Shetland Wool Week .. pt 2 .. Stanydale, Culswick Broch, and our first Croft visit ..

After a relaxing start to the day, we headed out west mainland so that I could introduce A to the Neolithic "temple" at Stanydale. On our previous visit to Shetland, I had a ventured out alone to this megalithic site – and was keen to share this special place with A for the first time. I have discussed this site below at:

Stanydale Temple

Parking at the pull we walked out across the marshy moorland past the Neolithic farmhouses, and the ghosts of field systems. The occasional sighting of birds splitting the air above: Curlew (Numenius arquata), Raven (Corvus corax), Greylag Goose (Anser anser); Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) flighting ahead of us.

The soft distant “plew plew” of a Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria), and the whizz of a Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) as it flushed at our approach. A covey of six Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus) calling long enough for us to spot them amongst the low-lying Heather (Calluna vulgaris).

Neolithic farmhouse with windbreak at doorway

Stanydale Temple from entrance

within the Temple 

standing stones adjacent to Temple

Neolithic field system?

Heath Waxcap (Hygrocybe laeta) 

After exploring Stanydale, we drove a short distance south and took a walk out to the remains of Culswick Broch, our route passing the Wesleyan Methodist Church built in 1893.

Wesleyan Methodist Church

In wet path side flushes a handful of Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) were noted; Waxcaps (Hygrocybe sp.) were plentiful in places (see Addendum).

Round-leaved Sundew

Vermillion Waxcap (<i>Hygrocybe Cf minitia</i>)

A scattering of Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) nodding their delicate blue flowerheads in the breeze.

Devil's-bit Scabious

The Broch is constructed of both red and white Granite – and the triangular block acting as the lintel for the south-east facing entrance passage – stands out impressively as you approach the site.

Culswick Broch

Before heading back to Lerwick, we took a small detour via Bridge of Walls, joining the A971 and visiting: The Silly Sheep Fibre Company

Spending the best part of an hour with the Proprietor, we learnt about the production of wool, which is grown on site, by the Shetland sheep; then harvested, before being sent to Yorkshire for spinning and dyeing. The finished product is then returned to the Croft. The wool for the Shetland Tweed which we purchased having taken an additional journey to Skye for weaving into tweed.

A flock of Ca. 40 Rock Dove (Columba livia) was a great drive-by find – the birds roosting in a quarry near Tingwall, on the way back to Lerwick.

Reading

Fojut, N. (1993) A Guide to Prehistoric and Viking Shetland The Shetland Times Ltd, Lerwick, Shetland

Stewart, J. (2008) An Outline of Shetland Archaeology Shetland Amenity Trust

Turner, V. (1998) Ancient Shetland Shetland Amenity Trust / B.T. Batsford Ltd, London

Addendum

Whilst the phone App (Obsidentify) identified the waxcaps confidently as Vermillion Waxcap the submission of the record has yet to be verified on iRecord.