Records of 1667 state that the name The Herrah is Norse [Herath as being an ancient Scandinavian rural district] meaning a number of farms to some extent separate from the rest of the district. Originally the Herra was the west side of Whalfirth Voe, properly Utherra. East of the voe was the Inherra.
Herras seem to have been districts where the inhabitants themselves dealt with law and punishment. They may have held their own court or thing, and meted out punishment perhaps on their own gallow hill.
In Gibbets and Gallows by Brian Smith, he gives an interesting view on the Herras in Shetland.
The Herra, Yell has been described in several written documents:
A very early mention of Whalefirth is found in The Laxdala Saga where it states that in AD 890 Helgi Bjolan brought his ship to the south of the land and took all keelness, between Kollafirth and Whalefirth, and lived at Esjuberg to old age. From Helgi and Thorunn all the Islefirthers are sprung.
Cluness in his book The Shetland Isles page 205, describes the Herra as having 'fine cliffs and lonely waters and the long gash of Whalfirth with the green slopes of Birka Lees to its west'
Samuel Hibbert, 1782-1848, wrote about the voe: 'of the name of Whalefirth confined within high banks, open to the Atlantic, and behest at its entrance with dangerous rocks.'
LG Johnson, wrote that Laurence Williamson of Mid Yell evidenced a liking, respect and lifelong friendship with many of the Herra people.
The following article, written about 1902 shows Williamson's sympathy with the people and his concern for tradition.
Laurence Williamson of Mid Yell- page 92
'The Herra, in Yell, is one of the districts in Shetland most worthy of careful study by anyone truly interested in Shetland matters in their wide range. Among its inhabitants the unusual prevalence of dark eyes and dark hair infer that their fathers dwelt here long before the colonisation of the islands by the Northmen. But the Norse character of almost all the place-names, as shown by Dr Jacobsen’s researchers, prove that these Teutonic colonists settled and probably amalgamated with the former population. Ever since they have shared in the vicissitudes of Shetland history.
Sixty years ago district after district- Graveland, Lumbaster, Volaster, Windhouse, Setter and Halsigarth- have been laid waste and turned into sheep farms. All these things have left their deep impression on the people. Like a man who loses arm, foot and eye, the whole body is crippled, pines and thrives badly.
The new era has fully begun through man’s forming influences. After considerable delay and protest of two elderly men refusing to pay their rates, a new school was built; then in 1895 they got a road. For ages out of the way of shipping, it became a seat of the herring fishing. And the Crofters Act of 1886 also shows itself in the great improvement of many houses. They are now reduced to 18 families (despite the sheep farmers and the teacher).
Few people cherish more the memories of the past or its warm feelings. For ages they have been one people complexly related, and the traditions and best feelings of their race they have never let go.
During the year now closed there have been three deaths. The first was John Charleson, the blind man. “He was the very embodiment of the Spirit of the North,” said Dr Jacobsen. Common-sense, kindly, genial, his store of Northern things was boundless. Mr Burgess, or any writer on old Shetland life, would have been well advised to have thrown all their other Shetland gatherings aside, in exchange for his.'
If you are inspired to visit the Herra and have the opportunity to explore Whalefirth by boat it is the ideal method of seeing the many geos and stacks and for appreciating the length and shape of the voe, however walking around Whalefirth and the Herra is also extremely interesting and gives the opportunity to pause and reflect on the history of the place, the people who lived there and the many stories associated with them. Through these pages I intend to describe to you a tour of the Herra stopping off at many townships and places of interest on the way so as to be able to relate their stories and history. Anyone intending to follow the route, partly or wholly, would be advised to dress appropriately for walking rough terrain and to carry binoculars if possible as these are likely to come in handy on occasions.
As my friend Chas knows the Herra seashore and landmarks better than anyone I asked him if he would accompany me on my walk. He agreed and would point out and name the places of interest to me if I would relate versions of the legends and folk tales I had heard from my family to him. We decided to begin our walk at the North East corner of the voe so we headed for Lumbister.