Simmer dim

Simmer dim - don't you just love the sound of it? And when you learn what it is, there is that magical element to it too. Simmer dim is the amazingly long day light hours in midsummer, a time where it never gets fully dark. During this time the sun only dips down below the northern horizon for a few hours - so there is no true darkness - only an extended period of twilight - known as simmer dim. Hauntingly magical, isn't it?



I might have already posted this photo...but it really shows simmer dim.

Further interesting facts about Shetland:

Shetland is known as "60 degrees north". It lies on the 60th parallel of latitude on the earth. Just for perspective, the Gulf of Alaska is on the same parallel. Again to put into perspective where we are on the planet - from Shetland, if you go due north, nothing will get in your way until you reach the Arctic Circle - nothing. As you go north & glance to your right, you will pass Norway. Glance to your left, you will pass Iceland & then Greenland. Next stop, the North Pole! Shetland is 60 degrees north and the Arctic Circle is 66 degrees north.

The Shetland Islands include more than 100 islands....15 of them are inhabited. The total land area is about 567 sq. miles with over 900 miles of coastline. The economy is mostly dependent on fishing, although the oil industry has also appeared.

Of course English is the official language of Shetland but their dialect is very different. Sometimes it's very hard to understand and sometimes people switch a bit to help you understand. If you want to hear the Shetland language, here's a link: http://www.shetlanddialect.org.uk/ .

The Shetland Islands are a part of Scotland, but the people consider themselves more associated with Norway and the Viking way. Shetland has been occupied since prehistoric times, but has been a part of Scotland only since 1472.


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Location:Hillswick, Shetland Islands