Gloup Memorial - 14^th February 2015

By this time we had been in Yell for over a week, and had not been blessed with any clement weather. Wind and rain had dominated. Whilst much useful research had taken place, a visit to the memorial to take some photographs and video was important. The morning of the Saturday the 14^th dawned in a slightly more optimistic fashion – less wind, and although overcast, no rain. I was persuaded by my wife, to a certain extent against my better judgement, that this might be the best day we would have in our brief stay. So, cameras in hand, we set off for the 40 minute trip to the north of Yell – to Gloup.

I am not of a spiritual or religious persuasion- perhaps agnostic would be the closest description. But what happened on arrival at Gloup was, to say the least, uncanny. We had travelled through fairly dull weather, overcast with a threat of rain. But on arrival at the memorial, there was no wind and the sky cleared to a clear blue with fluffy white clouds. As an ex-fisherman I was forced to wonder if the fishermen of old were looking down and asking if the Good Lord might just organise a short break in the weather to assist this strange chap in pursuing his interest in the events of 1881. Romantic nonsense of course? After our stay of about 45 minutes, the weather closed in again.

We took quite a few images, and some video which might well be used. Four examples are posted below.

            Gloup Memorial with the light behind. The widow and child looking out to sea.

                                                Looking out to sea with the blue sky.

Looking down from the memorial. These waves are caused by a shallower bottom causing the waves to break as they move uo the voe. I am told that the boats used to land on the shale beach just inland from those breaking waves.

The view to sea from the memorial. Boats returning from the West would have first been seen in approximately this view.