Graeme At Large
FOR ALMOST 550 years Shetland has been an important part of Scotland, yet when you drive around the “mainland” and its fifteen adjoining inhabited islands it feels more like Scandinavia than any other part of Scotland. With names like Mousa, Noss, Foula, Yell, Bressay and Unst, the Shetland Isles are a fascinating part of our country and history. With vast and imposing surroundings — a landscape absent of trees, but abundant with dramatic coastline — it gives a sense of the island having more sky than anywhere else that I’ve ever visited. It is a stunning archipelago with a gracious air of mystery and a strange sense of familiarity. I was visiting friends in Lerwick for New Year and it was definitely a party to remember.
I flew from Aberdeen with Loganair on the early morning flight, and with only six passengers on board it was like having a private jet. Loganair have recently taken over the route from Flybe or “Flymaybe” as the islanders call them and I must say that I was impressed by their service. Any airline still offering a complimentary warm cup of tea and biscuit inflight is held in high regard with me.
As we descended upon Sumburgh airport I must admit that I was getting a little concerned and sweaty palmed as I could see the runway lights perfectly aligned from my window on the left side of the plane — but with only a few hundred feet left between us, the North Sea and the runway, a swift crosswind brought us directly in line with the tarmac and down we came with a thud. Quite the landing!
This story is from the No 316, February 2018 edition of Am Bratach.
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This story is from the No 316, February 2018 edition of Am Bratach.
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Council Gritters Fall Short In Assynt
‘I took to social media in the vain hope that somebody would notice’ — Cllr Currie
Bookends
“She Said He Said I Said: New Writing Scotland 35”, edited by Diana Hendry and Susie Maguire, Association for Scottish Literary Studies, 2017. £9.95.
Graeme At Large
Graeme At Large
A 19th Century View Of 'Wild' Land
A 19th Century View Of 'Wild' Land
Geopark Means Business This Year
Securing long-term government support is a priority, says new chairman
Fraser Darling's View Of Highland Medical Care
The “West Highland Survey: an essay in human ecology”, edited by Frank Fraser Darling, was published by the Oxford University Press in 1955. Fraser Darling (1903-79) was an English ecologist, ornithologist, farmer, conservationist and author who between 1939 and 1943 brought derelict land into agricultural production on Tanera Mòr in the Summer Isles. In January 1944 he met Tom Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, who was aware of Fraser Darling’s published works which included a popular weekly column on agricultural science syndicated in several Highland newspapers. They agreed his plan for a social and biological investigation into the problems of the West Highlands and for establishing an agricultural advisory and demonstration centre in the crofting areas. In Fraser Darling’s own words, the West Highland Survey was established “in order to examine in a spirit of scientific inquiry, to gather a solid body of facts for analysis and synthesis, which would serve as a foundation for a future policy for the region”. He continued: “The argument was maintained that if the problem were understood in its wholeness, solution would be possible”. In June 1944, a team which included Frank Fraser Darling as director and four young Gaelic-speaking field officers, began work. The resulting 438-page book includes the following account of the Highlands and Islands Medical Service, launched in 1913 and forerunner of the Scottish National Health Service. After thirty years, the surveyors regarded the service as an unqualified success, an enviable situation underlined by the number of able medics seeking work in the post-war Highlands.
From Our Archives
Long service nurse to be honoured by community
The Postie's Post
IF YOU are a regular reader of my postie’s posts you will probably sigh when you realise that I am talking about roads again this month. But I do have an excuse and that is because the Highland Council aren’t really that good at managing them at times.
Bookends
George Gunn, “The Great Edge”, Grace Note Publications, 2017. £12.99.
The Postie's Post
WHEN YOU consider that we really don’t have that many roads in the Highlands, the ones we do have seem to get a story from most people you talk to.
