Radio show celebrates 'powerful and magnificent' Shetland

Radio presenter Frank Lewis enjoyed a "very special" spring visit to Shetland – taking in impressive sights and sounds, and meeting many inspiring Shetlanders along the way.

Frank along with Siubhan, his wife and technician, venutred to Sumburgh Head at the southernmost point of Shetland’s Mainland, northwards to Hermaness looking out to the Isle of Muckle Flugga at the "top" tip of the UK.

The couple, from Killarney in County Kerry, said the trip was “very special” and one they “will never forget”.

Among their highlights were a day trip to the isles of Fetlar – one of the archipelago’s North Isles, known as the Garden of Shetland – and Noss, where they witnessed the spectacular seabird colonies and experienced some of Shetland’s famous wildlife.

In Noss Frank says they walked the whole perimeter and marvelled at the spectacular cliffs which are home to great numbers of guillemots, gannets and puffins.

The broadcaster says he left Shetland with images of the “power and magnificence of the landscape” and the remarkable stories of the people he met engrained in his mind.

• Frank’s two-hour programme was broadcast on Radio Kerry in southwest Ireland from 9am-11am on Saturday 27^th May 2023. It is available to listen to on the Radio Kerry website’s Podcast page.

Highlights of the trip that feature in the Shetland programme include:

• Meeting wildlife wardens on the Isle of Noss
  
  Jen Clark and Sally Reay tell about a pair of Great Skuas – known in Shetland as bonxies – who called every morning for breakfast. The birds sadly died during the pandemic, but left a lasting impression on the wardens.

  

• Exploring thousands of years' history at Jarlshof
  
  Archaeologist and Jarlshof manager Lucy Morris explains that this amazing place which was inhabited for over 4,000 years was uncovered by a sand storm.

  

• Learning of the bravery of those involved in “the Shetland Bus”
  
  Journalist Mark Burgess in Scalloway tells of the daring Shetland Bus operations that carried men and resources across the North Sea in small fishing boats, to support the Norwegian resistance during World War Two. Their bravery helped shorten the war, and many sites linked to the Shetland Bus operation can be found in Scalloway.

  

• Listening to traditional Shetland music on the island of Fetlar
  
  After a wet and wild ferry crossing, Shetland fiddler player Maurice Henderson tells the story of how music was stolen from the trows – described by Frank as the Shetland version of leprechauns. Here Maurice plays lively tunes on his fiddle along with his niece Ella Robertson, bass guitarist John Clarke and acoustic guitarist Ewen Thompson. Also along were Maurice's parents Gordon and Vivienne, making for a memorable visit

  

• Exploring the past of Sumburgh’s Stevenson Lighthouse
  
  On a glorious day Sumburgh Lighthouse manager Jane Outram explains how keepers and their families lived at Sumburgh before the lighthouse became automated. And archaeologist Dr Val Turner explains how a JCB uncovered the nearby Old Scatness, revealing thousands of years of history on the site which is now a popular visitor attraction.

  

• Marvelling at the Hermaness seabird colonies
  
  At Hermaness National Nature Reserve, at the northernmost tip of Unst NatureScot operations officer Juan Brown speaks about the importance of the site for seabirds including gannets, puffins, and skuas. While watching thousands of gannets on the cliffs, Juan also reflects on the challenges facing the breeding colonies.

  

• Picking tunes with Shetland Mandolin Band
  
  At a rehearsal of the Shetland Mandolin Band, in the Isleburgh Community Centre in Lerwick, with twelve mandolinists, four guitarists and a piano, musician Gary Peterson tells of his family heritage of mandolin players and Jenny Henry explains how the band started.

• Hearing tales of Shetland’s modern fishing fleet
  
  From the Old Moorens a modernised croft on Shetland’s Westside, where Frank and Siubhan stayed, they hear from the croft’s owners – marine engineer Brian Gray talks about his working life on one of Shetland’s impressive pelagic fishing fleet, while GP Jacqueline Gray speaks of her role as a doctor in the islands.

  

Frank and Siubhan’s visit was supported by Promote Shetland, with help from Visit Scotland and Shetland Amenity Trust. They flew Loganair from Dublin to Sumburgh via Aberdeen.

Which Shetland will you explore? Head to our Inspiration page to discover more about the Islands of Opportunity.