‘Humble and modest’ Northmavine crofter Addie Doull will be sorely missed
TRIBUTES have been paid to North Mainland crofter, wool enthusiast, community stalwart and former SIC councillor Addie Doull who died suddenly on Saturday.
A former patron of Shetland Wool Week, one of the isles’ most successful cultural and heritage events, the 81-year-old from Islesburgh, Sullom, was well known for his passion and knowledge of the local sheep sector.
His sudden death was announced by his family on Sunday.
In an Instagram post they said: “A dear husband, dad, da, brother, uncle, friend and much more. He will be so missed.”
Adam Thomas Doull, known to everybody as Addie, has been described as a “very thoughtful man” who will be greatly missed in the community.
A crofter with a deep passion for “everything Shetland”, he was known for breeding Shetland native sheep and cattle, and for promoting the quality of the local wool.
But in the early days of the industry, he was also a salmon farmer at a time when fish farming was still seen as an extension of crofting.
He was involved in setting up the Shetland Livestock Marketing Group and the local slaughterhouse, a cornerstone for local farmers and crofters to market their own products.
He also was a councillor for the Shetland North ward for five years from 2007 to 2012 and served as vice-chair of the council’s development committee.
Paying tribute, former North Mainland councillor Alastair Cooper said Addie was “perhaps far happier in a boilersuit” than in the council chamber where things usually progress slowly.
“He was very thoughtful man who will be a great miss to the community,” Cooper said.
“He had a great caring for Shetland and everything Shetland, and he was deeply involved in everything to was going in the community. He was a very respected man in the community.
“He thought about things before he spoke,” Cooper added. “He wasn’t one who made friends quickly but once you were a friend you were a friend for life.”
Fellow farmer Ronnie Eunson, of Uradale, said “Addie Doull was first and foremost a Shetland gentleman”.
He added: “Addie will be remembered as an acknowledged expert and lifelong supporter of Shetland’s native sheep and kye. Along with his wife Margaret, they won local and national recognition for their skills in Shetland wool.
“Whether as a representative to the NFUS [National Farmers Union Scotland] or as an SIC councillor Addie’s opinions were always sought as a considered position. He was never rash in voicing his thoughts and you knew if he expressed them everyone would do well to listen.
“Humble and modest about his achievements he recognised the challenges in developing business in the isles. Always he aspired to perfection in whatever he did.
“Islesburgh was always a pleasure to visit and a place to learn from. Addie’s passing will be a huge loss to Shetland agriculture.
“Our sympathies go out to Margaret and the family who without doubt will continue to display the Islesburgh exceptionalism.”
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