Tenth nature festival to offer something for everyone

THE PROGRAMME for this year’s Shetland Nature Festival has been released, with a coastal foraging event and songwriting workshops on offer.

The festival, which is now in its tenth year, will take place between 1 and 9 July.

It will launch with an open day in Noss on the Saturday, while a number of events will be held during the week.

They include a coasteering exercise, educational visits for children and guided tours.

Scottish singer-songwriter Jenny Sturgeon will lead songwriting workshops involving ideas inspired by nature, while the team from Our Dynamic Earth will deliver activities.

The festival is organised by Geopark Shetland, and managed by Shetland Amenity Trust in partnership with RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

The amenity trust’s geology project officer Rory Tallack said the programme caters for everyone, from “children and families to wildlife enthusiasts”.

“Local artist Diane Garrick will be leading another botanical-drawing workshop in the picturesque Stevenson Centre at Sumburgh Head, while kids can be amazed by magical storytelling at Kergord,” he said.

Tickets for Shetland Nature Festival go on sale from Monday (5 June). View the full programme here.