Voices of Shetland: stories from the 'Wondrous Isles'

Channel 5’s recent five-part series Shetland: Scotland's Wondrous Isles is more than just a documentary series – it's a celebration of Shetland’s dramatic beauty, the strength of community, and the people who call these islands home.

'Proud of Shetland'

The series featured interviews with both born and bred Shetlanders, as well as with more recent arrivals to the isles. Maggie Adamson, who belongs to the former group, is the skipper of the Swan, a beautifully restored traditional herring fishing boat, dating back to 1900. She enjoyed the experience of having the Channel 5 film crew on board, saying: “They seemed genuinely interested in the Swan and what she does, rather than purely from a work perspective.”

Having travelled the world on the Swan, Maggie is acutely aware of what a privilege it is to call Shetland home. She says: “I think that I appreciate more what we have at home having travelled. You always think the grass is greener somewhere else, but really we live in such a beautiful island with strong traditions […] I’m really proud and lucky to come from Shetland.”

Not only has award-winning musician Maggie sailed around the world, she’s welcomed hundreds of children and teenagers aboard the Swan for sail training and helped countless others to find their sea legs. Does she feel that growing up in Shetland has presented her with unique opportunities to develop her talents?

She says: “Growing up in Shetland has given me, and others, opportunities that you would struggle to get elsewhere. There are so many people willing to give up their time to teach, coach and mentor which makes learning new skills accessible and affordable compared with the cities and other places I’ve been to.”

But the warmth and supportiveness of the Shetland community have powered Maggie’s success. As she explains: “People have been so encouraging, and there are so many opportunities to learn from people – whether it’s playing tunes at festivals where you can join in with the people you have looked up to for years or competing at sailing with the older generation, then sitting down after to have a chat with and learning from them afterwards”.

Discover more about the Swan and sailing trips at The Swan Trust website.

Elizabeth Atia is another one of the fascinating people interviewed in the series. Unlike Maggie, she is a relative newcomer to Shetland, having moved here in 1999, a decision the award-winning food blogger and fisherwoman is glad she made.

“My entire career grew from living here in Shetland”, she explains. “I took several random, seemingly unrelated opportunities to learn, grow, and step outside my comfort zone. One thing led to another, one connection led to another, and my career developed from that. It all started with that first 14-hour ferry crossing to Shetland 25 years ago.”

Despite her initial reluctance to agree to be interviewed, Elizabeth found the experience of being filmed for the series “a wholly enjoyable experience”.

She explains: “Those who know me know I am quite a shy person with an aversion to being photographed, let alone filmed, so my immediate gut reaction was to say no, well, to ignore the emails”.

“However, I’m at a stage in my life where I’m actively working on expanding my boundaries; deliberately finding the edges of my comfort zone and pushing them. Once you've overcome an initial apprehension, you never know what’s going to be on the other side. Opportunities can hide in the most unusual of places, so I agreed to be interviewed.”

Fast-forward a few months, and Elizabeth found herself spending two and a half filming with director, cinematographer and producer James Nutt and his assistant. James quickly put Elizabeth at ease, and his impressive credentials (he’s known for Ottolenghi’s Mediterranean Feast (2012) and has also worked with Nigella Lawson) made for an experience that was “slightly intimidating and thrilling at the same time”.

Elizabeth was filmed catching mackerel, and was then filmed cooking it. Originally, she had planned to make something “something quick and easy that could be filmed in one go.” However, a day or so before the cooking scene was set to be filmed, she was asked if she could cook something more complex, to “showcase her culinary skills”. Never one to decline a challenge, Elizabeth agreed and got to work on a mackerel curry. “I could just see, in my mind’s eye, the entire country going “Mackerel curry?!” when they saw it” she says, adding: “…and then, after seeing the finished dish, ‘Actually, that might not be a bad idea!’”

With Elizabeth’s seemingly endless capacity for challenge and adventure, it might seem curious that an island with a population of just over 22, 000 could hold her attention. Yet she is resolute in her love for the islands.

“Shetland is like no other place, it’s the wild edge of the world where you can build the life that you want to live. There are so many opportunities, and you’re free and supported to create your own, you just need to want to, and to put the work in to make it happen.

“It's also incredibly beautiful, and you’re never more than three miles from the sea.”

If you want to know more about life in Shetland, we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions.