Shetland Heritage Book Shop

Shetland Amenity Trust is set to host a pop-up traditional style bookshop next weekend (28th & 29th November) to mark Book Week Scotland. The public are invited to come along to the Garthspool building and browse a real traditional bookshop, with a wide selection of Shetland themed titles.

Shetland Heritage Publications was established in 2002 with the purpose of enabling the publication of material on Shetland’s heritage and culture which might not otherwise appear in print. The Trust’s publishing arm has produced 37 books to date, covering all areas of Shetland’s heritage and culture.

Visitors can enjoy a coffee and sample some of the recipes from the bestselling 'Cookery for Northern Wives' while listening to readings from authors and having a yarn about books.

Books published cover a wide range of subjects from historical biographical titles about ‘weel-kent’ Shetlanders to stunning volumes on birdlife and textiles. There are more whimsical texts for younger readers, following the adventures of Puffins and Lighthouse Keepers, and serious academic tomes on archaeology and Vikings.

During the weekend a new children’s book will be launched by Andy Ross as he reads the adventures of Sammy the Puffin at 12.00pm on Saturday. Dr Val Turner will be interviewed by Marsali Taylor about the publication of the new Scatness excavation volume, due to be released on 5th December – this book will be available for pre-launch purchase exclusively at this event. Mary Blance will read from Real Shetland Yarns, and Charlie Simpson will read selected passages from Charles Mitchell’s Up Helly Aa – Tar Barrels and Guizing’ book. A number of other author readings are also planned – the full programme can be seen on the website at www.shetlandamenity.com/bookshop.

Event organisers Emma Miller and Davy Cooper have been making preparations this week and Emma said “We’re really looking forward to this event. It’s a great way to remind folk just how many books we have published and showcase them all together, including the new ones we are releasing over the weekend. Our conference room is a beautifully restored space in the old ice factory and will make a perfect backdrop for a traditional bookshop where folk can come and spend time reading, browsing and just having a chat with us and some of our authors.

“We have some great offers this weekend with up to 50% off some books, and a free Book Week Scotland book for everyone who comes along. We’ll also be giving a chance to win a book hamper so it’s work a look in, event to pick up a few Christmas presents!”

New Shetland Heritage Publications titles officially launched over the weekend will include ‘Sammy Finds his Voice’, a children’s book by Andy Ross, and ‘Taatit Rugs – the pile bedcovers of Shetland’ by Dr Carol Christiansen. (Dr Christiansen’s book will launch at Shetland Museum and Archives at 12.00pm on Saturday 28th).

Miss Miller continued “I’m delighted that we will be able to host this event, and launch these new publications during Book Week Scotland so we can tie in with events being held by Shetland Library at Mareel, and really give a focus on the written word.”