Learning about the Vikings

This is Dr Andrew Jennings who runs the part of the University of the Highlands & Islands Centre for Nordic Studies that is based at the North Atlantic Fisheries College in Shetland.

He is an expert on Vikings and yes that is a plastic Thor's Hammer behind him. His office also has the most fabulous view of Scalloway and it's harbour.

Despite the plane from Edinburgh being delayed by 4 hours because of fog at Sumburgh I managed to make a pre-arranged visit to him and I was glad to have done do.

His new distance learning MLitt on Island Studies sounds fascinating and the discussion we had about Norse influence on the various Scottish islands was very informative. His work on Viking sites is also intruiging - especially Udal & Bornish in Uist.

I am on Shetland because the first of the summer Cabinets is being held here tomorrow.