Video: Shetland Boat Week

THE FINAL weekend of Shetland Boat Week was blessed with some fine weather – apart from on Saturday when dark clouds gathered and the heavens opened over Lerwick just in time for the sea parade.

Led by the museum’s own sixareen Vaila Mae, around 15 traditional boats participated in the hour long display, which was one of the highlights of the week-long festival celebrating Shetland’s maritime heritage.

Centred around the boatshed at the Shetland Museum and Archives, the team behind the boat week had managed to organise a wide range of almost 60 events including boat trips, tours, lectures and workshops.

Event co-ordinator Emma Miller said: “The atmosphere around Hay’s Dock through the week was fantastic. It was so good to see so many folk just milling around, speaking about boats and getting involved with the event.

“The feedback from those who were off with the boats was excellent.

“There were a lot of comments on how much the event has grown from last year, and that’s largely down to the incredible community support for Shetland Boat Week.”

Miller added that during the week over 500 people took to the sea either on the Vaila Mae or on board the restored fishing boat Swan.

Meanwhile the fourareen being built in the museum’s boatshed by Jack Duncan and Robbie Tait will be completed in the coming weeks. Progress can be followed via webcam at www.shetlandboatweek.com/traditional-boat-building-project

A handover will take place later this year when the boat will be officially presented to project sponsors Serco NorthLink Ferries.

The dates for Shetland Boat Week 2018 are provisionally set as 6 to 12 August.