Shetland Amenity Trust Shetland Nature Festival 2019 incorporating European Geoparks Week

Programme of Events

6th to 14th July Shetland Nature Festival Shetland has a wild magic all of its own... The shetland nature festival celebrates this magic and encourages everyone to get out there, explore and enjoy the world around them. - Simon King Shetland Nature Festival is a celebration of Shetland’s unique and often amazing natural heritage. The festival aims to make Shetland’s incredible wildlife accessible to people of all ages, abilities and interests, and this is reflected in the wide range of events and exhibitions on offer. Shetland Amenity Trust organises the Shetland Nature Festival in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB and Shetland Islands Council, North Atlantic Fisheries College and Shetland Bird Club. Find updates on our website, or follow us on Facebook where up-to-date news of event changes will be published, as well as any new additions to the schedule. www.shetlandnaturefestival.co.uk Shetland Nature Festival

Shetland UNESCO Global Geopark

UNESCO Global Geoparks showcase the beauty and diversity of planet Earth in extraordinary places across the world. UNESCO Global Geoparks are sites and landscapes of international geological significance, which are managed in a way that promotes sustainable tourism that respects both local people and the traveller as well as geological, natural, cultural and intangible heritage. Shetland Nature Festival is run in partnership with European Geoparks Week, a Europe-wide festival aimed at raising public awareness of geoconservation and promoting geological heritage through a range of activities and events. www.geoparkshetland.org SATURDAY 6th JULY NOSS OPEN DAY Visit the island of Noss. A National Nature Reserve, famous for its seabird colonies. Travel across to the island by inflatable and partake in a whole range of family events. Sandwiches and drinks available to purchase. When & Where: 1200 - 1600 Meet at Noss carpark Free shuttle bus between Bressay ferry terminal and Noss car park from 1100-1700, zodiac across Noss Sound Price: Free Drop in

A CROFT IN HARMONY WITH NATURE An opportunity to join Chris Dyer on an exclusive family-friendly nature tour at Garths Croft, Bressay. The croft focuses on native and heritage breeds. Oats and wild bird seed are sown to attract wildlife to the croft and the hay meadows contain a diverse array of wild flowers. When & Where: 1000 -1200 & 1300 - 1500 Garths Croft, Bressay From the ferry, follow the main road until the shop. At the crossroads, turn right Garths croft is the signposted track on the left after the left turning to South Ham. Price: £10.00 Adult £5.00 Under 16 Book direct on 07748926454 or e-mail [email protected]

COASTEERING Explore Shetland’s coastline from a unique perspective both in the sea and on the shore. Age 16+ Meet at St Sunniva Street Stores, Lerwick. When & Where: 1000 - 1600 Location to be decided on the day Price: £45 Booking required Wetsuits provided

Book events online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat or telephone 01595 694688 SUNDAY 7th JULY Sumburgh Head Open Day Guided walks, painting, whale watch, children’s activities 1000 - 1700 Day ticket £6.00 includes all activities

GUIDED WALK - MEET SUMBURGH’S SEABIRDS Join local experts to learn about the seabirds around the Head. When & Where: 1045 & 1315 (one hour long) Sumburgh Head Limited places - book on the day MURAL PAINTING Help local artists Howard Towll and Dirk Robertson paint a large mural. When & Where: 1200 – 1600 Sumburgh Head Drop in

GUIDED WALK - THE SUMBURGH STORY A guided walk around the Sumburgh Visitor Centre. When & Where: 1200 & 1500 (one hour long) Sumburgh Head Limited places - book on the day WHALE WATCH Join Karen Hall as she looks for whales and dolphins. When & Where: 1400 – 1600 Sumburgh Head Drop in PEERIE BIRDERS Find out some funky facts about seabirds When & Where: 1045 & 1430 (one hour long) Sumburgh Head Drop in

GUIDED WALK - SEABIRD MONITORING AT SUMBURGH HEAD How we do it and what its told us - guided walk with Will Miles (SOTEAG). When & Where: 1430 -1600 Sumburgh Head Limited places - book on the day

Book events online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat or telephone 01595 694688 SUNDAY 7th JULY

GUIDED WALK - THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SUMBURGH HEAD Walk from the Sumburgh Hotel to Sumburgh Head to search for birds and flowers with a little bit of geology. When & Where: 1030 - 1230 Meet at Sumburgh Hotel car park Price: £5.00 Booking required BEGINNERS OR IMPROVERS GUIDE TO BOTANICAL DRAWING Learn to draw plants under the expert tutelage of Diane Garrick. (Over 14s only) When & Where: 0930 – 1600 Aister Studio, Aithsetter, Cunningsburgh Price: £40.00 (includes lunch and materials) Booking required GUIDED WALK - FLADDABISTER THROUGH THE AGES Accompany local expert, Douglas Halcrow, to find out the history of Fladdabister and see what wildlife is encountered enroute. When & Where: 1045 -1400 Meet at Cunningsburgh Hall Price: £10.00 (includes coffee and home bake at the Cunningburgh History Hut) Booking required CUNNINGSBURGH HISTORY HUT OPEN AFTERNOON Drop by and see the latest exhibitions from the Cunningsburgh History Group. When & Where: 1400 – 1700 next to Cunningsburgh Hall Price: Free No booking required THE WORLD OF SEABIRDS - SHETLAND AND BEYOND TALK BY WILL MILES A look at the world of seabirds on Shetland and further afield, including their biology and behaviour, their appeal to people, and how they feature in art and stories. When & Where: 1930 – 2100 Shetland Museum & Archives Auditorium Price: £5.00 Booking preferable, tickets can also be purchased on the door (subject to availablility)

Where not specified, events do not require booking. U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that all walks are across rough and potentially boggy ground so please dress appropriately and in particular wear suitable footwear. MONDAY 8th JULY NAFC Marine Centre Open Day Showcasing the marine environment of Shetland with exhibitions in the foyer. When & Where: 0900 - 1700 NAFC Marine Centre, Scalloway Price: Free Drop in INTRODUCTION TO MARINE ECOLOGY WORKSHOP Join the marine scientists at NAFC Marine Centre to learn all about marine ecology! Get close to some of the marine creatures in the labs and learn all about their behaviour and habitats. When & Where: 1000 - 1300 NAFC Marine Centre, Scalloway Price: £40.00 adult £25.00 under 16s Booking required

ROCKPOOLING FOR BAIRNS Bring your nets and buckets and lets go rock pooling to see what we can find. When & Where: 1000 - 1130 Sandsayre, Sandwick Price: Free No booking required Children must be accompanied by an adult.

GUIDED WALKS HOW TO LOOK FOR OTTERS Join a local expert on a hunt for these beautiful but very elusive creatures. When & Where: 1000 – 1300 Meet at Lunna Kirk Price: £5.00 Booking required ARCHAEOLOGY OF FETHALAND Discover the archaeology of Fethaland with archaeologist Val Turner. When & Where: 1100 – 1500 Meet at Isbister, North Roe Price: £5.00 Booking required Bring a packed lunch FAIR ISLE’S WILDLIFE AND HERITAGE Join the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Ranger for one of the Isle’s most popular walks, looking at the wildlife, culture and history of Britain’s remotest inhabited Isle. When & Where: 1200 – 1600 Meet at Fair Isle airstrip Price: Free No booking required

THE EAGLE’S LAST STRONGHOLD - SHETLAND’S GUILT IN A NATIONAL EXTINCTION TALK BY IAN TAIT Come and find out what happened to Shetland’s sea eagles When & Where: 1930 – 2100 Shetland Museum & Archives Auditorium Price: £5.00 Booking preferable, tickets can also be purchased on the door (subject to availablility)

Book events online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat or telephone 01595 694688 MONDAY 8th JULY

SHETLAND SEABIRD TOURS NATURE FESTIVAL SPECIAL TO NOSS Join Shetland Seabird Tours for a spectacular trip around Noss at a special discounted rate as part of the Nature Festival. When & Where: 1230 – 1500 Meetat Victoria Pier, Lerwick Price: £40.00 Adult £20.00 14 and under Book direct on 07767872260

FAMILY COASTEERING Explore Shetland’s coastline from a unique perspective both in the sea and on the shore. Family day but under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. When & Where: 1000 - 1600 Location to be decided on the day Meet at St Sunniva Street Stores, Lerwick Price: £45.00 Booking required Wetsuits provided

ONE SMALL BIRD This 5 day holiday project will take you on an exciting musical journey from Shetland to Peru. Lets celebrate together the miraculous migration of Shetland’s red-necked phalaropes through song, movement, poetry and puppet making! Open to children & adults (8yrs +) Monday 8th – Friday 12th July, 10am-2pm Mareel auditorium, Lerwick The project will culminate in a performance by participants of ‘One Small Bird’ song cycle at Mareel at 6pm on the Friday.

Where not specified, events do not require booking. U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that all walks are across rough and potentially boggy ground so please dress appropriately and in particular wear suitable footwear. TUESDAY 9TH JULY Shetland Crofthouse Museum Open Day Life on the croft and so much more. When & Where: 1000 - 1700 Crofthouse Museum, Boddam Price: £3.50 Adults £1.50 Under 16 Drop in FROM PEATLAND TO PEAT STACK, HOW PRISTINE IS YOUR BOG? Sue White and Ian Tait will run a series of talks, demonstrations and childrens activities on the topic of peats. When & Where: 1100 – 1300 & 1400 - 1600 Crofthouse Museum, Boddam Price: Included in entry fee Drop in

GUIDED WALK - GEOLOGY AND COASTAL FLOWERS Wildlife walk with a particular emphasis on whats under your feet. When & Where: 1300 - 1700 (optional shorter walk finishes at 1500) Crofthouse Museum, Boddam Price: Included in entry fee Booking on the day at the crofthouse

MOTHS AND MINIBEASTS Come see the moths we have caught in our traps and search for minibeasts around the crofthouse. There will be art materials available to sketch drawings of the wildlife and scenery around the crofthouse When & Where: 1100 - 1500 Crofthouse Museum, Boddam Price: Included in entry fee Drop in

SHETLAND’S MARINE ENVIRONMENT TALK BY NAFC STAFF Come join the staff of NAFC Marine Centre UHI and hear about their work in the marine environment. When & Where: 1900 – 2030 NAFC Lecture Theatre Price: £4.00 Pay on the door

Book events online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat or telephone 01595 694688 TUESDAY 9TH JULY

SEA KAYAKING See our coastline from an unusual perspective with Angus Nicol at Sea Kayak Shetland. For experienced kayakers only. Book direct with Sea Kayak Shetland on 01595 840272 or e-mail [email protected] When & Where: 0900 – 1700 Frakkafield Price: £85.00 Booking required

MINDFULNESS IN THE OUTDOORS John Muir said “climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their freshness into you and the storms their energy. Cares will fall off like autumn leaves” If these words resonate with you, why not join us and deepen your connection to the wild of Shetland in an evening of mindfulness outdoors. When & Where: 1800 - 2100 Location to be decided on the day Meet at St Sunniva Street Stores, Lerwick Price: £12.00 Booking required

Where not specified, events do not require booking. U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that all walks are across rough and potentially boggy ground so please dress appropriately and in particular wear suitable footwear. WEDNESDAY 10th July Old Scatness Open Day Get a special day ticket and explore the Iron Age world of Old Scatness with our living history team. Tour the Old Scatness multi-period archaeological site in the company of expert guides, watch demonstrations of Viking and Iron Age crafts, listen to stories, play ancient games and explore our archaeological dig box for hidden treasures. When & Where: 1000 – 1700 Old Scatness Broch and Iron Age Village Price: £6.00 adults £4.00 children Drop in DYE WORKSHOPS Learn the secrets of natural dyes from textiles expert Elizabeth Johnston. A three hour course will take you through the intricacies of using natural plants and minerals to colour textiles. With just a few dye stuffs, let’s see how many colours we can achieve. When & Where: 1000 & 1400 Old Scatness Broch and Iron Age Village Price: £30.00 Booking required Price includes day ticket to site GUIDED WALK - THE GEOLOGY OF SCATNESS Come and explore the geology of Scatness and enjoy the wildflowers and birds on the way. When & Where: 1400 - 1600 Meet at Old Scatness carpark Price: £5.00 Booking required GUIDED WALK - FROST AND FLOWERS, TO THE TOP OF RONAS HILL AND BEYOND Explore Shetland’s highest point. Search for Arctic-alpine flowers and look for periglacial features. Over 12s only. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a packed lunch. When & Where: 1100 - 1600 Meet at top of Collafirth Hill Price: £5.00 Booking required WATCHING WADERS Drop along the Pool of Virkie and join members of Shetland Bird Club to look for waders. Meet at the Virkie turning circle and park opposite the big shed. When & Where: 1400 - 1600 Pool of Virkie Price: Free No booking required GUIDED WALK - MOUSA BROCH AND PETRELS Come and explore the wildlife and archaeology of Mousa, culminating with the arrival of Storm Petrels at the broch as it gets dark. Over 12s only. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. When & Where: 2030 - 2400 Meet at Sandsayre, Sandwick Price: £30 adult £15.00 under 16 (includes boat fare) Booking required

Book events online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat or telephone 01595 694688 ONE SMALL BIRD

by Kate Stilitz & Jilly Jarman

Come Join In!

This 5 day holiday project will take you on an exciting musical journey from Shetland to Peru.

Lets celebrate together the miraculous migration of Shetland’s

red-necked phalaropes through song, movement, poetry and puppet making!

Open to children & adults (8yrs +)

Monday 8th – Friday 12th July, 10am-2pm Mareel auditorium, Lerwick

The project will culminate in a performance by participants of ‘One Small Bird’ song cycle at Mareel at 6pm on the Friday.

This event is part of the Shetland Nature Festival.

Book online: thelittleboxoffice.com/sat Or phone Shetland Amenity Trust 01595 694688

Price for the week: £40 per child (acc. adult free) and £20 for additional bairns from same family. £40 per solo adult.

Where not specified, events do not require booking. U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that all walks are across rough and potentially boggy ground so please dress appropriately and in particular wear suitable footwear. Shetland Nature Festival 2019 at a glance Book online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat or phone 01595 694688

SATURDAY 6TH JULY 1000 -1200 & 1300 - 1500 A Croft In Harmony With Nature 1000 - 1600 Coasteering 1100 -1700 Noss Open Day

SUNDAY 7TH JULY 0930 - 1600 Beginners Or Improvers Guide To Botanical Drawing 1000 - 1700 Sumburgh Head Open Day 1030 - 1230 Guided Walk - The Natural History Of Sumburgh Head 1045 - 1145 & 1430 - 1530 Peerie Birders 1045 - 1145 & 1315 - 1415 Guided Walk - Meet Sumburgh’s Seabirds 1045 - 1400 Guided Walk - Fladdabister Through The Ages 1200 - 1600 Mural Painting 1200 - 1300 & 1500 - 1600 Guided Walk - The Sumburgh Story 1400 - 1600 Whale Watch 1400 - 1700 Cunningsburgh History Hut Open Afternoon 1430 - 1600 Guided Walk - Seabird Monitoring At Sumburgh Head 1930 - 2100 Talk - The World Of Seabirds - Shetland And Beyond

MONDAY 8TH JULY 0900 - 1700 NAFC Marine Centre Open Day 1000-1400 One Small Bird 1000 - 1300 Introduction To Marine Ecology Workshop 1000 - 1130 Rockpooling For Bairns 1000- 1300 Guided Walk - How To Look For Otters 1000 - 1600 Family Coasteering 1100 - 1500 Guided Walk - Archaeology Of Fethaland 1200 - 1600 Guided Walk - Fair Isle’s Wildlife And Heritage 1230 - 1500 Shetland Seabird Tours Nature Festival Special To Noss 1930 - 2100 Talk - The Eagle’s Last Stronghold

TUESDAY 9TH JULY 0900 - 1700 Sea Kayaking 1000 -1400 One Small Bird 1000 - 1700 Shetland Crofthouse Museum Open Day 1100 - 1300 & 1400 - 1600 From Peatland To Peat Stack, How Pristine Is Your Bog? 1300 - 1700 Guided Walk - Geology And Coastal Flowers 1100 - 1500 Moths And Minibeasts 1800 - 2100 Mindfulness In The Outdoors 1900 - 2030 Talk - Shetland’s Marine Environment

Book events online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat or telephone 01595 694688 WEDNESDAY 10TH JULY 1000 - 1700 Old Scatness Open Day 1000 -1400 One Small Bird 1000 & 1400 Dye Workshops 1100 - 1600 Guided Walk - Frost And Flowers 1400 - 1600 Guided Walk - The Geology Of Scatness 1400 - 1600 Watching Waders 2030 - 2400 Guided Walk - Mousa Broch And Petrels

THURSDAY 11TH JULY 0900 - 1400 Sea Kayaking 1000 -1400 One Small Bird 1000 - 1700 Quendale Mill Open Day 1000 - 1700 Childhood On The Farm 10.30 then on the ½ hr Guided Tours Of The Mill 1100 - 1500 Wonderful Whaaps - Crofting For Curlews 1130 - 1500 Guided Walk - From Eshaness Light To The Grind Of Navir 1400 - 1600 Guided Walk - History And Wildlife Of Garths Ness 1900 - 2030 Talk - When Shetlanders Abandoned Grain

FRIDAY 12TH JULY 1000 - 1700 Shetland Museum And Archives Open Day: Shetland’s Flora 1000 -1400 One Small Bird 1045 - 1715 Guided Walk - A Visit To Out Skerries 1400 - 1630 Family Art Session 1000 - 1600 Walter Scott Botanical Collection Display 1300 - 1345 Celebrating Walter Scott 1200 - 1500 Horticultural Unit Open Day 1800 - 1900 One Small Bird Performance 1930 - 2100 Talk - Digging Up The Dark Stuff

SATURDAY 13TH JULY 0750 - 1830 Phalaropes And Folklore - A Visit To The Island Of Fetlar 1000 - 1400 Beach Clean At Woodwick 1100 - 1600 Viking Haroldswick Open Day

SUNDAY 14TH JULY 1000 - 1200 Meadowsong - RSPB workshop 1100 - 1630 Whales And Dolphins 1030 - 1300 Guided Walk: The Unst Ophiolite 1300 - 1500 One Small Bird - RSPB workshop 1400 - 1730 Guided Walk: Hermaness, Seabirds And Bogs 1600 - 1730 A Trip To Botany Moon Where not specified, events do not require booking. U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that all walks are across rough and potentially boggy ground so please dress appropriately and in particular wear suitable footwear. THURSDAY 11th JULY Quendale Mill Open Day A day for all the family at Shetland’s only restored vertical water mill. When & Where: 1000 – 1700 Adult: £4.00 Senior Citizen/Concessionary: £3.00 Children (12-16yrs): £1.00 Under 12’s: Free GUIDED TOURS OF THE MILL A chance to be guided around the exhibits and workings of the mill in the company of a local expert. When & Where: on the half hour every hour starting at 1030, last tour 1530 Price: included in entry fee No booking required GUIDED WALK - HISTORY AND WILDLIFE OF GARTHS NESS Take a walk to nearby Garths Ness and learn about the history of this fascinating area. When & Where: 1400 - 1600 Quendale Mill Price: included in entry fee No booking required WONDERFUL WHAAPS - CROFTING FOR CURLEWS Find out more about Shetland’s Curlews with the RSPB. When & Where: 1100 - 1500 Quendale Mill Price: included in entry fee No booking required CHILDHOOD ON THE FARM Toys of yesteryear and a chance to make your own butter, plus a bit of storytelling. All in the company of trow expert Davy Cooper. There should also be an opportunity to meet some of the animals from the Quendale Farm. When & Where: 1000 - 1700 Quendale Mill Price: included in entry fee No booking required WHEN SHETLANDERS ABANDONED GRAIN, AND WHY GRAIN WILL NEVER RETURN. TALK BY IAN TAIT Ian Tait will explain why Shetlanders needed grain to survive for centuries and why we don’t see it today. When & Where: 1900 – 2030 Quendale Mill Price: £5.00 Pay on the door

Book events online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat or telephone 01595 694688 THURSDAY 11th JULY SEA KAYAKING See our coastline from an unusual perspective with Angus Nicol at Sea Kayak Shetland. This expedition is designed for beginners. Book direct with Sea Kayak Shetland on 01595 840272 or e-mail [email protected] When & Where: 0900 – 1400 Frakkafield Price: £50.00 Booking required

GUIDED WALK: THE GEOLOGY AND WILDLIFE OF A SPECTACULAR COASTLINE, FROM ESHANESS LIGHT TO THE GRIND OF NAVIR Join us on a journey along the cliffs and discover the volcanic history of Eshaness and the power of the Atlantic. Enjoy the scenery and wildlife while discovering the geological story of how this marvellous coast was formed. When & Where: 1130 - 1500 Meet at Eshaness Lighthouse car park Bring a packed lunch Price: £5.00 Booking required

Where not specified, events do not require booking. U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that all walks are across rough and potentially boggy ground so please dress appropriately and in particular wear suitable footwear. FRIDAY 12th JULY Shetland Museum and Archives Open Day: Shetland’s Flora A fun day for all at Shetland’s leading visitor attraction When & Where: 1000 – 1700 Admission free but some events may be charged. FAMILY ART SESSION Create artwork inspired by Shetland’s flora in the company of local artist Aimee Labourne. This event is suitable for all the family and all abilities. When & Where: 1400 - 1630 SMAA Learning room Price: £5.00 per family Drop in Materials included WALTER SCOTT BOTANICAL COLLECTION DISPLAY Display of some of the highlights of Shetland naturalist Walter Scott’s material. When & Where: 1000 - 1600 Archives Searchroom CELEBRATING WALTER SCOTT, ONE OF SHETLAND’S GREATEST NATURALISTS TALK BY BRIAN SMITH Brian Smith will speak about the life of the late Walter Scott. When & Where: 1300 – 1345 Archives Searchroom Price: £5.00 HORTICULTURAL UNIT OPEN DAY Learn what the Amenity Trust’s Woodland Team get up to: propagating Shetland native trees and safeguarding some of Shetland’s rarest flowers. When & Where: 1200 - 1500 Staney Hill, Lerwick Price: £2.50 includes a free tree Drop in DIGGING UP THE DARK STUFF TALK BY DONALD MURRAY Donald explores the human relationship with peat and asks whether today we can learn to love this landscape that may be so crucial to the planet’s future. When & Where: 1930 – 2100 Shetland Museum & Archives Auditorium Price: £5.00 Booking preferable, tickets can also be purchased on the door (subject to availability) GUIDED WALK: A VISIT TO OUT SKERRIES Meet the community and explore the island to learn about Skerries’ history, archaeology and wildlife. This trip involves a 1.25 hour ferry journey each way. When & Where: 1045 - 1715 Meet at Vidlin ferry terminal Price: £25.00 Adult £15.00 under 16 Includes ferry fare and lunch. Booking required ONE SMALL BIRD Performance at Mareel, 1800-1900 see page for full details

Book events online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat or telephone 01595 694688 SATURDAY 13th JULY Viking Haroldswick Open Day Go back in time in the Viking longhouse. Meet the Vikings, learn their crafts and view their artefacts. When & Where: 1100 – 1600 Viking longhouse, Haroldswick, Unst Price: Free No booking required PHALAROPES AND FOLKLORE - A VISIT TO THE ISLAND OF FETLAR Visit the garden of Shetland to explore it’s wildlife and folklore in the company of an RSPB warden and storyteller. When & Where: 0750 - 1830 Meet at SAT offices Lerwick at 0755, Toft at 0835, Gutcher at 0945 or Belmont at 1015.Price: £40.00 including transport, ferries and lunch Booking required. Please indicate where you would like to be picked up when booking. BEACH CLEAN AT WOODWICK Come and find out about Shetland’s marine litter problem and help us tackle it! When & Where: 1000 - 1400 Woodwick Beach Meet in Houlland car park Price: Free Drop in

Where not specified, events do not require booking. U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that all walks are across rough and potentially boggy ground so please dress appropriately and in particular wear suitable footwear. SUNDAY 14th JULY Natural Heritage Day On Unst WHALES AND DOLPHINS Display of whale bones & artefacts from the collection of local expert Neil Anderson and information about Shetland’s Killer Whales. When & Where: 1100 - 1630 Viking longhouse, Haroldswick, Unst Price: Free No booking required

GUIDED WALK: THE UNST OPHIOLITE, ROCKS, MINERALS AND SOME OF BRITAIN’S RAREST FLOWERS Come and explore serpentine debris and its suite of rare flowers at the Keen of Hamar and cross the boundary between the Earth’s crust and mantle. When & Where: 1030 - 1300 Meet at Keen of Hamar car park Price: Donations Booking through UnstFest

GUIDED WALK: HERMANESS, SEABIRDS AND BOGS AT BRITAIN’S MOST NORTHERLY POINT Traverse Britain’s most northerly blanket bog and fight off Great Skuas to view spectacular seabird colonies and the Muckle Flugga lighthouse. When & Where: 1400 - 1730 Meet at Hermaness car park Price: Donations Booking through UnstFest

A TRIP TO BOTANY MOON - BAIRNS ACTIVITIES ON THE KEEN OF HAMAR Explore Shetland’s lunar landscape and take part in some fun activities. When & Where: 1600 - 1730 Meet at Keen of Hamar car park Price: Donations No booking required

RSPB WORKSHOPS Meadowsong - explore the wonders of wildflower habitats through music and movement. One small bird - celebrate the migration of red-necked phalaropes through song,move- ment and visual arts. When & Where: Meadowsong 1000 - 1200 Unst Youth Centre One small bird 1300 - 1500 Unst Youth Centre Price: Adults £4.00 Children £2.00 No booking required. Pay on door.

Book events online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat or telephone 01595 694688 TALKS Sun 7th July THE WORLD OF SEABIRDS - SHETLAND AND BEYOND TALK BY WILL MILES A look at the world of seabirds, on Shetland and further afield. When & Where: 1930 – 2100 Shetland Museum & Archives Auditorium Price: £5.00 Booking required but payment on the night acceptable

Mon 8th July THE EAGLE’S LAST STRONGHOLD - SHETLAND’S GUILT IN A NATIONAL EXTINCTION TALK BY IAN TAIT Come and find out what happened to Shetland’s sea eagles When & Where: 1930 – 2100 Shetland Museum & Archives Auditorium Price: £5.00 Booking required but payment on the night acceptable

Tue 9th July SHETLAND’S MARINE ENVIRONMENT TALK BY NAFC STAFF Join the staff of NAFC Marine Centre UHI and hear about their work in the marine environment. When & Where: 1900 – 2030 NAFC Lecture Theatre Price: £4.00 Pay on the door

Thur 11th July WHEN SHETLANDERS ABANDONED GRAIN, AND WHY GRAIN WILL NEVER RETURN. TALK BY IAN TAIT Why Shetlanders needed grain to survive for centuries and why we don’t see it today. When & Where: 1900 – 2030 Quendale Mill Price: £5.00 Pay on the door

Fri 12th July CELEBRATING WALTER SCOTT, ONE OF SHETLAND’S GREATEST NATURALISTS TALK BY BRIAN SMITH Brian Smith will speak about the life of the late Walter Scott. When & Where: 1300 – 1345 Archives Searchroom Price: £5.00

Fri 12th JUly DIGGING UP THE DARK STUFF TALK BY DONALD MURRAY Donald explores the human relationship with peat through history When & Where: 1930 – 2100 Shetland Museum & Archives Auditorium Price: £5.00 Booking required but payment on the night acceptable

Where not specified, events do not require booking. U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that all walks are across rough and potentially boggy ground so please dress appropriately and in particular wear suitable footwear. WALKS

Sun 7th July MEET SUMBURGH’S SEABIRDS Join local experts to learn about the seabirds around the Head When & Where: 1045 & 1315 (one hour long) Sumburgh Head Limited places - book on the day Sun 7th July SEABIRD MONITORING AT SUMBURGH HEAD How we do it and what its told us - guided walk with Will Miles When & Where: 1430 -1600 Sumburgh Head Limited places - book on the day Sun 7th July THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SUMBURGH HEAD Walk from the Sumburgh Hotel to Sumburgh Head to search for birds and flowers with a little bit of geology. When & Where: 1030 - 1230 Sumburgh Hotel car park Price: £5.00 Booking required Mon 8th July HOW TO LOOK FOR OTTERS Join a local expert on a hunt for these beautiful but very elusive creatures When & Where: 1000 – 1300 Lunna, meet at Lunna Kirk Price: £5.00 Booking required Mon 8th July ARCHAEOLOGY OF FETHALAND Discover the archaeology of Fethaland with archaeologist Dr Val Turner When & Where: 1100 – 1500 Fethaland, meet at Isbister, North Roe Price: £5.00 Booking required Bring a packed lunch Mon 8th July FAIR ISLE’S WILDLIFE AND HERITAGE Join the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Ranger for one of the Isle’s most popular walks, looking at the wildlife, culture and history of Britain’s remotest inhabited Isle. When & Where: 1200 – 1600 Fair Isle, meet at the airstrip Price: Free No booking required Tue 9th July GEOLOGY AND COASTAL FLOWERS Wildlife walks with a particular emphasis on whats under your feet. When & Where: 1300 - 1700 Crofthouse Museum, Boddam Price: Included in entry fee Booking on the day at the crofthouse Wed 10th July THE GEOLOGY OF SCATNESS Come and explore the geology of Scatness and enjoy the wildflowers and birds on the way. When & Where: 1400 - 1600 Old Scatness Price: £5.00 Booking required Wed 10th July FROST AND FLOWERS, TO THE TOP OF RONAS HILL AND BEYOND Explore Shetland’s highest point. Search for arctic alpine flowers and periglacial features. Over 12s only. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a packed lunch. When & Where: 1100 - 1600 Meet at top of Collafirth Hill Price: £5.00 Booking required WALKS Wed 10th July MOUSA BROCH AND PETRELS Come and explore the wildlife and archaeology of Mousa, culminating with the arrival of Storm Petrels at the broch as it gets dark. Over 12s only. Under 16 must be accompanied. When & Where: 2030 - 2400 Meet at Sandsayre, Sandwick Price: £30 adult £15.00 under 16 (includes boat fare) Booking required Thur 11th July HISTORY AND WILDLIFE OF GARTHS NESS Take a walk to nearby Garths Ness and learn about both the natural and cultural heritage of this fascinating area. When & Where: 1400 - 1600 Quendale Mill Price: Included in entry fee No booking required Thur 11th July THE GEOLOGY AND WILDLIFE OF A SPECTACULAR COASTLINE, FROM ESHANESS LIGHT TO THE GRIND OF NAVIR Join us on a journey along the cliffs and discover the geology and wildlife of Eshaness When & Where: 1130 - 1500 Meet at Eshaness Lighthouse car park Bring a packed lunch Price: £5.00 Booking required Fri 12th July A VISIT TO OUT SKERRIES Meet the community and explore the island to learn about Skerries’ history, archaeology and wildlife. This trip involves a long boat journey each way (1.25 hours) When & Where: 1045 - 1715 Meet at Vidlin ferry terminal Price: £25.00 Adult £15.00 under 16 Includes ferry fare and lunch. Booking required Sat 13th July PHALAROPES AND FOLKLORE - A VISIT TO THE ISLAND OF FETLAR Visit the garden of Shetland to explore it’s wildlife and folklore When & Where: 0750 - 1830 Meet at SAT offices Lerwick at 0755, Toft at 0835, Gutcher at 0945 or Belmont at 1015. Price: £40.00 including transport, ferries and lunch Booking required. Sun 14th July THE UNST OPHIOLITE Come and explore serpentine debris and its suite of rare flowers at the Keen of Hamar and cross the boundary between the earth’s crust and mantle. When & Where: 1030 - 1300 Meet at Keen of Hamar Price: Donations Booking through UnstFest Sun 14th July HERMANESS, SEABIRDS AND BOGS AT BRITAIN’S MOST NORTHERLY POINT Traverse Britain’s most northerly blanket bog and fight off Great Skuas to view spectacular seabird colonies and the Muckle Flugga lighthouse. When & Where: 1400 - 1730 Meet at Hermaness car park Price: Donations Booking through UnstFest

Where not specified, events do not require booking. U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that all walks are across rough and potentially boggy ground so please dress appropriately and in particular wear suitable footwear. SKILLS WORKSHOPS

Sun 7th July BEGINNERS AND IMPROVERS GUIDE TO BOTANICAL DRAWING Learn to draw plants under the expert tutelage of Diane Garrick. (Over 14s only) When & Where: 0930 - 1600 Aister Studio, Cunningsburgh Price: £40.00 Booking required Materials and lunch included Monday 30th July DYE WORKSHOPS Learn the secrets of natural dyes from textiles expert Elizabeth Johnston. A three hour course will take you through the intricacies of using natural plants and minerals to colour textiles. With just a few dye stuffs, lets see how many colours we can achieve When & Where: 1000 & 1400 Old Scatness Broch and Iron Age Village Price: £30.00 Booking required Price includes day ticket to site

Book events online at www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat or telephone 01595 694688 Booking Details Event Bookings: www.thelittleboxoffice.com/sat

Shetland Amenity Trust: www.shetlandamenity.org [email protected] 01595 694688 Useful Contacts Shetland Nature Festival: www.shetlandnaturefestival.co.uk [email protected] 01595 694688

RSPB Shetland: www.rspb.org.uk [email protected] 01950 460800

Scottish Natural Heritage: www.snh.gov.uk [email protected] 01595 693345

Sumburgh Head [email protected] 01950 461966

Shetland Museum & Archives: www.shetland-museum.org.uk 01595 695057

UnstFest www.unstfest.org

UNESCO Global Geopark Shetland www.geoparkshetland.org.uk

European Geoparks Network: www.europeangeoparks.org

Global Geoparks Network: www.globalgeopark.org

For information on travel within Shetland, visit www.travel.shetland.org

Where not specified, events do not require booking. U16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that all walks are across rough and potentially boggy ground so please dress appropriately and in particular wear suitable footwear.