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History-of-shetland
By Jorgen
Shetland, also zETLAND, group of about 100 islands (fewer than 20 of them inhabited) lying 130 mi (210 km) north of the Scottish mainland, administered as one of three Islands areas (q.v.). Until the reorganization of 1975, it was an insular county. Shetland, like the Orkneys (a similar island cluster closer to the northern tip of Scotland proper), possesses its own Mainland (name given to the largest island), containing Scalloway, the chief township, and Lerwick, the seat of the islands area council, which carries out the responsibilities of both region and district authority, except for fire and police services, for which it combines with the Highland (q.v.) region.
The north part of Mainland is sparsely populated. South of Lerwick, where land conditions are more favourable, the population is denser. North of Mainland lie the islands of Yell and Unst, the most northerly and populous of the Shetland Islands. One mile off the north coast of Unst is Muckle Flugga lighthouse, the most northerly point in Britain. Off the west seaboard are six inhabited islands, including rocky and exposed Foula (14 mi from Mainland), and Fair Isle (24 mi), the latter belonging to the National Trust for Scotland (a conservation group) and possessing an important ornithological observatory. The scenery of Shetland is wild and beautiful, having deeply indented, fjordlike coasts (the sea lochs are locally called voes) enclosed by steep hills. There are streams and freshwater lakes but no rivers on the islands. The winds are continuous and strong, and trees are therefore sparse. The climate of Shetland is surprisingly mild for such high latitudes (only 400 mi south of the Arctic Circle) because
of the warming influence of the North Atlantic Current, an extension of the Gulf Stream system. Winters on the islands are generally less cold than those experienced in central Scotland.
This northerly area of high winds and generally poor soils is not well suited to the cultivation of many crops. The main form of agriculture is of the smallholding tenant type known as crofting, each croft having a few acres of arable land and the right to graze sheep onthe “scattald,” or common grazings. The croft houses are usually low cottages surrounded by the arable land, which gives way to rough grazing, rock, and heather on the higher slopes. The crofters’ main source of income
the sale of wool. The Shetland breed of sheep produces a light fleece of fine wool that
spun and knitted by the island women in the distinctive patterns known as Shetland and Fair Isle; the knitted goods are sold. Because many of the crofts cannot adequately support
family, men seek employment abroad or
the Royal Navy. On Fetlar the small and shaggy Shetland ponies are bred in considerable numbers for export. Fishing has always been important in Shetland. Many crofters to supplement their diet or their income; but the herring fishing industry centres on Lerwick. Norwegian and English boats are common in these waters and frequently call
Shetland harbours, although the herring- fishing industry has declined somewhat since mid-2Oth century. Most of the outlying herring stations have been closed, and the number of boats fishing from Lerwick has decreased. Seine fishing for whitefish, mainly haddock and whiting, is now more important, the main centres being Lerwick, Scalloway, Whalsay, and Burra. There are plants
freezing and curing at Lerwick.
Despite the difficulties of wresting a living from these islands, Shetland was occupied
early times. Primitive sunken dwellings, stone circles, and Pictish stone towers remain. During the 7th and 8th centuries, the conversion of the population to Christianity was begun. In 1957 remains—including a treasure
bronze ornaments—of a Celtic church were discovered in the south of the island. In the 8th and 9th centuries, Shetland was invaded by the Norsemen, who ruled the islands until the 15th century; many Norse customs survive. In 1469 the islands, with Orkney, were given as a pledge for the dowry of Princess Margaret of Denmark on her marriage
James III of Scotland. The pledge was never redeemed, and both groups were annexed
the Scottish crown in 1472. The islands have nevertheless stood outside the mainstream
Scottish history and traditions; the kilt has never been the native male dress, nor has Gaelic been the native language. Article Source: http://activeauthors.com Post your articles online and promote your website for free!Boost your sites ranking by linking it from the ArticleZap database! Free Article links and instant translation publishing!
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