Shetland.org

Feature Articles

This part of the website opens a window on what’s happening in Shetland at the moment. We’ve news of achievements and inventions. We preview important events in the Shetland calendar. We introduce you to some more Shetlanders. Think of these pages as a magazine. If you have a story to tell, please get in touch.

July 2010 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in July 2010. Headlines: Young People Achieve Duke Of Edinburgh Awards; Another Shetland School Wins Inspectors’ Praise; Doors Open at Local Homes; Shetland Arts Director Joins Board Of Creative Scotland; Innovative Shetland Lace Designs On Display; Hamefarin Celebrations’ Legacy Includes New Shetland Anthology; Activities Galore in Hectic Shetland Summer; Flavour of Shetland Displays The Best From The Isles; Aberdeen Convention Offers Rare Glimpse Of Ancient Dance; Viking Invaders Included Mice; Unst Bus Shelter Continues to Hit Headlines. Read More

June 2010 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in June 2010. Headlines: Shetland Architect Wins Lifetime Achievement Award; New Shetland Business Network Launched; Children’s Theatre Comes to Shetland; Shetland Revs Up For Classic Motor Show; Shetland Poet Is Joint Winner of National Award; Primary School Wins Inspectors’ Praise; Shetland Goes Digital; Striking Work At Museum’s Pier House; Sculptures, Carvings And Castings On Show At Da Gadderie; More Swimming Success; Hundreds Head For Shetland Hamefarin. Read More

May 2010 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in May 2010. Headlines: Shetland Mussel Farmer Impresses At MIT; Shetland Swimmers Make Waves In Glasgow; Shetland Gains Global Geopark Status; Seal Research Gets Under Way; Puffins Feature In Latest Shetland Webcams; Things As They Used To Be; Bill Bailey Proves To Be Hot Ticket; And Folk Festival Concerts Sell Out; Shetland Museum And Archives To Host DNA Conference; Calvin Cheers On Ross County In Famous Victory; Piglet Gains Worldwide Following. Read More

April 2010 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in April 2010. Headlines: Fetlar Film Plans May Feature Major Name; Shetland Dancers Head For Delhi; Award For The Red Show; Sheepdog Recovers After Winter Wanderings; Gallery Visitors Dip Into Surrealism; New Shetland Dialect Website Launches; Shetland Textile Working Museum Finds New Home; Roman Settlement In Shetland Confirmed In Dramatic Archaeological Find; Return of Simon King Among Many Features On Shetland. Read More

March 2010 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in March 2010. Headlines: Fiddler’s Bid win through; Aly Bain Meets Nicola Benedetti; Simon King Series Boosts Interest In Shetland; A Week Of Indian Classical Dance; Cross-Country Running Offers Tough Challenge; School Student Designs New, Re-usable Shopping Bag; New Exhibition Shows New Work By Local Artists; More Mirrie Dancers; Freight Services Strengthened By New Ship; Jazz Film Receives Scottish Première In Shetland; Kurdish Writer Takes Up Residency; Snow Adds Sparkle To Winter Landscape. Read more

February 2010 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in February 2010. Headlines: Simon King Reveals His Shetland Diaries; Nordic Tone: Shetland Connects In Glasgow; Shetland Bus Story Told Through Music; ‘Long Gone Lonesome’ Reaches Glasgow; Fiddlers’ Bid Nominated For Another Award; Investment Encouraged In Oil And Gas West of Shetland; Sports Successes For Young Shetlanders; Mootie Mice Sought; Lerwick Has Least Card Fraud In Britain; Alyn Cosker Quartet Plays Jazz Concerts; Up Helly Aa Streams Live; Shetland Wool Used In New Museum Blinds; Shetland Promoted At London Boat Show; Abby Offers Good Advice On Shetland Move. Read more

January 2010 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in January 2010. Headlines: Longer Nights Cheered By Fire Festivals; Shetland Aurora Borealis Attracts Enthusiasts And Art Project; Lighthouse Inspires Creative Bookbinding; Shetland Webcams Attract Worldwide Interest; Latest New Residents Dress Warmly For Winter; Broadband Project Reaches Its Target; Shetland Leads On Rare Bird Sightings; 2010: An Eventful Year In Prospect; Seasonal Tale by Ann Cleeves Features On BBC Radio 4; Olympia Success For Young Shetland Rider. Read more

December 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in December 2009. Headlines: More Film Crews On The Way?; Nine Groups Win Local Environmental Awards; Smoked Salmon Pastrami From Shetland Wins Food Award; Major Supermarket Fails To Thwart Puffin Poo; Schools Art Show Reveals Wealth Of Young Talent; Crafts Show Impresses With High Quality Work On Display; Calendar Girls (And Boys) Raise Cash For Charity; Island Meteorologist’s Work Features In Magazine Article; Shetland Musicians Lift Awards In Dumfries; Hong Kong Hockey Star Is From Shetland; Shetland Celebrates Variety Of Yule Traditions; Christmas In The Air. Read more

The Tall Ships Races: A Shetland Spectacle

In 2011, from 21 to 24 July, Lerwick will once again host the Tall Ships Races, Europe’s most spectacular sailing event. The Tall Ships Races have been held since 1956 and feature between 70 and 100 sail training vessels from between fifteen and twenty countries. Read more

November 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in November 2009. Headlines: Shetland Donations Back Development In Tamil Nadu; Changes In Albanian Aid Arrangements; Viking Longhouse Proposed In Unst; Scalloway Gets New Museum; Even More Killer Whales; Festival And Play Celebrate Shetland Musician; Danish Success For Shetland Table Tennis Player; Camping Böd Is Top Tip; Holiday Accommodation Wins Award; Up Helly Aa Has New Website; Varied Music And Dance In November; Lots On Offer For Film Fans; Shetland Dance Project To Appear On ITV’s People’s Millions; Shetland Musicians Nominated For Awards; Shetland Takes On Role Of Neptune; Remarkable Resident Passes Away. Read more

October 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in October 2009. Headlines: Special Exhibition Recalls Remarkable Discovery; Derelict Mansion Offered Lifeline; Sumburgh Head Lighthouse Secures Heritage Lottery Funds; Second Shetland Food Festival Tickles Palates; Business Advice On Hand; Autumn Music Programme Caters For All Tastes; Fiddler’s Bid Album Wins More Praise; Shetland Exhibitors Take Part In Offshore Europe 2009; Islands Feature In Norwegian Television Series; Vikings Also Welcome; Shetland Mussels Recognised Again; Shetland Marinas Offer Great Sailing Bases; Open Exhibition Reveals Many Talents; Shetland Motorists Miss Out On Pothole Experience; Well-maintained Shetland roads mean no claims for damage to vehicles; Going Rural Is Good For You. Read more

Shetland and the Global Classroom

The Anderson High School in Lerwick, Shetland, is the centre of an international educational initiative linking schools all around the world. The aim is to build knowledge, insight and understanding between young people in very different countries. Find out more about this fascinating project here: Read more.

September 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in September 2009. Headlines: The Food Programme Samples Shetland Sunday Teas; Agricultural Show Season In Full Swing; Shetland Ponies Return To Their Roots; Another Successful Fundraiser; Louis de Bernières Headlines Wordplay; Nicholas Barnham Celebrates Shetland; Simon King In Love With Shetland; More From Fiddler’s Bid; Exam Success Bodes Well For Young Shetlander; Gypsy Swing At Shetland Guitar Festival; Hugh MacDiarmid Remembered; Shetland Food Tempts Edinburgh Festival Visitors; Serene Joins Shetland Fleet; Student Of The Year Celebrates Success. Read more

August 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in August 2009. Headlines: Shetland Enjoys Two Years Of Reunions; Exhibitions Show Breadth of Shetland Artists' Creativity; Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag Launch New Album; At Last: Rhubarb Recipes; Anne Cleeves Recalls Fair isle; Whale And Dolphin Watchers Rewarded; Mystery Of Gunnister Man To Be Explored; Thousandth Cruise Ship Docks; Tall Ships' Races Preparations Begin; Museum and Archives Continues To Draw Visitors; Shetland Community Support New Centre; Sea Swimmers Boost Charity Funds. Read more

July 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in July 2009. Headlines: Shetland Wildlife Celebrated In Annual Festival; Sustainable Cosmetics Boost Shetland Firm’s Prospects; Shetland Museum And Archives Nominated In Lottery Awards; Sparkling Performances, Fascinating Talks And Sunny Days Feature In Johnsmas Foy; Shetland Athletes Compete In Åland; Information Sought On Emigrants; Shetland Features In Queen’s Birthday MBEs; Shetland Mussel Firm Honoured In National Awards; Flag Day Competition Winner Announced; New Shetlander Promotes Island Life. Read more

June 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in June 2009. Headlines: Shetland Wins Spring Clean Award; Shetland To Become Geopark?; Viking Theme For 2009 Johnsmas Foy; Conference Also Considers Shetland In Viking Times; Frequent Orca Sightings Thrill Visitors; Swan Has Full Sailing Programme; …And Shetland Is On Polar Bear’s Route; Exhibition Pays Tribute To Noted Painter; Agency Will Help Promote Shetland; St Ninian’s Isle Treasure Inspires Beautiful Hats: Sunny Start To Summer; New Book Encourages Children To Use Traditional Dialect; New Council Chief Executive Takes Up Post; Shetland Cyclist Wins Another Medal; Young Player Wins Musician Award; Chef Jean-Christophe Novelli Waxes Lyrical About Shetland. Read more

May 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in May 2009. Headlines: Another Successful Shetland Folk Festival; Bird Observatory: More Cash Offered; Martin Clunes Begins Island Journey In Shetland; Young Musicians Win Awards; Sail Training Offers Great Experience To Young People; Craft Work Features In Archaeological Programme; International Conference Looks At Island Cultures; Work On New Arts Venue To Start Soon; Canadian Expats Enjoy Shetland Oatcakes; Flag Day: Unusual Sightings Sought; Bag Scheme Aims To Cut Carbon; Two Shetlanders Feature In List Of 'Green Heroes'; Biogas From Fish Could Be Future Fuel; Television Crime Series Moves A Step Closer; Innovative New Building Brings Business Support Services Together; Stick Insects Make Rare Appearance; Record Numbers Clean Up Shetland; Lots To See At Shetland's Galleries; Osteopath Helps Otter Back To Health. Read more

April 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in April 2009. Headlines: Shetland Salmon On Menu At Last Night's G20 Dinner; Shetland Wins Scotland's Top Planning Award; New Body Will Promote Shetland; 'Bards In TheBog' - First Poems Appear; Bird Observatory Among European Cash Recipients; Norway Connection Promoted; Investment In Sports Facilities Brings Rewards; Wind Farm Proposals On Public Display; Isles Get REady For Folk Festival; Guernsey Looked To Shetland In Setting Up New Tribunal; Art Exhibition Wins Acclaim; Another Successful Music Festival Displays Young Talent; Viking Age Continues To Fascinate; Ann Cleeves' Crime Quartet Attracts Television Interest; ...But World War 1 Tale Is Stranger Than Fiction; Lonely Planet Post Shetland Images. Read more

March 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in March 2009. Headlines: New Faces At NAFC Marine Centre; CLAN Appeal Passes £200,000; Bog Standard Poetry Wanted; Craft Meets New Technology; More Edinburgh Flights And Link To Cardiff; Sumburgh Lighthouse Plans Move Forward; Top Job Available; Young Enterprise Company Wins Another Award; Ann Cleeves' Latest Book Now Available; Shetland Drama Festival Under Way; Bulgarian Opera Treat at Brae; Shetland Performers Reflect On Celtic Connections Success; Arrangements for One Life Live at Olympia Confirmed. Read more

February 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in February 2009. Headlines: TS Eliot Prize Comes To Shetland; ...And Shetland Comes To London; New Shetland In Statistics Out Now; Recession Yet To Bite In Shetland; Big Plans For Major Archaeological Site; Innovative Film Gets Up Helly Aa Preview in Shetland; Shetland Company Among Those Winning Place At MIT, Boston; Wireless Broadband To Serve Small Shetland Communities; And finally... Read more

January 2009 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in January 2009. Headlines: A Season Of Fire Festivals; History In The Kitchen; Projects And People Gain Environmental Awards; More Vikings; And More Crime Writing. Read more

Shetland Christmas Past

Accounts of earlier Christmases in Shetland barely refer to ‘Christmas’ at all. The festival was Yule, which had ancient pagan roots and was closely linked to the turning of the year and the lengthening of the days. As Christianity spread, old festivals like Yule were adapted in order to fit a new Christian calendar. Read more

December 2008 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in December 2008. Headlines: Shetland Voted Best Place To Live In Scotland; Shetland Amenity Trust Wins Green Award; Shetland Museum And Archives Scoops Two More Awards; HIE Helps Firms Keep Young Workers in Shetland; Shetland Gets Ready For Festive Season; Shetlander In Bobsleigh Success. Read more

November 2008 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in November 2008. Headlines: A Very Busy Year Ahead In 2011; Will Self Writes About Shetland; Local Writer Honoured By The King Of Norway; Move to Reduce Carbon; Food Festival Hits Headlines; Praise for Shetland Postal Services. Read more

October 2008 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in October 2008. Headlines: Food Festival Builds Foundation for the Future; Great Response to Allotments Proposal; Better Connection to Norway Next Summer; Excavation Of Böd Should Reveal Hanseatic Secrets; Whales, Otters, Seals, Hares and Hedgehogs: But Foxes?; Rare Birds Attract Autumn Migration of Birders; New Cinema And Music Venue A Step Closer. Read more

September 2008 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in September 2008. Headlines: Jean-Christophe Novelli Tops Food Festival Bill; Unique Partnership Supports Seaside Awards; Hnefatafl All The Rage In Fetlar; Allotments May Offer Opportunity For Frustrated Gardeners; Foodies at the Festival; Cherry Lee Mewis Is Star Of Blues Festival; Quality Management Impresses In Step Awards; A Feast Of Film; Foula Electricity Scheme; Bressay Burnt Mound; Peerie Willie Guitar Festival; The Sunshine Islands. Read more

August 2008 Newsletter

This is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers in August 2008. Headlines: Best Boiled Tattie, Anyone?; Community Garden to be re-erected in North Roe; On The Track Of Orcas; Programme Announced For Seventh Book Festival; Food Festival Plans Develop; More Good Food News. Read more

July 2008 Newsletter

Newsletter sent out to our subscribers in July. Headlines: Shetland Education Service Praised In Government Report, Shetland Tops Another Chart, Italian Slow Food Enthusiasts Tour Shetland, Viking Unst in the running to win a National Lottery Award, Shetland Food Directory Launched, Norwegian Connection Renewed, Zero Carbon House Attracts Worldwide Attention, Johnsmas Foy Offered Wide Range of Attractions, July Sees First Nature Festival. Read more

History Alive: The Swan

A familiar sight in Shetland waters is the restored sail-fishing vessel, Swan, which, during the 1990s, was rescued and restored by a group of concerned enthusiasts. Read more

The Shetland Folk Festival

Each year, around the beginning of May, Shetland’s indefatigable Folk Festival Society stages what’s generally acknowledged to be one of the best events of its kind anywhere. Read more

How Shetland marks midsummer: The Johnsmas Foy

Every year, the people of Shetland celebrate midsummer in the Johnsmas Foy, a recently-revived festival that, centuries ago, used to mark the arrival of the Dutch herring fleet in the islands. An exciting line-up of local and international events is in place for the 2008 Foy... Read more