February 2011

  • The 20 best whiskies in the world, and a horrible liqueur

    The final flight. These are the 20 best whiskies in the world, according to the panel of ‘experts’ (the quotes are for me) that has been sniffing, gargling, swallowing and occasionally spitting over the past couple of months. I can’t remember how many I’ve dealt with. Maybe 60. Scored out of 10 and described (‘overtones…

  • A glorious day in the Greater Zetlandics

    Saturday morning. The sun is shining. Surely some mistake? But no, God has shown some mercy on these pagan isles, and everyone is suddenly in a good mood. To Lerwick so Martha can attend the music club and be interviewed for work as a Red Cross volunteer. Followed by lunch at the excellent and beautifully…

  • Record shops. It’s over

    This is actually a posting on the Shetlink discussion forum, from a thread inspired by rumours that my favourite record shop, Clive’s in Lerwick, might be closing. As I write, Clive Munro hasn’t shut yet, but it has to be a matter of time. My shopping there would only be on a social basis, these…

  • The secret bus and other challenges of the charabanc

    I owe Johnson Transport 60p, or 20p, depending on how you view the Lerwick-Hillswick route. It’s 60p from Hillswick to Brae. But it’s £2.80 from Hillswick Lerwick, (35 miles)and £2.60 from Brae to Lerwick (25). I’m confused. But that’s not infrequent.  It’s all a misunderstanding. I thought Leask’s Buses, who only accept blue digital Shetland…

  • Shetland wool is good for you!

    One of my thoughts as part-time communications advisor to Shetland Islands council is that all councillors and officials should, when travelling to the wilds of the Scottish mainland or beyond, have to wear at least one item of Shetland knitwear, preferably in a Fair Isle pattern as it’s easily identified. And this provides just one…