Shetland History and Traditions
Potted Shetland History
There is plenty of evidence of Neolithic people living on Shetland. Unlike other locations, there is plenty of sites left as they built in stone instead of timber. The Scourd of Brousta has provided tools dating back to 3400 BC.
There is no evidence of the Romans living here, but they did clearly trade as Archaeological remains have been found. In the 9th Century the Vikings changed direction from plundering to invasion as their homelands were overpoplated but it is not know what happened to the local populace when they arrived. The Norsemen gave it the name Shetland and used the West Nordic language, Norn, which was still used into the 19th Century.
Shetland was Christianised in the 10th Century.
In 1384 Norway was weakened by the Black Plague so in 1397 it joined the Kalmar Union. Over the next few years, Norway became increasingly under Danish control. King Christian I of Denmark and Norway got into financial difficulty so when his daughter became engaged to James III of Scotland he pawned his personal interests in Orkney and Shetland to the King of the Scots to pay the Dowry. Christian fully intended to buy the islands back by raising taxes in Denmark but this was unsuccessful. On 20th February 1472 the Northern Islands were officially annexed to Scotland.
Shetland Traditions
The Vikings arrived in around 850AD and remained for over 600 years so they definately left their mark on the islands
Kilts are the traditional dress of Scotland but on Shetland there are no clans, so no kilts. Instead Fair Isle jumpers would be the closest to Shetland attire you will see. To celebrate this, Wool Week offers lots of opportunities for lectures and visits to the many excellent all things wooly creators on the island. This is usually last week in September.
The traditional dish or reestit mutton and tattie soup is made from mutton soaked in brine and air dried. For some its an acquired taste but others love it. Mince and tatties is very popular as is Krappan an' Stap which is a fish dish with oatmeal and fish livers - also an acquired taste.
Witchcraft was an important part of the past and some folk kept sickles so they could protect themselves from witches.