Fortunately the oil reserve fund makes good the massive overspend Shetland Islands Council accumulates every year.
The day was cold, blustery and it rained most of the day. We were glad of the shelter of the car during the worst of it. Out Skerries has 89 inhabitants and their main industry on the island is salmon and clam farming. There are two shops. They have no need for a resident policeman - there is no crime in Out Skerries.
The residents have made a rainwater channel down the highest hill, which collects rainwater at the bottom. We saw some gorgeous Shetland ponies and had a general look round. Right on time, our ferry came to collect us at half past three. By then the light was going and it was very cold and wet. We gratefully went inside the warm saloon (any ferry journey lasting longer than 30 minutes by law means passengers cannot remain in their cars, which are lashed to the car deck), and I settled down with a cup of subsidised soup. The long seats are soft and comfortable, with cushions, and there is a DVD player which you can either watch your own DVD's on or choose one from the selection. By now the sea was very rough and the boat was pitching and rolling quite a bit. Anne went up on deck to make sure it didn't roll over too far, while I found the movement very soporific and was soon sound asleep for the best part of the journey. In the evening we had an enjoyable meal with Ruby (Ivor's sister) at her house.
