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Shetland is the most northerly area of the British Isles. Lerwick, its capital, is almost equidistant from Bergen (Norway) and Aberdeen. It comprises over 100 islands, of which 15 are inhabited. Shetland has been heavily influenced by Viking culture and settlement, largely due to it being under Norse rule until 1469. The islands were until more recently largely dependent on crofting and fishing, with knitwear supplementing ones income. This was mostly undertaken by womenfolk, knitting shawls and other garments for trade and sale. This Shetland Knitwear, and the unmistakeable Fair Isle pattern, is today world acclaimed for its quality of craftmanship, intricate design and warmth of wear.
Today, economic revenue continues to include contributions of these traditional industries, however is led by oil, aquaculture and tourism.
Emigration
Shetland has exported a range of famous products for centuries: wool, lamb and knitwear, fish, ponies and in more recent years oil. But by far the most important, but perhaps less obvious, of these is people.
Not simply people, but father and mothers, wives and husbands, cousins and siblingsm uncles and aunts: whole families and generations - Sons and Daughters of Shetland.
Over the centuries, many reasons have forced or persuaded people to leave Shetland. The Clearances, as in other areas of Scotland, pushed people out of their homes to make way for sheep. Large families fought for survival, living poorly on meagre subsistence agriculture.
The temptations of travelling the world enticed many Shetland men into the Royal and Merchant Navies, and immigrant relatives relayed reports of an enriched life overseas.
Thus, the Sons and Daughters of Shetland can be found all over the world, linking a network across the seas and continents. Notably, a high population gathered in the faraway lands of New Zealand and Australia. With so many Shetlanders 'down under', it is no surprise that emigrant Shetland descendants include business tycoons and politicians such as the founders of P&O Shipping Line, Anchor Butter, two Prime Ministers of New Zealand and one of Tasmania.
The Global Shetland Network
World-wide expatriate groups have sprung up, creating an international network of groups known as Shetland Societies. These indigenous communities gather reguarly for social events, primarily to share news from home, and to keep the connection strong.
By the early 1950's, enthusiasm was growing for a return visit to Shetland. In 1960, a group of sixty 'Hamefarers' arrived in Shetland for the first 'Hamefarin' or 'Home-Coming'. The event was an outstanding success, and led to another in 1985, and a Millenium Hamefarin in 2000.
Relatives returning to Shetland always receive a very warm and spirited welcome.
Newsletters of each Shetland Society keep the ex-Shetlanders in touch with news of their Islands. Furthermore, over 40,000 local news publications are sent out from Shetland each year and over 50,000 people visit the local news site a year.
