‘I never realised it would be such a hit’ – fluffy slippers voicebank message goes viral

Michael Williamson had encouraged folk to put their ‘fluffy slippers on and have a sweet sherry’

8 January 2025 17:16

Michael Williamson relaxes with his fluffy slippers on and a sweet sherry after his voicebank message went viral.

WHEN Michael Williamson updated the Yell Sound ferry voicebank on a snowy 3 January, he had no idea that so many people would listen to his message.

But his sound advice, delivered to the people of Yell and beyond, captured the imagination and soon went viral on social media across the isles.

His instructions? Anyone thinking of venturing out in the cold should instead sit at home “with their fluffy slippers on and have a sweet sherry”.

Shared by former Yell Sound skipper Steven Spence on Facebook, Williamson’s voicebank voice-over soon racked up hundreds of likes and shares – with a post on Shetland News Facebook page doing likewise.

Spence’s post was viewed more than 56,000 times.

And the attention didn’t stop there – with a country song conjured to commemorate Williamson’s light-hearted ode to fuzzy footwear and alcoholic refreshments.

With a chorus that reminds folk of Williamson’s instructions – “its no a day to heid fir da ferry” – it was also soon winging its way around the WhatsApp groups of people all over Shetland.

Williamson, who is the council’s route master for the North Isles, has been left bemused by the reaction to his viral voicebank.

“I did not think my voicebank would have had that effect,” he told Shetland News.

“I never realised it would be such a hit!”

For Shetland Islands Council, the episode just highlighted how important its ferry voicebanks are for getting the word around quickly.

“Voicebanks are the easiest means of providing regular updates on our inter-island ferry services, direct from the crew of the vessel,” ferry operations manager Andrew Inkster said.

“Ferry operations are always keen to highlight any changes as soon as possible, to keep the travelling public informed, and crews occasionally offer some light-hearted festive advice too.”

For Williamson there was one thing left to do after the excitement of his festive folly had died down – put his feet up in his fluffiest slippers and crack open the bottle of Bristol Cream.