Officially
part of the United Kingdom, the Shetland Islands are certainly Scottish but are
not part of the 'tartan culture' of Scotland, and instead have their own special
identity. Gaelic is not spoken anywhere in Shetland, but instead there are
strong remnants of a unique Shetland dialect which is closely related to both
'Auld Scots' and the ancient 'Norn' language that pervaded the North Sea
countries of Norway, Denmark, Shetland, Faroe and Iceland in Viking times.
Indeed
Shetland only became part of Scotland in 1469 when King Christian of Denmark
pledged the islands as a dowry for his daughter on her marriage to King James
III of Scotland.
People
have lived in Shetland for over 5000 years and evidence from the earliest
Neolithic settlers through to the Bronze and Iron ages and on to the Pictish and
Viking eras can be seen in many small museums and Interpretive Centres all over
Shetland.
Arguably the strongest and most persistent influence on present-day Shetland is
that of the Vikings, however the evidence is that they did not come to rape and
pillage but to farm, settle peacefully and raise families. The influence of
their language, culture and traditions is still to the fore.
The islands still retain some of the centuries of Norwegian influence,
particularly in place names, cultural links and business trade. The most
northerly outpost of the UK, Shetland has been described as the best way for
British holidaymakers to go 'abroad' without a passport.
Related
to the Viking heritage of Shetland is the spectacular
Up Helly A' fire festival,
held every January, which is well worth making a special trip to Shetland.
See our special pages about Up Helly A' here.
Other
events have also shaped Shetland's history, such as what became known as 'The
Shetland Bus', a Shetland based boat operation to and from Norway, that
took place during the Second World War (1939 - 1945).
Many gave of their lives in the extremely hazardous boat trips
between Shetland and Norway, to assist the Norwegian resistance movement. The
conditions under which they operated, the difficulties of crossing the North Sea
at night, with no lights and far from any possible help, can scarcely be
imagined today.
Always present in the minds of those on board would have been
the threat of discovery and the risk of being shot at by German planes or boats,
and possibly captured when they finally reached the Norwegian coast.
Consider the following possibilities:-
