Going round the very top

Mizzle can't dampen the thrill of lunching on tatties at the northernmost point of Britain

- Marsali Taylor

This year’s most exciting sail was definitely going round the top of Britain in Swan, Shetland’s own tall ship. She's a 125 year old, restored 67ft Fifie fishing boat, and this trip was a long weekend exploring the North Isles.

We set out on a Thursday morning, going northwards in a brisk Force 3, which let us set four of Swan's five sails: jib, foresail, main and mizzen, leaving only the triangular topsail rolled up on deck. There was mist on the hills, but the sea and sky were blue, as we ate lunch on deck.

That night was in Yell, the second most northerly of the Shetland islands, and on Friday we set out early for the big day: around Muckle Flugga and Out Stack, the rock that marks the end of Britain.