Highlights from around Shetland in 2025

Rusty Spoons FC entering the Championship 2026

On the rise in Shetland’s sport scene is amateur football team, Rusty Spoons FC. The team began as a group of friends who wanted to have a kickaround after the Euros in Germany. This became weekly games, expanding to friends of friends, and now entering a team in the Championship for 2026. The team is excited to join in the competition while having some fun.

Coach Scott Priest from Gulberwick said, “Everyone on the team has the same mindset - we just want to enjoy football again. Nearly everyone on the team hadn’t been playing competitive football for years (some haven’t at all). Running the team with the help of our small committee, it’s been joyous to watch the team grow and see inner player bonds develop. No hassle; everyone is there for a good time. Football brings people together at the end of the day. I love how we can get together after work on Fridays - no matter what kind of day you’ve had or what struggles you might be going through, you can switch off for an hour playing football. Very excited for next year where we actually get to play together in a team capacity in the league!”

Spectacular views while out walking

It’s no secret that Shetland has some of the most stunning scenery, and Marie Duncan from Voe knows better than most. She enjoys going for a long stomp through the hills or along the coast, no matter the weather. She says “Shetland is a fantastic place for those who love the wild outdoors as much as I do!”. It’s the history that draws Marie to the countryside.

“I enjoy nothing more than happening on the history that is all around us, such as old croft houses, and imagining the lives that were spent there. The feeling when you crest a hill and are rewarded with an amazing sea view, or the setting sun is second to none. We have spectacular views all around. That and the sight of the summer puffins, and a stormy sea are some of my favourite things about Shetland.”

Distinctly Mediocre touring around Shetland

Taking the Shetland music scene by storm is an all-girl cover band, Distinctly Mediocre. The lasses told me how much they enjoy practising together to learn hit songs and love travelling around Shetland performing to new people.

They said, “Some of the highlights of our year were playing at the Rising North festival and playing at the multiple UHA hops, it’s always a good fun with plenty of people always willing to boogie and root us on!”

Bringing communities together with Wool Week

Diane Wood from Muckle Roe is an avid knitter, and was chuffed to be involved in the Shetland Wool Week display at the Muckle Roe Hall in the summer. “It brought tagidder volunteers, makkers, friends an visitors for a truly special celebration o Shetland wool an craft.” The two-day display showcased local crafts and allowed the community to come together.

“Da success o' this first Wool Week event has left a real warm feelin in da community. It wasna just aboot da knitting — it brought folk tagidder, strengthened auld friendships, an reminded wiz o' da community spirit we’re so lucky tae hae and canna be beaten. It already feels lik dis belangs in da Wool Week calendar, an folk are definitely keen ta hae anidder go ageen next year.”

Slippit music festival success

Slippit music festival was a female-lead rock music filled weekend in the summer of 2025. Carina Ní Tnuthail from the committee spoke about the impact that the festival had and what Shetland’s music scene has to offer:

“A dynamic blend of creativity, activism, empowerment, and community arts, the event has inspired girls, women, and non-binary people to step confidently into the spotlight of the local music scene. Over 12 hours, 18 acts delivered a diverse and exhilarating showcase of local talent. Shetland’s music scene is already vibrant, with seasoned performers and emerging young bands playing regularly. Slippit has pushed that brilliance even further - bringing greater diversity to Shetland’s rock, alternative, and punk landscape.”

The festival was a massive hit among Shetlanders and raised a staggering £3,000 for Shetland Women’s Aid and The Compass Centre, aiding charities that support those who have been affected by gender-based violence. This was a strong message behind the festival, and they did a great job at raising awareness.

Wild sea swimming and finding peace

After learning to swim in the sea at age five, Zillah Clark from Brae never really swam again until recent years, when she decided that it was now or never! Armed with a dryrobe, Zillah and some friends ran into the sea, holding hands and screaming but loved it. Since the first plunge a few years ago, she has continued to go wild sea swimming at least once a week and is really feeling the benefits.

“Shetland has some of the best beaches to swim from… it makes you feel so alive! It honestly helps my mood, my skin, and there’s this overwhelming feeling of peace. If I can do it, anyone can!”

Opportunities for musical artists in Shetland

Scott Moncrieff, Voe, is now a well-established performer in Shetland’s music scene. He says that the opportunities for young artists in Shetland is one of the Isles’s major strengths.

“Annual festivals like Rising North and the Folk Festival allow locals to perform, and there are monthly open mic nights at Mareel. Getting yourself out there this way is the best way forward as a musician, and making connections has allowed me to sneak onto the bill for exciting gigs! Two major highlights for my year as a solo musician were opening for Rachel Sermanni in the Mareel Auditorium, and then getting invited to perform at the Americana Night in Mareel. I also sing and play guitar with Essykert, and we’ve been blown away by the reception and support at each of our gigs this year.”

Top goal scorer in Shetland hockey 2025

Zetland hockey team member, Sophie Jamieson from Muckle Roe, encourages everyone of any ability to get involved in hockey in Shetland. She says that hockey has given her the chance to build close relationships with team mates and grow as an individual.

“I love playing hockey in Shetland, it’s such good fun! I had the honour of being named top goal scorer of 2025, it means so much to me as a forward who ironically was never very good at shooting. Playing for Zetland and training with the Shetland mixed team helped boost my confidence and skills. I’d highly recommend playing hockey to any one of any skill level, it’s a very inclusive sport and there’s always opportunities to improve!”

Taking part in traditional Shetland sessions and finding togetherness through music

Sue and Iain MacBride, from Brae, are dedicated members of the Northmavine Fiddle & Accordion Club, who enjoy playing their instruments at weekly traditional music sessions. Iain, who plays the fiddle, said that the club is a great space to meet people and share a love of music while “haein a fun”. He also enjoys the eclecticism of the music, “It has its own sound, taking influences from Scandinavia and North America and mixing in Scottish and Irish to give a distinctly different flavour.”

Sue, who plays the Bodhrán, enjoys the stories behind traditional Shetland tunes, and the fact that they have been played all over the world. “What I enjoy about playing with the group is we're such a mix of people, but have this one thing in common, which is a love of traditional music.”