April 2012
What's happening in Shetland in May 2012
As the weather gets warm, the wild flowers grow in the roadside ditches and the seabird cliffs fill up during May in Shetland. The month sees some of the islands best weather, and the nights get lighter. In May the main events in Shetlands calendar begin - amongst these, the Shetland Folk Festival.
Now in its 32rd year, the Shetland Folk Festival begins on Thursday 3rd May until Sunday, 6th May 2012, and draws performers and visitors from across the world. The fun begins though on the unofficial opening night - 
Wednesday 2nd May on board the NorthLink ship from Aberdeen, when performers crack open fiddle and guitar cases and play the whole night through - nearly all 216 miles from Aberdeen to Shetland! Perfomers at the 2012 Shetland Folk Festival include:
Admiral Fallow, Alison Brown Acoustic Quartet with John Doyle and Casey Driessen, Alison, Brian and May, Allans Magic, Baltic Crossing, Birls Aloud, Bryan Gear and Violet Tulloch, Casino Feet, Corran Raa, Country and Northern, Cullivoe Fiddlers, Evergreen, Ewen and Martha Thomson, Fiddle Attraction, Fiddle Finale, First Foot Soldiers, Freda Leask & Shoormal, Haltadans, Hom Bru, J.P Cormier & The Elliott Brothers, Jeanna Leslie & Siobhan Miller, Jennifer McCormick Trio, Jimmie Macgregor, K. V Express, KAN, Kansa, Kasai Masai, Laeverick, Lana Elaine, Calum Morrison and Stephen Henderson, Leeshinat, Lise Sinclair, Lori Watson & Rule Of Three, Mahogany, Manran, Mirka, New Tradition, Northmavine Fiddle & Accordion Club, Pete Stack & The Rayburns, Rack n Ruin, Reesel, Rory Ellis with Perry Stenback and Steffan Sorensen, Ross Ainslie & Jarlath Henderson, Ross Couper & Tom Oakes, Ryan Couper and Jonny Polson, Sheila Henderson Band, Shetland Fiddlers Society, Shetlands' Heritage Fiddlers, Sprag Session, Stenkle, 
Terry Balfour and Dòl Eoin, The Dirty Lemons, The Donald Anderson Band, The Experience, The Hot Seats, The Wisharts, Tim Edey & Brendan Power, Toni & The Guy, Treacherous Orchestra, Tunester and Vair.
Also in May is the Shetland Classic Motor Show - which takes place every two years - and is regarded as one of Scotland's premier motoring events. On display are over 150 number of classic cars, motorcycles, military vehicles and steam traction engines. Tours have been arranged for motor owners to join and there is a full day guided coach tour of Yell and Unst. There is also a foy organised for visitors to dance to traditional Shetland music and enjoy a traditional supper and refreshments.
As for places to visit in May, we'd highly recommend a visit to the island of Whalsay. Whalsay was called “Hvalr-øy” – the island of whales by the Vikings. It's worth keeping your eye out on the 30 minute ferry crossing from Laxo to Symbister as the waters around Whalsay are a good place to spot porpoises and occasional dolphins, minke whales and orcas!
Despite the Viking name, Whalsay is more often referred to as The Bonny Isle. As crofting is not a major industry, few animals graze on the land and so in spring and summer, Whalsay is covered with wildflowers - making it the ideal island to visit in May. One of Shetland’s rarest plants, Sea Aster, even grows on Whalsay.
Whalsay is a five mile long, peat-covered island, and is the sixth largest Shetland island (and amongst the most densely populated of Shetland's islands). Whalsay has been known throughout history for the sailing abilities of the men and Symbister harbour is home to some of Europe’s largest fishing vessels - huge pelagic trawlers which are built for deep sea fishing, and keep their catches fresh over prolonged periods at sea. 
Whalsay residents focused on the sea because of problems with the land - the island was acquired the Bruce Family in the 1600s who subsequently oppressed the residents for 3 centuries.
In 1823 Symbister House was built by Robert Bruce (as a way to ensure his heirs could not inherit his fortune) This spectacular building now serves as the island school and has a wooden boat sculpture in its' grounds.
Other attractions on the island include Sandwick beach, the UK's most northerly golf club (perhaps the only one that has an airstrip as a hazard!), a museum dedicated to the German merchants of the Hansa and a superb leisure centre with swimming pool where visitors are welcome.
There are many prehistoric sites on Whalsay, from hilltop burial cairns and prehistoric field boundaries to the two Neolithic houses of Yoxie and the Beenie Hoose. These houses evolved over 100s of years and the neolithic community here also built their own burial place overlooking their fields.
Finally during the 1930, Whalsay was also the home of Scots Communist poet Christopher Grieve, also known as Hugh MacDiarmid. A poor man, he was unknown outside literary circles and regarded in the island as an oddity, although his wife Valda and son Michael were well-liked. MacDiarmid wrote a great deal of poetry on Whalsay (including On a Raised Beach) but was called for war work in 1942 and never returned. His former home, Sodom (from the Old Norse su∂r-heimr - the southerly homestead) is now a camping böd, run by Shetland Amenity Trust.
Booking directly with NorthLink Ferries on www.northlinkferries.co.uk is cheaper than booking 
with another website and we never charge for any amendments made to your booking!
