Shetland Flag Shelties

This shot was taken at The Sands of Sound which is located in Lerwick and forms part of a fantastic walk around the cliffs on the east side, leading across the old WWII barracks which still stand today (and hold some interesting stories behind them!). This particular beach was also one of the locations used in the "Shetland" murder series featuring Douglas Henshal as DI Jimmy Perez - I won't give any spoilers but it was a bit of a gruesome scene! Needless to say, it was certainly a more happy scene we created while on our visit there to take this shot! The design you see on the heart depicts the Shetland flag which was created in 1969 to proclaim the islands' unique identity and celebrate the anniversary of the transfer into Scottish rule. The Shetland community was originally under Scandinavian rule during a time where Vikings claimed land for themselves and often utilised the northern isles as stepping stones onto other locations - trading with the locals before they set off on their voyage. Shetland was eventually given to Scotland in 1469 as part of a wedding dowry, however, the locals still have an often passionately strong connection to Norway with many of the traditions and dialect resembling that of Norweign rule, not Scottish. You'll often find as well that many folk, even to this day, while they recognise the islands as being part of Scotland, they will refuse to be identified as being "Scottish". The flag incorporates both sides of the islands history - holding the blue and white colours of Scotland's saltire formed in the style of the Norwegian cross - and can be found proudly flying all over Shetland.