1 94 Chmifhological Visit to Shetlmid and Oi'hiey, 



nest can be discovered ; the old bird always taking flight 

 upon the first appearance of danger, and wheeling in circles 

 over the fowler^s head, uttering at intervals the peculiar cry 

 of the falcon tribe, which she continues to do until he leaves 

 the crags. 



Passing from Valey, along the diversified shores of the 

 western coast, there is little to attract the attention, and 

 nothing beyond the usual appearance of these desolate isles 

 presents itself to the view. On the island side, the barren 

 and dark-brown heath that everywhere clothes the face of the 

 country stretches away as far as the eye can reach, broken into 

 the greatest irregularity of hill and dale, and variegated by 

 blocks and slabs of sandstone and granite, that are abundantly 

 strewed in every direction. This covering but too plainly in- 

 dicates the scanty portion of soil that sparingly supplies the 

 only vegetation of the place, and over which a few half-starved 

 sheep and some shaggy long-coated ponies wander in pitiful 

 misery. Wretched as these animals look, they are, however, 

 but little inferior in appearance to the peasantry, who are al- 

 together careless of agricultural pursuits, and merely scratch 

 the surface of the ground with their uncouth implements of 

 husbandry, to form a small spot around their miserable huts 

 barely sufiicient to raise a few potatoes or oats. There are, 

 however, some resident gentlemen in the isles, that have by 

 indefatigable exertions managed to cultivate some few acres ; 

 but the keen easterly breezes of spring, together with the 

 saline matter that is constantly held in solution by the atmo- 

 sphere, tend greatly to check vegetation, and to throw a damp 

 upon the labours of the peasant, by too often blighting in his 

 small portion of oats the whole efforts of his industry. Yet 

 withal the Shetland peasant is comparatively happy and con- 

 tented, perfectly indifferent to luxury, and careless of those 

 comforts which more particularly mark the more southern 

 climates. He passes the long dreary months of winter in 

 ease and indolence ; collecting his family and friends around 

 the huge pile of peat that burns in the centre of his hut, 

 where the dance and the song circulate in joyous hilarity. 

 As soon as the fishing season commences, however, all is 

 bustle and confusion ; for on that depend his sole hopes of 

 subsistence. Aroused from apathy, he then launches his 

 little skiff upon the ocean, and bids farewell for a few days to 

 his wife and family, who attend him to the shore with wishes 

 for good fortune and success. 



Papastower, a small island to the north of Melby, is in 

 itself one of the greatest curiosities of the Shetland Isles. On 

 its northern sides it has three peculiar inlets, which run almost 



