Westside crofter will be sadly missed
TRIBUTES have been paid to well-respected Westside crofter Marcus Georgeson who died in a tragic accident last week
The 83-year-old was sadly pronounced dead at the scene near Sandsound Voe following an incident involving a quad bike on Friday.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances, and a report was submitted to the procurator fiscal.
The Health and Safety Executive said it was made aware of the incident and is making enquiries.
Georgeson has been described as a well liked member of the local agricultural community.
Shetland West councillor Liz Peterson said: “On Friday, the West side was saddened to learn of the sudden loss of Marcus Georgeson, following a tragic accident.
“Marcus was a well-known crofter in the area, and was a respected and hardworking member of the community.
“His passing has come as a great shock to everyone on the West side of Shetland, and we send our sincere condolences to all his family and friends.”
Chair of the Shetland Agricultural Forum, councillor Stephen Leask, said he last met Georgeson at the annual show at Walls in August, and said it was always a pleasure to catch up.
“He was knowledgeable and progressively thinking about farming/crofting and applied himself in an energetic, effective and as always with crofters and farmers with efficiency,” he said.
“We chatted about the quality of the stock and as a very good stockman, and shepherd, I listened intently to his sage appraisal of the animals on show.
“Sadly, his wife Lilian passed on a few years ago, and must say the light in his eye seemed a little duller, as they were so much together.
“Marcus will be missed by family and friends, the community of the Westside and folk who knew him, his friends at the local church, where he was a regular attendee, also the agricultural community, who all highly respected him for his hard working outlook and his dedication and pride to his croft.”
Leask, who also used to be the regional manager for farming supply firm Harbro, added that all the staff at the Lerwick store always enjoyed Marcus and Lillian’s weekly visits to the shop.