Being held hostage

My experience of the Up Helly Aa celebrations was indeed fantastic. Even more than my wildest expectations – in spite of, should I say, the inclement weather.

The volunteers put on a spectacular show. However the only downside if I wanted to fly to Shetland was the air fare.

I flew from Edmonton, Canada to Amsterdam then to Aberdeen with KLM. Return ticket cost for almost 10,000 miles trip was £420.

Cost quoted for return ticket from Aberdeen to Sumburgh plus taxi to Lerwick a trip of approximately 500 miles was £453.

To me this is one giant leap in costs to visit your islands than compared to normal international air fares. All I can say is the residents of the Shetland Isles are held hostage.

My family tree goes deep into the past of the Shetland Isles and I am proud to be apart of that history.

John Bruce

3003 34 Avenue, Edmonton

Alberta, Canada