Swinna Ness
SUMMER AND WINTER
Explore the dramatic seasonal shifts of the north at The Sky Trail Swinna Ness. From the midsummer ‘Simmer Dim’ to the first breath of winter, this stop captures the changing light of Unst.
Simmer Dim
Under the amber glow of the midnight sun, the song In Simmer Dim follows an old man reflecting on his youth at sea. It captures the bittersweet nostalgia of a Shetland summer, where light never leaves the sky.
Performed by Davie Henry, the song preserves a musical heritage passed down from Bobby Isbister and his mother, honoring an oral tradition that spans generations. Shetland for Wirds.
Seasonal Shifts at Sky Trail Swinna Ness
Just as our summers are defined by the ethereal “Simmer Dim,” our winters are shaped by the raw beauty of the long dark.
Experience this shift through the poetry of Jack Renwick (1924–2010). His works, First Snow, Winter Comes In, and Mune Gaet, evoke the quiet essence of the Unst landscape. These 2021 recordings feature Angela Fraser, created exclusively for Wild Skies Shetland.
Swinna Ness [W3W: wedding.vase.surveyors]
