Isles and Trials

Author: willmeurer

Shetland

I took the overnight ferry to Shetland. I couldn’t convince any others in the family to join me. I originally thought I would bring my bike. There were marked bike routes. Then maybe I’d hire a bike. It was foggy and hilly when I got there. (It’s probably been hilly for some time.) So I aborted the bike idea (it would have taken me a LONG time to cover the 25 miles to Sumburgh to see the lighthouse.

I really thought the island would be a lot more deserted – but it was kind of bustling. (And there are only like 2 roads so that made things a bit more trafficky on those routes.)

Here is a video with a bunch of highlights.

May 14, 2025
Old Aberdeen

Well. I haven’t been super great about regularly posting – which means I could probably post things for years going forward. I do have some things to report about Isles and Trials too so stay tuned.

This is from University of Aberdeen’s website

“The most iconic of our buildings and located on the picturesque Old Aberdeen High Street, King’s College was built to house the University after it was founded by Bishop Elphinstone under a Papal Bull issued by Pope Alexander VI on 10 February 1495. Of the original College building, only the Chapel and the Ivy Tower, constructed in 1525 and now obscured by the college’s subsequent development, now remain, all other sides of the quad having been replaced over the following centuries. The college’s facade and main entrance arch, attached to the Chapel, date to 1825, while the Cromwell Tower behind the Chapel was built in 1658.”

May 13, 2025
Dolphins jumping

Went on a dolphin watching cruise in Aberdeen Harbour!

May 13, 2025
No clouds at all for our trip to #isleofskye last week. Our first real trip to a separate island from the mainland of Scotland/England/Wales. #scotland

View on Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DIecfuMu5eE/

April 15, 2025
Beautiful sunset on @lner (which didn’t have cleanest train windows) overlooking the River Tay near Dundee. By the time I had presence of mind to go up to the cleaner window at the door in the vestibule … the sun had passed under the hills.

View on Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DIBLh3qML7L/

April 4, 2025
It was cloudy and rainy all weekend. The sun came out a bit right before dusk yesterday. It illuminated a stained glass window in our bedroom – I hadn’t noticed before that these old white dudes had labels! Homer! #scotland #aberdeen #rubislaw

View on Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DHkmeE5swlH/

March 24, 2025
I just don’t know why I started giggling at “Butchery at Its Best.” Perhaps it’s because I’m at a garden store that also sells liquor and high heels named after an elf. Oh it has a restaurant as well. #scotland #dobbies

View on Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DHgRkEIMw5H/

March 22, 2025
While correlation does not equal causation – my impression is that a lot of people smoke here. And they put these scary pictures on each pack of cigarettes … So maybe the pictures are actually encouraging smoking? #scotland #uk

View on Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DHZgCBuM4ZP/

March 19, 2025
Nice view from an ancient stone circle. (A less ancient nuclear bunker can be seen in the foreground.) #scotland #aberdeenshire

View on Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DHW0zB1savO/

March 18, 2025
Both Google and Apple Maps thought I could drive another 2.7 miles along the loch to get closer to the Falls of Glas Alt. Well. No. #scotland #highlands

View on Instagram https://instagr.am/p/DHUTESlsAUb/

March 17, 2025