This is Havera, aka South Havray, to be found to the south of Burra on Shetland Mainland. It had eight families in residence until they all decided to leave in May 1923. The ground was fertile, but lacked peat and getting supplies there was an arduous task. The island had a school, a full-time teacher and eight pupils. A conspicuous feature was a corn-grinding windmill, 26' high on the 138' summit, visible below.
You can visit, metaphorically, by looking at the Shetland News details of a new book by Laughton Johnston and also from the blog by Patricia and Laughton Johnston. They describe the settlement, include the image of it below, and refer to small children being tethered together to prevent their being blown off the cliffs. All in all, a precarious existence which ended ninety years ago next month.
Scottish Islands Explorer - delighted to have discovered Havera
1 comment:
I was taken to South Havera last year by John-Lee Fullerton and his son, Robbie-Lee. They are part owners and run sheep there. They told me the houses were perched in that precarious position, on the narrow neck, because they couldn't spare any of the better land in the body of the island, needed for crops. One of the houses is still habitable and is used when they go to tend the sheep. That aerial view must be one of the best in the islands. Richard Clubley
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