clanchief

There is a short article about this in in Volume 1 ( page 250 - its in the library) of the Orkney & Shetland Miscellany. Apparently there is an Orkney saying (Orphir) " He's been to Barnisdale" applied to a person telling a long story. The Shetland version is "to tell a tale from Barnisdael and doun" which was explained by Edmonston as "to tell a tale from beginning to end , with all the particulars". The writer of the article claims that the saying probably comes from the fact that an early ( 1377) published version of the Robin Hood tale ran to 456 verses and it is set in Barnysdale between Doncaster and Nottingham. So this leads the writer to assume that the saying "been to Barnisdael" applies to a long story in general. Lytel Jhon and Robin Hude Waythmen were commendyd gude In Yngilwode and Barnysdale Thai oystyd all this time thaere trawail Well, I'll slap my thighs to that!

Thanks for the info Malachy : Eileen has given me a few more sites for Press Holes : Press Hole Breckon Grid Ref 5300 0550 Hoose O Sholmack Papa Stour- no grid Hoose O Hirdie Geo Papa Stour - no grid Press Geng Hol Mid Waas Grid Ref 1835 4967 Tammie Tyries Hoidie Hol Skerries - Grid ref 6697 7142 Paets Hoose Skerries - Grid Ref 6681 7065 Warhouse - Cuckron Stromfirth - Grid Ref 4051 5206 Wester Crumooth Geo Havra - Grid Ref 3558 2736 Stouraclett Bressay - no grid Tammie Muckle's Haa Quarff - Grid Ref 4407 3564 Press Master's Hol Aithsetter Cunningsburgh- Grid Ref 4440 3078 Upper & Lower Tief's Holes Fair Isle - No grid. Hol O Da Hoidins Burraland Northmavine Grid Ref 3433 7454

Yesterday, I read the book "Travels in Shetland " (Charlton 1834) He gives the following recipe " Take two good handfuls of the coarsest Shetland oatmeal ground on a genuine Shetland Watermill, and not sifted, Add water till it sticks together. Make then into a round cake 3" in diameter, put then into the hot turf (Peat?) ashes till it is thoroughly done on the outside. Then withdraw it, and on breaking the cake there will rush out a most savoury steam which you must check instantly by a large lump of butter, and then eat cautiously for fear of swallowing too much sand at a mouthful, or lest you break a tooth upon a fragment of the millstone. Such is Bursten Broonie." They certainly liked their roughage in those days!

Does anyone know the location of "Hoidey Hols" that were used to hide from the Press Gang. I was privileged today to be shown "The Hol of Hellier" at Turvalds Head (West of Mavis Grind) . You crawl in on your belly (tight fit at the shoulders), but you can stand up inside, and I believe 12 people have in recent times been inside the cave at one time. From a quick bit of research, I have found mention of the following Hols :- "De Un" a cave at Ramnibanks Clumlie Fury Geo - Eshaness Hoevdi Skord - Bressay Da Muckle Hoidy Hol - Lunning Head GlisiGeo - Sandsting Hoe Pool - Near Spiggie Da Wart a Mioness - Skerries Cati Geo - Watsness Da Hoidy Hol - between Sullom and Buraland Kettleback Cave - Isle of Uyea Has anyone ever been inside any of these places?

Fantastic displays of the Northern Lights such as we saw last night and great opportunities for coast/cliff walking - Dale of Walls to Footabrough today in marvellous winter sunshine!

Eh, What, sorry could you please repeat that? Not a bad comment from someone who posted - "Cue duelling banjos" in a forum that was discussing the depopulation of Foula !

Councillor Jim Henry ( Vice Chair of the CTrust) is quoted today as saying that he doesn't hear much discussed on this topic among his circle of acquaintances. (** MOD EDIT **)

Gyndagooster - Gooster is is a strong wind and Gyndagooster is above that - a storm.

Thanks for the info. I have now found a para in James R Nicolson's book "Traditional Life in Shetland " on this subject - "Dr Jakobsen was not surprised to find differences in the vocabulary from place to place .....this confirmed his contention that the original Norse settlers had come from different parts of South-West Norway, bringing with them their own dialects which influenced the form of speech in different parts of Shetland. He was intrigued by the name given in different parts of Shetland to the wall that projects from the sheep fold to assist the penning of sheep. In Unst it was known as a Soadin Daek ( from old Norse Soeta meaning to waylay) ; in Fetlar it was called a rekster daek ( from O.N. rekster, meaning the driving of animals) and in Yell it was known as a stillyers daek ( from O.N. stili meaning a trap for animals). Even on the Mainland there was no uniformity, since in Northmavine it was known as a retta daek ( from O.N. rett or Sheep fold) while in Central Shetland it was called a stuggi daek or cro stuggi, which Dr Jacobsen suggested might be derived from O.N. stuka or sleeve."

He was stacking shelves in Williamsons paint store earlier this week. Holiday job?

Can anyone tell me what a "Soadin-Dyke" is ? This word is not in the Shetland Dictionary

Shetland Anglers Association made a written submission to V.E.'s consultants on this very issue about 12 months ago. This problem of silt run-off polluting spawning burns and lochs was a common problem in parts of the highlands years ago when large areas of peatland were trenched for drainage linked to tree planting.

whar da hell is dis burgh at Burra Road of course

aboot Fetlar ageen. I wis lookin at som auld trootie records (1910) fir Fetlar an day sed dat dey catched da troots athin the "schlaa". I tocht dat dis coold be anidder nem fur slye ir som idder tang. Onyeen ken?

I have just been reading an early 1900's guide book to Shetland & it contains an advert for William Brown, General Merchant, Browns Building , Market St. Lerwick (( established 1862) He appears to deal in guns( suitable for seal and otter shooting), fishing tackle etc but also stocks a "fine collection of Artic Skins, Eskimo Goods and Shetland Curios" Artic Skins : Polar Bear, Artic Deer, Spotted Seal, Blue Fox, Musk Ox, White Seal, White Fox, Leming, Artic Hare etc Eskimo Goods : Complete Eskimo Dresses made of Deer & Seal Skins; Eskimo Slippers; Tobacco Pouches in great variety; Minature Eskimo Canoes and sledges; Real Eskimo Bows and Arrows for Bird shooting; Real Harpoon & Line for catching Walrus, seals etc; large assortment of Walrus Tusks (very fine ivory) ; .........also many other curiosities made by Eskimos. Also on view : Shetland Antiquarian Curiosities - 200 year old spinning wheels, Ancient weighing Machines, Relics of the stone age including : battle axes, knives, Hammers, cups, Urns etc This is the sort of shop we need in Shetland, not Lidls or Tesco.

Basically the funding situation is no different than that faced by many voluntary projects - It is just a fact of life that funding is subject to annual review. Currently, the main funder is Communities Scotland and the National scheme is currently being reviewed by the Scottish Parliament. The Shetland Bike project had great success in moving their clients into mainsream employment - so despite the cloud of a review hanging over us- the project remains hopeful that the review will recognise the benefits achieved and as a result, the funding stream will continue. At the moment it is certainly business as usual. Thanks for your support.

Just to clarify the above point. Shetland Community Bike Project is a charity that provides supported work placement (waged) for recovering Alcohol & Drug users and also volunteering and theraputic work opportunities for people with mental health or other disabilities. The project recycles bikes that have been donated or salvaged and these bikes are then offered for sale to the public at affordable prices. The project also services bikes. The project doesn't normally purchase bikes from the public. If you have any bikes that you would like to recycle ( pun intended) or would like to buy a bike, please phone the project at Lerwick 690077 ( Petersons Kloss - Commercial Street - Lane opposite Bayes Shop)

Good article about FI in yesterday's Sunday Herald. However, they didn't recommend the boat trip!

We have been over all this before - see my post of 3rd May 2006

Previous posts have commented that there is probably not a high level of objection to the windfarm project. However, interestingly, I note that in a report to the SIC's Planning department tomorrow outlining the planning process for this project the planning officer states : "The project has the possibility of raising the highest level of public concern ever seen in Shetland on a planning matter" and also "Wind farms can be very emotive subjects and officers can be affected personally by their involvement in the assessment of developments" So clearly, the SIC are concerned about the potential level of objection and they are preparing their plan of action accordingly.

Shetland is currently trying to achieve "Geopark" status, & I was therefore interested to recently read some of the correspondence of Samuel Hibbert who is "famous" for discovering the existance of commercially exploitable levels of chromate and other minerals in Shetland in 1817. In one of his letters he speaks about a visit to "Roeness Hill" to collect rock specimens in company with a Will Henderson from Bardister who was fishing in Roer Water. Hibbert describes having a "repast" with Henderson whilst seated at a granite table on the banks of Roer Water. Just a thought, but if Geopark status is achieved, it would be a great attraction to have a "Hibbert Walk" to Roer Water to visit the very rock he sat at to partake of a "dejeuner a la fourchette" washed down by some Cape Madeira! That is if anyone knows of a flat rock at Roer water that meets the Description of being like a table. Will Henderson seems to have been an interesting character and Hibbert describes him as "The Hermit". This description appears to have arisen because Henderson is described as having visited the tropical climates, mixed with high society & enjoyed the elegant pleasures of most of the capitals of Europe etc and Hibbert could not understand why Henderson was driven to terminate his days in the "vile climate" of Thule. Intrigingually, Henderson himself told Hibbert that it was sufficient punishment for his moral peccadilloes!

The Northern Rock used to have a branch or Agent ( maybe still have) in Lerwick so there must be quite a few customers in Shetland.

According to the press, Shetland Transport Partnership (ZETTRANS) are going to start a new public consultation on the Bridge/Tunnel question. "ZETTRANS wants to hear from Shetlands about their preferred option" My option would be to get on with building a cheappo basic tunnel , Wide enough for only one vehicle and with movement controlled by traffic lights at each end. The waste of money so far is criminal.

I enjoyed the photo in yesterday's paper of a drug dealer in Belfast who was tarred & feathered by the community, then tied to a lamp post with a notice around his neck saying "I am a scumbag drug dealer" Apparently the community had been complaining to the police about the guy but the police couldn't/wouldn't take any action. The police also have not pursued anyone for the "assault" on the dealer.