Moving to Shetland

[Sal.north]

Its not just stock that might be worried by dogs running free, I hate when even one dog comes bounding up to me when I am out walking- no matter how much the owner assures me 'its very friendly'  it has ignored their frantic shouts for it to 'come' to them and I have felt very nervous about some of them especialy the larger dogs.

Agree with you there. As much as I don't mind other people having dogs I am absolutely totally and utterly terrified of them and telling me they're friendly/harmless/won't bite has zero effect! The other day I had a Pyrenees mountain dog come up to me jumping and barking. It is hard enough for me to stay upright on crutches without having some dog coming up to me making me stagger back terrified with them jumping and barking. I have been bitten in the past and I don't want to risk it again. All the time you hear about someone being mauled by the *friendly* family pet that's *never done anything like that before*. You never know when a dog or any other pet might snap.

 

OP - hope your move to Shetland went/goes well.

 

So if any dog owners see me on crutches please keep your dog away from me as I have enough trouble staying upright without adding dogs to the equation. Thanks.

[Equality Street]

I think you'll be fine with your dogs, as long as you watch out for them during lambing season. 

 

I also think you'll find that most folk are quite friendly and helpful. Some of the negativity espoused by a small minority of native Shetlanders can be explained (although not always excused) by the fact that there are quite a few incomers, often from rural England, who tend to arrive with little or no idea of what the Isles are like,  and sometimes they leave just as quickly, disillusioned and with  no appreciation of the island's subtleties. 

 

I know of a chap who turned up at a council office, having just got off the boat that morning with his family, asking where he could learn Gaelic. He just assumed it was the main language.  I admit that that's an extreme example, and I'm sure you'll have done a little more research than that before you arrive. However, I think it's probably helpful to be aware that there's a  bit of a 'tall poppy syndrome' that's sometimes comes into play up here. 

 

Many a local toe has been inadvertently stepped on by well-meaning 'sooth-moothers' who brashly take control of local committees, clubs etc, wrongly assuming that the more moderate, quieter members are perhaps in need of more vocal leadership, when in reality they just have a more self-conscious approach, and are acutely aware that some of their fellow islanders have long memories, having probably known  them all their lives.

 

Tred lightly, smile and take the time to listen to what's going on before passing comment . You'll soon feel at home and hopefully you'll want to stay. 

Edited May 16, 2014 by Horns 'O' Da Geo

[cleargemstone]

Good luck to you both,Shetland is a magical place and you are very welcome to come and join us you will find that 95 percent of people here are fabulous the real true shetlanders are all decent honest trustworthy people and very friendly

All the best

Chris and Louise

Edited May 24, 2014 by cleargemstone