Shetland to Celebrate a Flavour of the Islands in June
Building on the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural event, Flavour of Shetland will be staged as a major event in the islands again this year holding its own among other highly-acclaimed events including the Up Helly Aa fire festival and the Shetland Folk Festival. From 22 to 25 June, the very best of Shetland will be showcased on Victoria Pier in Lerwick to coincide with the arrival of participants in the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race and the Bergen Shetland Races.
Highlights include seafood demonstrations by Master Chef George McIvor, executive chef at Baxters, traditional and contemporary live music sessions for which Shetland is internationally renowned, as well as the opportunity to try your hand at a variety of unique craft skills including felt-making, kishie-making, basket-making and sock knitting, and see craft demonstrations such as furniture-making and woodcarving.
Children’s activities will include street entertainers Bell and Bullock, while a spectacular Viking parade, consisting of squads of guizers dressed in Viking attire from Shetland-wide Up Helly Aa fire festivals, will march through the town centre.
Once again, local food and drink including seafood, award-winning lamb, real ale and spirits will be available, while stalls furnished with high quality products with a Shetland origin or theme will line the pier.
Event organiser Nicola Halcrow said: “We were overwhelmed with the success of last year’s event. 25,000 people over a five-day period visited the pier to participate in the event. We are delighted that Flavour of Shetland has become a focal point on our events calendar and that we have such an impressive programme of activities again this year.
“Flavour of Shetland is designed to bring together locals and visitors alike to enjoy some Shetland hospitality and celebrate the very best of what Shetland has to offer in terms of music, food, drink, crafts and culture. Shetland has just been ranked number two in the Guardian’s best places to head for this summer and I believe, with so much happening over the four days, there will definitely be something for everyone to enjoy.”
Further information from:
Nicola Halcrow, Shetland Islands Council, tel 01595 744944, email nicola.halcrow@sic.shetland.gov.uk
Or Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465, email louise.rosie@shaw-online.com