Folks I have just moved from Shetland to Scotland and have lived there for 5 years. It was an amazing time of my life which could never be again. "The Island" by Ralph McTell is perfect to describe Shetland. It does go very dark in winter being so far north 60 degrees and the day is only a few hours long. everything goes grey and dead And the winter storms are fierce with the sea beating the Islands.. spring does come though and the Islands are painted with green and with wild flowers of all colours.. the sea is angry in winter and you see the big tankers coming from Sullom voe oil terminal, the oil rigs of the Brent, Alph, Claire and Shihallion fields pipe millions of gallons of oil to the nearest land mass.. Shetland,, which then transfers it th tankers that take it all over the world.. hence the song about the Braer which was a disaster shortly after the opening of the Sullom Voe terminal in the mid 70s.
All that crude oil in the sea in such a beautiful Island... The Shetland folk have the "Up helly Aa" fire festival every year in January which is the building and burning of a viking galley while dressed as Guisers of the Jarl squad pronounced Yarl-squad this is to remember their viking heritage.. this song makes me think of Zetland and the Hjatland ferry going home.. You have to go there to understand...this wonderful place and people.. Hope this makes sense.. Its a great song..
Thanks Alan