Herrislea House Hotel

Ewan and I were staying at the Herrislea House Hotel which is handy for both golf courses on Shetland’s mainland, Dale and Asta.

In fact, it’s only a 5-minute drive from each, probably less.

Herrislea is fabulous, a mix of rock & roll, African safaris and Shetland life in the days of old.

I got on friendly terms with Gordon, the owner, who was easy going and approachable.

“Mabel was telling me it was your turn to get in touch,” I told him right out of the blue. He looked confused for a millisecond but never really missed a beat. “Tell her I’ve been busy.”

Herrislea sports a cacophony of styles

Mabel is one of our Shetland friends from the original visit in 1972. In fact, she married Neil, my expeditionary counterpart. Gordon, the owner of the Herrislea is her cousin. Shetland’s like that - one very small island!

Our room included a traditional Shetland timber box bed.

We enjoyed staying at Herrislea. Our room was huge and had two traditional timber box beds built into the corner one of which Ewan grabbed. On top of that, the food was exceptional, especially the full Shetland breakfast.

Ewan made himself at home in the traditional Shetland box-bed.

BUNCH OF LOUTS

After dinner, over a dram and cup of coffee, I mentioned to Gordon I was from Dundee.

“Oh! Mabel got involved with a bunch of louts from Dundee back in the early 70s,” he recalled with a distinctly notable tone of disdain. “They were awful, hair down to their arses, smoking dope and God knows what else?”

I was reluctant to tell him but decided to brave it anyway!

“That was us!” I blurted!

Gordon and I were never quite on the same footing after that!