From the glittering rays of sunrise over an airless horizon throwing sparkling lights across the sea to the shore, to the moonlit rippling of the surface on a dark winter’s night interrupted only by the regular sweep of the lighthouse beam and the twinkling ships’ lights, the sea was a comforting partner to our island community.

It was our umbilical cord to the mainland. It put food on our tables. It provided employment. It entertained us as children. It helped forecast our weather. It gave up seaweed to provide nutrients for our land. It brought ashore timber - a valuable commodity in our treeless landscape. It carried home our relatives. It brought our visitors. It reminded us regularly of how lucky we were to be able to share it and its beauty.

The influence of the sea shaped us for the future.

Whipped by the wind the gigantic waves crashed onto our beaches, clawing furiously at our shoreline. Spume, like thick cream, was thrown high into the air to shatter into millions of droplets. The wild sea with no respect, grabbing, chasing, tossing everything in its way, taking what it wanted and spitting out what it rejected with awesome force. The sea was a respected partner to our island community.

It took away many of our loved ones. It damaged our fishing fleets. It disrupted our ferries. It forced us to ration our supplies. It put at risk the lives of our brave RNLI volunteers. It made necessary journeys uncomfortable and often dangerous. It made us anxious as we waited for news of missing persons. It reminded us regularly of just how vulnerable and weak we were when its beauty turned to anger.

The influence of the sea shaped us for the future.

'Contrasts' by Evelyn Sutherland, 5 years at Peddieston, remembering the seas around Shetland.

« Back to full list of personal views