I finally made it to Jarlshof! It was a great way to get back into the Shetland 'groove'.
The Shetlands are a bit of an intriguing mix. Even though it's technically part of Scotland, it's not very long ago that it belonged to Norway. The Vikings and Norse have left a strong influence, which melds with the Pict and Celtic heritage.
Jarlshof is a small site, but the way they've excavated it is fascinating. They've peeled away different layers, so that you can see the evolution of the buildings and archeological influences through history. I know it may not SOUND that interesting, but it really is when it's used as a backdrop to paint the daily lives of the people.
I love how most sites in the UK have free audio guides, so that your eyes are free to roam as you walk along, and you can use all your senses to soak it all in. The smell of the sea air, the magnificent landscape, the rolling brogue of the commentator interspersed with wild and unusual music.
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