All summer long ,in various locations throughout Shetland , the yoal regattas take place. Each yoal represents their own district. Teams are made up of 7 people and each boat has up to six teams. There are six people rowing and a cox to steer.The yoal rows out for one mile before racing the one mile back to the pier , where crowds of onlookers cheer them on.The yoals are built to specific designs and reflect the sixareens traditionally used in Shetland for the Far haaf fishing. Here you see a replica of an original sixareen ,which lies at the pier in Baltasound. Our yoals and sixareens remind us of the loss of life in the Delting and Gloup disasters, where whole communities of young men were lost in powerful storms.
Our Metasaga coincided with Unst Yoal Regatta so we joined the crowds at Baltasound Pier. Here the group became part of my community, they experienced a community event.
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