Shetland's thriving arts and crafts culture

Say the words ‘Fair Isle knitting’ to most people in the English-speaking world, and they will not only know what you’re talking about but will be able to conjure an image of it from memory.

The distinctive patterns using Shetland wool hand-knitted in the isles are more than just a woolly winter warmer – it’s probably Shetland’s most famous export from its world-renowned arts and crafts scene. You can read all about Fair Isle knitwear by clicking here.

Look past the intricate patterns and you’ll discover an amazing array of incredible hand-made treasures produced on these shores, from paintings to pottery and furniture to fine jewellery.

With such an embarrassment of riches to choose from – right the way from Fair Isle through the South Mainland to the North Isles – Shetland Arts and Crafts Association has loads of inspiration for gift-buyers at Christmas, Valentine's Day, birthdays or any occasion.

But what makes Shetland’s arts and crafts heritage unique, and how has it persevered through the generations?

Every craft maker I spoke to returned to the same point – the quality.

“There’s a real uniqueness about it,” Shona Skinner of the Shetland Gallery in Yell, says.

“I think the quality in Shetland is outstanding.

“We have people from Australia and America who have come to visit Shetland and have fallen in love with our arts and crafts.

“But then we also have clients that have never been to Shetland that just love what we have here.

“I would say that we’ve got a few amazing furniture makers up here.”

One person Shona cites is Cecil Tait, of Paparwark Furniture. He started his business over 20 years ago – in 2003 – and now builds everything from sweater boards to chairs, picnic benches and more from his Bigton workshop.

He says there are “an awful lot of creative folk up here” making some great things – and adds that is only increasing over the years.

“I think with the wild weather over the winter folk think ‘I have to make things’,” he jokes.

“The standard here is really high, from what I hear from folk that come up here.

“The quality has also really gone up over the last 20 years, I would say.”

What fuels that creative streak in Shetlanders, and why are isles-made arts and crafts so distinctive?

Avril Thomson-Smith owns her own gallery in the heart of Lerwick’s Commercial Street, where she sells everything from paintings to cushions adorned with her vibrant acrylic artworks,

She thinks it’s because makers “take their inspiration from the local environment”, turning it into something worth keeping.

“They incorporate skills that have been passed down from generation to generation,” she says.

“These talents and techniques have been developed and refined over the years.

“Shetland arts and crafts are of the highest quality, using exceptional materials.”

Jewellery is a thriving sub-sector of the isles’ arts and crafts scene, and Shetland Jewellery is one such business within that.

Its owner, Sophie Whitehead, said the passing down of skills from generation to generation in Shetland was “absolutely vital” to preserving its traditions.

“I always try to shop locally to support the talented artisans and makers in our community,” she said.

“What truly makes Shetland-made arts and crafts stand out is the deep inspiration drawn from the land and sea.

“People are drawn to the combination of quality and uniqueness that Shetland arts and crafts offer.

“There’s a sense of authenticity in every piece, which makes them truly special.”

North Roe is as far north as you can go on the mainland of Shetland – about a 90-minute drive from Sumburgh in the South Mainland. Nestled in this beautiful corner of Shetland, Sharon McGeady finds inspiration for her artistic pursuits.

There, from The Pottery, she hand-sculpts ceramic plates, mugs and jugs influenced by the colours and traditions of the North Mainland.

“Many of our crafts go back centuries,” she says.

“Shetland-made arts and crafts reflect the sanctity of place where we live. It can do nothing other.

“Often us artists and craftspeople are deeply embedded in our communities where we draw from and support our neighbours.

“In rural areas, we live by the rhythms of the natural world, the weather, and our environment.”

For McGeady, skills like basket weaving, sewing and knitting – which remain integral today – “run through the generations like a beautiful golden thread of heritage”.

“I am deeply aware that my craft of pottery dates back to the most ancient of times and still I get a deep connection when I touch pots that were made centuries ago,” she says.

“The maker’s fingerprints are still in the clay, and their intention speaks to me.”

All these artists and crafters – from Bigton in the South Mainland to Yell in the North Isles, a ferry away from the Mainland – agree that they have seen interest in their works surge over the last five or 10 years.

Shetland Gallery is unusual in that it showcases both arts and crafts, and Shona said that was a conscious effort from the start to ensure as much of the best of the isles was on offer.

“More galleries down south are starting to recognise crafts as well as art now – I think we were a trendsetter,” she says.

“We’re always on the look for something different that’s happening.

“We’re quite picky about what we show in the gallery. We want to promote hand-made local arts and crafts.

“We would never show anything in the gallery we didn’t love ourselves.”

Will the next generation continue Shetland’s traditions like knitting, furniture-making, jewellery and painting?

Every one of the people I spoke to was unanimous in their view – isles arts and crafts are here to stay.

“I can’t see why not, it seems to be really vibrant,” Cecil of Paparwark Furniture says.

“There seems to be so much interest in it.