THE NORTH

In the far north of the island, the Gloup Memorial commemorates the fifty eight fishermen who were drowned when disaster struck the Haaf fishing on the night of July 21St 1881.

From the memorial you can walk south along the steep sided voe, and then west to Burgi Geos, where you will find the remains of an Iron Age fort. Further north, at the house of Vigon, uninhabited since the 1880s, pause to think how different life must have been for those hard working crofters. Set aside a whole day to explore this, the north-west corner of Yell, as there is much to see.

A most enjoyable day can be spent at the Sands of Breckon. Sheltered, except from the north, this lovely beach with its extensive area of blown shell sand has interesting traces of Viking and earlier occupation. Among the abundant wild flowers, look out for the rare autumn gentian.

As you travel south from Cullivoe, you will come to Gutcher, the terminal for the ferries to Unst and Fetlar. Take the road to North Sandwick, from here you can walk down to one of Shetland's best preserved brochs at Burraness.

Alternatively you can take the turning a little further south towards Cunnister and Kirkabister, travelling along Basta Voe, and approach Burraness from that direction. This is prime otter territory, so keep a sharp watch out for them. Recent excavations have also been made of an Iron-Age settlement at the Tafts of Bayanne at Sellafirth.

THE EAST ROAD

Travelling along the road from Mid Yell towards Aywick and Burravoe, be sure to leave plenty of time to explore the side roads, and admire the magnificent views toward, Unst, Fetlar, Whalsay and Out Skerries. Even Bressay and Noss are visible on a clear day.

On the shore at Otterswick, you can see the figurehead known as the "White Wife" which came from the "Bolus", a German training ship which was wrecked on the Ness of Queyon in 1924.

The last side road before reaching Burravoe takes you to Gossabrough and another beautiful sandy beach.

Be sure to visit the local Museum and Exhibition Centre at Burravoe which is housed in the Old Haa, a building dating from 1672.