A Shetland Voe - Nature and Wildlife, Episode 1

Sailing ‘Vaisala’ - A Trip to Look at the Marine Life in the Voe
00:00 Intro
00:34 Sailing ‘Vaisala’ to the Voe of Sound
02:28 Underwater footage in the Voe of Sound
This is the first of a series of short films to feature the nature and wildlife of a Shetland Voe. A Voe is the Shetland word for an inlet from the sea, generally long and narrow.
In this first film I sail my boat ‘Vaisala’ around to the Voe of Sound with my niece and her friend as crew. We aimed to explore the underwater world, and take a look at what marine life was down there.
The ‘Vaisala’ is a 16Ft ‘Maid Class’ Shetland Model. Built about 1970 she is a former racing boat that won many cups in her day, but now is rigged with a small standing lug sail. In the past this rig was commonly used in Shetland for the inshore fishery called da eela.
We tacked south through Lerwick harbour and across Breiwick to the Ness of Sound and then rounded the headland into the Voe of Sound. We deployed the underwater camera and hydrophone. A 13.4 nautical mile round trip by sail.
It was fascinating seeing the kelp, and the rough rocky bottom that takes the full force of the winter storms. Down among the rocks on the seabed were tiny fish fry. A shoal of Sandeels swam overhead. These were welcome to see as they are really important for the food chain and attract shoals of fish and flocks of seabirds to feed. The other fish in the film are Sillocks and Piltocks (Coalfish), I loved seeing them among the waar blades, it is a stunning underwater world they inhabit.
The Sillocks (year old Piltock) and Piltocks have over the centuries been the staple diet of many Shetlanders. They could be caught from the shore or in small boats such as the ‘Vaisala’. Eaten fresh with potatoes it is a very nice fish. The livers were also eaten and could provide oil. The Piltocks were salted and dried to keep over winter, some folk still do this but it is no longer the staple diet and for most, more of a treat.
When I’m out walking around the shore of the Voe I take along my camera. I regularly encounter Otters, Seals, and sometimes I’m lucky enough to spot whales and porpoise. Many seabirds, ducks and divers feed in the Voe, and the beach where two burns flow into the sea, attracts many different kinds of birds to feed. I was curious to get an insight to the marine life that supports all the wildlife in and around the Voe of Sound.
During Spring and autumn, migrating species of birds arrive to the Voe, some on route to warmer climes in winter, others blown off course, and some settle for the winter in Shetland or are returning for the summer breeding season. Winter can bring wild storms that batter the coast and send huge breaking waves up the Voe. It can be very exposed in Southerly and South Easterly gales, sometimes the weather persisting for weeks. The beach is often heaped with seaweed and supports an amazing number of different birds that survive out in these conditions. In further episodes I aim to head out in the wild weather and try and capture some of the big seas on camera, and film some of the wildlife and marine life that live in and around the Voe.
I hope you enjoy the footage.
Music
‘Haal in da Drogue and Gie da Boys a Biskut’ - composed by Maurice Henderson
Recorded on the shore of the Voe of Sound
Gear:
Fifish V6
Hydrophone H2d
Zoom F3 recorder
Canon EOS R6
Mavic Mini
Mavic Mini Pro 3
Mavic Pocket 2

[@kjs974]

So good for your soul and incredibly peaceful and uplifting , just makes my day and life worth living. Thanks so much for this, I do miss Shetland and it’s people like you. It gives a flavour of the place, just like the Faroes and Iceland. Regards. Kenneth

[@whiskeymeadowspike]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you!

[@MauriceHendersonShetland]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video😊

[@olivei2484]

Nice video, liked the underwater footage and the music. Vaisala is nice too.

[@MauriceHendersonShetland]

Thanks for your comment, glad you liked the video.

[@richardashbee1477]

Great video Maurice, the underwater footage is excellent good to see so many fish about. As always music great as well

[@MauriceHendersonShetland]

Thanks Richard, I’m looking forward to explore some more around the Voe through the winter.