Isles musicians put on capital Hogmanay show

SOME OF Shetland’s most gifted musicians brushed off any lingering New Year hangovers to lay on an afternoon of traditional music as part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations on Wednesday.

The Shet:Land event saw Fiddlers’ Bid, Reid sisters Jenna and Bethany, and three quarters of the group Vair performing two sets each, followed by a grand finale session of Shetland tunes at Greyfriars Kirk.

Jonny Polson, who plays in Vair along with Lewie and Erik Peterson, said there had been a “fantastic” atmosphere in the historic old kirk.

JJ Jamieson provided footage for three projector screens showing a panoramic sequence of Shetland scenery videos, while the audience was kept refreshed with teas, coffees and tattie soup.

Polson said the ambient background “certainly made a great impact on the music being played, giving the audience a homely Shetland feel”.

He thanked Shetland Arts for helping, in conjuction with Unique Events, to organise Shet:Land and added it had left “lots of punters curious and excited at the Shetland music scene”.

It was one of nine venues in Edinburgh’s old town showcasing music and culture from different parts of the country.

Lynda Anderson of Shetland Arts said it had been a valuable showcase for the isles more generally, with the Jarl’s Squad and Andy Steven of Promote Shetland also present.