Two iconic Shetland species – puffins and ponies – are celebrated in print with the publication of a pair of new books. Genevieve White catches up with the authors ...
Puffins and ponies are near the top of the "must do" list for many visitors to Shetland.
The curious seabirds are the subject of Kevin Morgan’s Puffins: Life on the Atlantic Edge while Catherine Munro’s The Ponies at the Edge of the World tells the story of the Shetland pony.
With summer being the season for experiencing close encounters with the natural world, Promote Shetland spoke to both authors about their respective books.
Kevin Morgan describes Puffins: Life on the Atlantic Edge as being “the product of many years of sitting on remote cliffs across the British Isles”. As you might expect, the photographer and naturalist has experienced some challenging weather in the making of his book. However, his desire to capture the exploits of these loveable birds has sustained him through many a soaking.
The book is also an attempt to share the plight of the puffin. For this little bird, despite its air of clownish insouciance, faces a variety of dangers: overfishing, pollution and changes brought about by global warming to name a few. Morgan hopes to raise awareness of these challenges, and says his book is: “…more than just a photographic project”.
Morgan’s fascination with puffins is as much to do with the places the birds inhabit as the birds themselves. He explains: “Whilst the puffins are the main draw for me, it was always a combination of the birds and the sense of adventure and tranquillity I feel from exploring these remote islands, which truly ignited my passion to document their lives.”
Thanks to his considerable experience, Morgan is well-placed to offer tips to hopeful puffin spotters. He recommends taking a trip to see them in the early evening when they return from a day’s fishing out at sea. According to Morgan, Shetland boasts many fantastic puffin-watching spots, but he names Hermaness National Nature Reserve, on the island of Unst as his personal favourite. He says of the reserve: “It's not just the puffins which make this place so special, it's the awe-inspiring coastline, and the feeling of remoteness at Britain's most northerly point.”
The best bit of advice I can give to first time puffin spotters is just be patient, sit and watch. Puffins are such inquisitive birds; over time they will probably be more interested in you than vice versa.
He adds: “The best bit of advice I can give to first time puffin spotters is just be patient, sit and watch. Puffins are such inquisitive birds; over time they will probably be more interested in you than vice versa. This rule also applies to any budding photographers, hoping to capture these amazing birds.”
Puffins: Life on the Atlantic Edge is available is available to pre-order.
Catherine Munro’s book, The Ponies at the Edge of the World, tells three interconnected stories.
The first of these describes the history of the Shetland pony and examines the way in which the pony’s historic characteristics have been carefully preserved by Shetlanders. The second story critiques and explores traditional narratives of domestication, comparing these with the more communicative relationship between Shetlanders and ponies. Meanwhile, the third story recounts Munro’s personal experience of moving to Shetland, and her reflections on home and what that means to her.
Of course, Shetland ponies are universally acknowledged to be adorable, with their woolly coats, thick manes and their diminutive stature. But Munro’s fascination with the ponies goes much deeper than the cuteness factor.
She says: “The story of Shetland ponies is a story of love and survival against the odds. They are such an important part of the islands’ lives and landscapes. Because they are so intelligent and hardy, they cost little to keep. They could live out on the hill without much need of food or shelter while providing important resources for crofters.
“What I love is how these ponies of the past are still remembered, but not in a way that is nostalgic. People want to encourage and maintain historic traits of hardiness, intelligence and adaptability in the ponies they breed but they do so in a way that is responsive to individual ponies’ needs and the different opportunities available for Shetland ponies today.
"I often think that the ponies of the past are somehow still present today, in the stories of hardy croft ponies and in the bloodlines of herds on the hill today and that through working with ponies, people connect to local histories while also working towards positive island futures.”
The community is fantastic and there is such freedom for the kids. I love the landscape and the opportunity to see wildlife like puffins and whales.
Of course, it’s not just the ponies who stole Munro’s heart. She admits to having completely fallen in love with Shetland after her first visit in 2012. She adds: “I have now been in Shetland seven years and there is so much I love about it. The community is fantastic and there is such freedom for the kids. I love the landscape and the opportunity to see wildlife like puffins and whales.”
Catherine Munro’s The Ponies at the Edge of the World was published by Penguin, in May 2022.
