Letters / Shetland must free itself
I am English and British by birth and married into a lovely Shetland family living at Aith, Sandsting in 1949.
Of all places I would like to live, Shetland is way out at the top of the list. At this time disability prevents me moving from where I live on the isle of Skye where the majority of residents refer to the English as incomers who are welcomed with open arms provided they are only holiday makers.
I have lived here for 18 years and prior to that in Glasgow. I did my Royal Naval apprenticeship as a marine engineer at Rosyth starting in 1943 and have always had a love of Scotland.
Shetland and the islands have very different cultures to Scotland, and Shetland at least must free itself from mainland Scotland. Shetland people have a culture unique to themselves.
Alex Salmon and the SNP have their eyes on what they consider to be the ‘Golden Pot’ of oil and renewable energy from wind and, more importantly, waves.
Shetland has a much greater affinity with Scandinavia than with Scotland mainland. United we stand, divided we fall, does not fit the culture equation.
If I had to pick out just one general characteristic of a Shetlander, it would be their genuine acceptance and friendliness of and to other people. As my association with Shetland started when we married in 1949, I have had 62 years to think of this subject.
My wife, a Shetlander, died at 85 in November 2011 but two of her remaining brothers still live at Sandsound.
Perhaps I may see the day when I am able to live in Shetland and satisfy a long held wish.
Yours sincerely
Douglas Twitchen
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