Shetland Info?

Subject: Shetland Info?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 03:00 PM

We're off to Shetland for a week on the 23rd of this month. While we have some contacts there and will hopefully be pointed in the right direction, has anyone got any current suggestions for finding music?

Regards

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: Effsee
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 03:23 PM

"The Lounge" in Lerwick seems to be the place. Try Googling it.

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 04:28 PM

Dont the Wrigleys run a cafe on Shetlands ?? There was a thread Back Then that came up with some info !

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: Effsee
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 04:30 PM

That's the Orkneys Terry!

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: GUEST,Mr Bean
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 04:33 PM

The Wrigleys live on the Orkneys.They have a cafe which has music sessions.
Mr Bean.

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 07:07 PM

Its an age thing !! Its not often I am right , but I was wrong THIS time !!

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 07:16 PM

The cafe also has a music shop attached to it. We're looking forward to moving there this week ! (So an Orkney gathering could be on the cards)

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: Effsee
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 09:10 PM

Thread creep alert!

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 07:01 AM

Refresh.

Regards

p.s. Don't even mention Orkney! Been there, drunk that...

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: Effsee
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 09:14 AM

Skullsplitter Martin?

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 11:40 AM

I was just in Shetland at the end of June. Trad music seemed to be rather spotty in the hinterlands, and tourist info didn't know a lot about it. I saw posters for barn dances and whatnot when I got out to the areas that were having them.

But in Lerwick, I had very good luck at the Douglas Arms. They have a session, posted and advertised as such, on Tuesday nights. The night I was there, the bar crowd was very thin - too bad considering the two fiddlers in attendance were absolutely EXCELLENT! They were really sawing up a storm, and it was a pleasure to be there. There were 3 other accompanying musicians, and I'm sorry to say I can remember nothing about them, blinded by the brilliant fiddling as I was! There were no songs, whatsoever. It was a strictly tune session.
Good luck and have fun!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 12:44 PM

Thanks, Barbara. Josephine fiddles and we both sing - so we have two bases covered!

Regards

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: Richard in Manchester
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 02:28 PM

I spent three wonderful summer months in Shetland a few years ago. I thought I liked traditional music before that, but sitting in at some of the sessions there gave me a real kick in the pants and showed me what it was really all about.

Anyone know if Debbie Scott is still playing?

The Lounge had regular sessions, and there were one or two other places in Lerwick. There was a hotel up on the west coast a few miles north of Scalloway that had sessions.

What a fantastic place, not a tree in sight and gales howling up the voes most of the time....

I went into a camera shop in Lerwick and asked if they rented equipment out - specifically a pair of binoculars so I could do some birdwatching. Guy looks at me a bit strange, and says "Oh no, we don't do that sort of thing here". Being schooled in Manchester manners I just thought, huh, snotty git. Then he says "But I could lend you mine if you like". Talk about being put in your place.

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: GUEST,Gogs
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 02:44 PM

I'd recommend The Lounge in Lerwick. The place itself is a bit of a dump (lots of pine cladding and linolium). But Wednesday nights are interesting (probably at the weekend as well, but I've never been around at that time). Around 10 at night, assorted fiddlers and banjo players wander in. You never know who's going to turn up (and neither do they). I'm not a big fan of fiddle music, but this stuff is terrific.

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 05:58 AM

Thanks for that, folks.

Regards

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 06:39 PM

Just back, having had a great time. Good session in Da Lounge - if a little top-heavy with piano accordions! Excellent, fiddle-led session in Douglas Arms (with some bizarre passing traffic..). And attendance at a Shetland wedding somewhere in between!

Thanks again.

Regards

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: The Shambles
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 10:52 AM

". Being schooled in Manchester manners I just thought, huh, snotty git. Then he says "But I could lend you mine if you like". Talk about being put in your place.

That sounds about right.

On the rare occasions went went in - the shop in Lerwick would not let my wife pay for a pair of jeans without a cheque card.

However, the same shop did often sent three different sized pairs out to her on the bus. The package was left in a public telephone box and the shop expected her to return the two pairs that did not fit in the same way and to pay for the pair she selected by post. And by cheque..............

Martin I am sorry I missed this thread before you went but I am glad you enjoyed your visit.

Subject: RE: Shetland Info?
From: The Shambles
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 11:18 AM

Shetland sessions