With summer fully upon us Avril has been enjoying her Sundays off exploring the sights Shetland has to offer. Here's a few of her favourite spots and how they have influenced her paintings!
St Ninian's Isle
Avril's first and favourite spot in Shetland is the classic St Ninian's Isle. The tombolo beach is one of the most well-known in the UK, allowing visitors to walk the 500m length from the mainland to the Isle, which features stunning cliffs and wild flowers. Avril spent much of her childhood in Bigton with her granny, so St Ninian's will always hold a special place in her heart.
Nightfall at St Ninian's Isle - Bigton - https://avrilthomsonsmith.com/products/nightfall-at-st-ninians-bigton
Westerwick
Next, Avril enjoys a frequent walk to Westerwick with her cousin Dorothy in the west side of Shetland. The walk begins at Silwick and takes them around the cliff edges, seeing sights such as the Berga Stack and Erne's stack. The wildlife, red granite cliffs and stunning views all make for a beautiful long walk around a stunning part of the Island. The two love to sit and have a peerie picnic at the top of the cliff, and the views are absolutely breath taking. West is best!
Autumn Rain - Westerskeld - https://avrilthomsonsmith.com/products/autumn-rain-westerskeld
Eshaness
And lastly, Avril can never miss a trip to Eshaness in the summer holidays. On the drive towards the cliffs the stunning 'Dore Holm' always stands out to Avril, a steep arch that is often compared to a horse drinking from the water. She can also never resist a coffee from the Braewick cafe! When she arrives, the dramatic cliffs and Holes of Scraada are always a reminder of the unique and rugged landscape that the islands have to offer. Her favourite time to visit is after a strong westerly gale, where you get a true sense of the brutality of the North Sea. One of the most dramatic, volcanic scenes on the Isle - and if you're lucky you might see a puffin!
Above the Burn - Eshaness - https://avrilthomsonsmith.com/products/above-the-burn