Shetland is blessed with excellent sports facilities around the islands, including a well-established gym network and a dedicated community of strongmen and strongwomen.
Strongman Cameron Nisbet held his arms to the sky as he was crowned the UK’s Strongest Man under-70kg in the heart of Shetland’s capital, Lerwick.
It was the first time that Shetland had ever hosted a national strength competition, but his win was no fluke – it was the second time he had lifted the title in just three years.
In fact, Cameron's success was partly the reason why the UK strongman competition came to Shetland and the Clickimin Leisure Complex in the first place.
Cameron is by no means alone in pulling his weight for Shetland on the strength scene.
Teenage strongwoman Lauri Siegel has been making waves nationally after qualifying for a world championship event in Houston, months after suffering a horrific double arm break.
Lauri had only started training in Shetland around a month before a sensational performance in her first competition, which booked her a plane ticket to the USA.
There are similar success stories all over Shetland. Strongwoman Sophie Kennerley was crowned second strongest in the world for the under-57kg category in 2023, less than a year after picking up the sport.
Siblings Dhanni and Shauna Moar hold numerous world records and both local and national titles, Tegan Patterson has lifted trophies at UK level, and no fewer than seven Shetland strength athletes earned podium places at a Scottish event in January this year.
So how has Shetland muscled its way to the front of the pack for Scottish strong people? And why are so many people now embracing the sport ahead of football, rugby, netball and hockey?
Nobody is better placed to know the answers than Stuart Moar, a veteran of the strength scene who oversees the hugely popular Shetland Weight Training Club in Scalloway.
“I think it has grown so much over the last 10 years because it’s such a challenging, friendly sport,” he explained.
“Folk from all backgrounds compete. Having access to such a great selection of strongman equipment has helped encourage folk into the sport, as they can try out pretty much any event in the gym.”
Stuart’s gym is far from alone in the Shetland scene. Davy Cummings set up his own gym, Mad Strength, while Gym Gair offers more specialist fitness training.
In the last 10 years, strength sports in Shetland have, well, gone from strength to strength.
Having access to such a great selection of strongman equipment has helped encourage folk into the sport, as they can try out pretty much any event in the gym.
It is not uncommon for up to 10 Shetlanders to make the journey south to compete in mainland competitions, with many qualifying for Europe and world finals as a result.
Moar said that the local strength scene even a decade ago was “very strong and growing”, but said Shetland had really been put on the map by the impressive performances of the isles’ athletes on the big stage.
“Even 10 years ago, we had guys travelling down to compete in the mainland in competitions like Scotland’s Strongest Man,” he said.
“I think Shetland has been put on the map in strength sports really with the calibre of athletes competing locally, on the mainland and as far as the USA from such a small island.
“Representing themselves and Shetland so well goes a long way.”
Dhanni Moar is a true titan of the sport and is the most decorated strongman in Scottish history.
He first signed up for Shetland’s Strongest Man almost 20 years ago – in 2008 – and said some people laughed when he said he was entering the competition.
As a bona fide legend of the sport now, Dhanni says there has been a real surge in support for strength competitions from the people of Shetland.
“I think hosting many competitions in Shetland has helped,” he explained.
“People can actually see what it's all about. Shetland Weight Training Club host the annual open strongman competition every summer and a powerlifting comp every winter, while The Factory hosts weight classed competitions and Shetland's Strongest Master, so there's something for everybody.”
Dhanni said that Shetland did not become a force in the strong person world overnight – he said it has “always been a powerhouse”.
“I think this goes for all sports, because of the long dark winter and where we are located, I believe Shetlanders try that bit harder,” he added.
“It takes a great effort mentally and physically to train all winter with the added financial burden of getting off the isles.
“You can't just go and compete south on a whim.”
From Dhanni’s early days until now, he says there are so many more competitions, weight classes and events – ensuring there is something for everyone.
Cameron Nisbet is a prime example of that, seizing the chance of the newly formed under-70kg category to be crowned world champion twice.
“Ten years ago there were not many people competing in the different weight classes, in fact it was frowned upon to do anything other than the open class, or ‘big boy’ class,” he explained.
“I'm happy to say there seems to be a much more supportive attitude about it all now.”
Stuart Moar wholeheartedly agrees, saying that they have a “great bunch” at the gym who are “always more than happy to show [newcomers] the ropes”.
“For anybody looking to get into strongman, I would say just take the plunge,” he said.
“You won’t regret it.”
Dhanni says that the quality of the training and competitions in Shetland has helped the sport reach even greater heights.
He encouraged anyone wavering about heading to the gym and trying out the sport to throw themselves into it full-throttle.
“Do not listen to the naysayers,” he said.
“I would say to anyone thinking about getting into strongman or any strength sport to do it, do it now!”
Wondering what there is to keep you active in Shetland – with a huge range of sports facilities, clubs and societies, there is something for everyone, whatever your passion.
