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AS we swing into what I was astonished to find out is still called Purdah (curtained-off women’s quarters in traditional Persian household / the six weeks before election during which government must not issue policy which could swing election outcome), the purveyors of gravitas and chavitas furrow their brows and practise their glottal stops. For…

I was, frankly, concerned about riding the old Kawasaki the 35 miles home from Lerwick tonight. It was gusting up to a force seven, sidewinds for the most part. It was getting dark, and my eyesight is increasingly bad at coping with lack o’licht. And this was a £400 bike, old, if well cared for,…

Marcus Mumford and ‘Country’ Winston Marshall were on the show today, straight off the plane from Inverness, with the lovely Rachel Sermanni, who supported M&S tonight. Rachel played beautifully (both on the show and tonight, though she had to struggle at W&W with a boisterous crowd), the lads were splendid (I mean, from the Grammies…

I came into Lerwick on the early bus this morning. Buses, really – the 07.35 from Hillswick to Brae (10 miles) then the main Mossbank commuter run into Lerwick. There’s always a degree of weary grumpiness on said vehicle; and who can blame any of us for being irritable at that time of day, especially…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

…I’m thinking, white wine, garlic, maybe an onion, cream added at the end of steaming if I can find some…