Learn About Shetland
Creative Industries
Enlarge photo of Burra Bears
Innovative craft projects have flourished in Shetland.
Shetland has always been a creative community. Archaeological sites have produced evidence of stone carving, metalwork and jewellery and we know that our forebears were very active weavers. The islands have a particularly strong textile heritage, having lent a name to a particular sort of fine knitwear. Fair Isle, 25 miles (40km) to the south of the Shetland mainland, has its own very special tradition and patterns. Music has for long been at the heart of Shetland life. However, today’s Shetland has a creative economy that includes:
- Architecture
- Crafts
- Film and Digital Media
- Graphic design, including web design
- Marketing
- Music
- Performing arts and entertainments
- Software (including educational and games)
- Television, radio and internet broadcasting
- Textiles
- Visual Arts
- Writing and Publishing
All of these are based on individual creativity, skill and talent which in turn are stimulated by an outstanding environment and a remarkable heritage. They generate wealth, jobs and intellectual property. All of them are represented in Shetland and many firms and individuals run successful businesses, often making extensive use of broadband internet to do business with customers worldwide.
Work is under way in Shetland to strengthen this already vibrant sector, which we see as having lots of potential for future growth. The opening of Mareel in 2012 will bring new opportunities, especially in digital media, since it is equipped with state-of-the art sound and video studios. Thanks to investments by Faroese Telecom and the Shetland Islands Council, Shetland is now linked to Scotland and the Faroe Islands by high-capacity fibre-optic cable, greatly enhancing broadband capacity.
More In This Section…
-
Oil Industry
Despite the notable influence that it’s had on Shetland’s economy, the physical impact of the oil industry is very limited. Read more
Renewable Energy
Shetland is one of the most promising locations in the world for the development of renewable energy. Read more
-
Food and Drink
Keen cooks know that the Shetland larder is particularly well-stocked. Read more
Tourism in Shetland
More people than ever before are sampling Shetland, but the islands are unlikely to become a mass-market destination. Read more
-
Public Sector
For its size, Shetland has a large public sector, partly because the income from oil has allowed the provision of a high level of public services. Read more
Social Enterprise
There’s a long list of social enterprises in Shetland too, many coming under the umbrella of COPE. Read more
- Home
- Learn About Shetland
- Shetland Jobs
- Do Business in Shetland
- Move to Shetland
- Features
- Contact
- Sitemap
Copyright © 2007-2010 Shetland Islands Council | Visit the Shetland.org Landing Page
