I live in Shetland AMA

[Sheltietime]

Just like the Outer Hebrides one, but I live in Shetland... ask away

I've been to the Lerwick Up Helly Aa once as a teenager. To me its too big and commercial and I'm not too fond of the fact women can't participate other than cooking in the dance halls or attending as guests. I always found it a bit weird that the women just sorta sat there waiting for a squad to come in so they could dance, then sat and waited for the next squad. It's a great thing to see the procession through the streets though. 1000 guizers with flaming torches in January regardless of the weather.

I've taken part in Up Helly Aa in Unst (Uyeasound and Norwick) a few times in squads - no stupid restrictions just lots of fun and alcohol.

Winniesalot - Unst is a bit marmite I guess. Its properly remote - to get to the mainland its drive to ferry, ferry across to Yell, drive to next ferry, ferry across to mainland, then 45 min drive to town.

There's maybe 600 people living there. It can feel very cut off from everything, very insular. BUT its beautiful, very dramatic landscapes up there, beautiful sandy beaches.
I love it but I have aunts, uncles, cousins and friends there so always people to visit and things to do.

Do I know John Laurenson? I don't know.. which one? :D

drquin - If you ever go to Unst aim to go for Unstfest - loads of different things on.

Very odd to see all the love for Unst! My dads been there about 10 years I think.

A friend was killed in the shetlands in a motorbike accident last summer and I wondered whether many people turn out for funerals because everyone knows each other, or if it’s just family/close friends?

I’m from an island but it’s muxh larger.

Winnie - I've just registered to say I know your partner. He changed my life when the island im on had a series of locums who just passed the buck... Your partner listened and took action and I will be forever grateful. He inspired me to make steps towards working in healthcare.

I've also swam with his mum! In January in unst!

Women can get more involved with UHA now, it's changing slowly - but lerwick seems to be the one most dragging its heels on this one. There was even a female jarl a few years ago.

The weather was incredible a couple of weeks ago. Warm but not sweltering - although you should hear the whining if it goes over 20 degrees!

Women have been involved in all the other UHA's for years - the first I was in a squad was in Unst around 25 years ago - but they can't take part in the Lerwick one at all other than attending the halls and there seems to be no sign of that changing.
The female Jarl was the south mainland UHA a few years back I think.

Shelter, thank you for your very detailed reply

Sheltie not Shelter - sorry

Do you feel a cultural connection to Scandinavia or Norway?

Definitely. Shetland used to be under Norwegian rule and many of the place names and much of the dialect has its roots in old Norse language.
We're actually only part of the UK now as we were given away as security for a dowry for some Norwegian princess to a Scottish king and as the money was never paid, Scotland kept Shetland!
There's a lot of Viking heritage here and many archaeological sites.

It's fair to say that many people would define themselves as a Shetlander rather than Scottish or British. Not through any great desire to be an independent island, its just who we are.

Hey, I’m sorry to revive this old thread but wondering about internet connection in Shetland, is it fast enough for streaming? Is broadband available?

Do you have any children?

What kind of house do you live in and how far are you from local shops and other people?

What kind of work do you do?

Cake fridges. Are they just a tourist thing?

@IntemperateSpirits Hey, I’m in the process of moving to Shetland after having bought a property without seeing it in person. In my research, I found out the cake fridges are a thing, they’re for locals and tourists alike, and that other honesty boxes are a feature of Shetland, people leave their wares in the box and buyers leave the money, it sounds very adorable ☺️

Do you have a Shetland pony?

How's it affected the dialect? Can you give an example? Like saying muck in Yorkshire?

@immersivereader Sorry to butt in on OP’s thread again, but I found wonderful videos on YouTube with a local Shetland lady poet, she gives examples of the dialect which has norse influence. For example a ‘peerie smoorkin’ means a ‘little kiss’ IIRC

@immersivereader Here is the lovely poet lady Christine De Luca, speaking the Shetland dialect:

Ooh thanks so much automatic, that's right up my alley!

@immersivereader My pleasure, she’s lovely and sounds so soothing ☺️ I’m having fun finding out about Shetland. I look forward to the peace and quiet, it looks like the perfect place to read, write, make art and music in!