9 Unusual Facts About Shetland

Shetland is famous for its ponies, seabirds, Viking heritage and spectacular landscapes. But scratch a little deeper and you’ll find plenty of more unusual stories and island quirks – from its very own subspecies of wildlife to a pioneering smallpox inoculator and a complete lack of umbrellas. Here are nine things you might not know about Shetland.

So while it’s a bold claim to say that “Shetlanders stocked Edinburgh Zoo with penguins”, there is a genuine Shetland connection hidden within the story.

1. It’s just “Shetland”

You might hear visitors call it “the Shetlands”, but that’s one mistake guaranteed to mark you out as a visitor. Locals simply say Shetland. No “the”, no “s” – just Shetland.

It might seem like a small distinction, but names matter, particularly in a place with such a strong sense of identity. So, when in Shetland, do as the Shetlanders do: call it Shetland. Just Shetland, nothing more, nothing less, and certainly no ‘s’ on the end.

2. Shetland has its own wildlife subspecies

Shetland’s isolation has produced some fascinating variations in its wildlife. Take the Shetland wren (Troglodytes troglodytes zetlandicus), which is darker and more heavily marked than its mainland relative, with a sturdier bill and legs. Even Fair Isle has its own wren subspecies, the Fair Isle wren.

There are Shetland-specific forms of other species too, including the Shetland field mouse and the Shetland bumblebee. And then there’s the remarkable Slender Char of Girlsta Loch, an isolated population of Arctic char that has evolved in the loch since the last Ice Age retreated.

In other words, Shetland’s wildlife has had plenty of time to do things its own way.

3. A “Shetland rose” comes in a can

Ask a Shetlander about a Shetland rose and you may not get a flower at all.

For generations, islanders have used the phrase to describe a can of McEwan’s Export – a rather more liquid interpretation of the rose than you might expect.

It’s a particular favourite – particularly under the canvas roof of a beer tent at a local regatta.

4. Shetland whalers helped bring penguins to Edinburgh

There’s a wonderfully unexpected link between Shetland’s seafaring history and the penguins of Edinburgh Zoo.

In the early 20th century, the Norwegian-founded Christian Salvesen whaling company operated from Leith and sent ships to the South Atlantic, particularly South Georgia. Many Shetlanders worked in the whaling industry and on these voyages, and live penguins were eventually brought back to Scotland.

So while it’s a bold claim to say that “Shetlanders stocked Edinburgh Zoo with penguins”, there is a genuine Shetland connection hidden within the story – one that begins thousands of miles away in the Southern Ocean, and the photographic evidence shows Shetlanders with those very penguins whose descendants live on in the zoo.

5. Shetland had its own smallpox pioneer

In 18th-century Shetland, smallpox repeatedly devastated communities, at times killing up to a third of the population. One man, John Williamson, better known as Johnnie Notions, played a remarkable role in saving thousands of lives. A self-taught seaman and weaver with a keen interest in medicine, Williamson began experimenting with smallpox inoculation in the 1770s, decades before Edward Jenner’s famous cowpox vaccination of 1796. He developed his own method, carefully storing the infectious material to reduce its potency, then making a tiny incision in the skin with a homemade knife and applying the material. His approach proved remarkably successful: a minister in Yell reported that Williamson had inoculated several thousand people without losing a single patient. Today, his headstone at Eshaness even credits him with introducing smallpox inoculation to Shetland.

6. Shetland sits at 60 degrees north

Shetland lies at roughly 60° north, putting it on a similar latitude to parts of southern Greenland and Alaska – in fact, we’re closer to the Arctic Circle than we are to London.

It’s also surprisingly far from the Scottish mainland: Bergen is considerably closer than Edinburgh, and Shetland is geographically much more closely tied to the North Atlantic and Scandinavia than its position on a map of the United Kingdom might suggest.

That northern latitude also explains one of Shetland’s most magical features: around midsummer, the islands experience exceptionally long daylight hours, with twilight lingering well into the night, known as Da Simmer Dim.

7. You’re “in” Shetland – never “on” it

Here’s another distinction that matters to locals: you are in Shetland, not on Shetland.

Likewise, you’re in Unst, in Yell and in Whalsay – not on them.

It’s an easy mistake for visitors to make, and there’s no need to panic if you get it wrong. But listen to islanders talking about their home and you’ll notice the difference immediately.

Perhaps it reflects Shetland’s Norse linguistic heritage; perhaps it’s simply an old local convention. Either way, being “in” Shetland feels fitting: the islands aren’t just somewhere you stand on, but somewhere you belong within.

8. There are very few umbrellas in Shetland

Shetland’s weather has a habit of making a mockery of umbrellas.

With strong winds a regular feature of island life, an umbrella can go from useful to useless – or airborne – remarkably quickly. Most locals simply rely on a good waterproof jacket instead.

So, if you want to instantly identify yourself as a visitor in Lerwick, there’s a simple test: open an umbrella.

You may not have it for long.

9. Shetland is a land of work

Shetland may be remote, windswept and surrounded by miles of ocean, but there’s certainly no shortage of work.

The islands have one of the lowest unemployment rates in Scotland, reflecting a diverse economy that includes fishing, aquaculture, oil, energy, construction, agriculture, public services and tourism.

It’s a fitting reminder that Shetland is far more than a picturesque collection of islands at the northern edge of Britain. It’s a working community – and has been for centuries.

So there you have it: nine reasons Shetland is considerably more unusual, more alluring, more inventive and more interesting than you might expect. And we haven’t even mentioned the Viking fire festivals, the world-famous ponies, the characterful puffins, or the thousands of sheep yet!

By Laurie Goodlad Born and raised in Shetland, Laurie loves the unique history and culture there so much that she started her own tour company offering visitors the chance to see the isles through the eyes of an islander. Find out more at www.shetlandwithlaurie.com

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