Dr Adrian Osler considers the cost for John T. Laurenson to build a boat in 1938
Dr Adrian Osler examines the cost of building a traditional Shetland four-oared boat (fourareen) in 1938.
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Nov 8, 20225 min read
John T. Laurenson, fisherman and boatbuilder, 1876-1950
Back in July I met the grandson of the Burra boatbuilder John Thomas Laurenson, who also happens to be called John. Over a cup of tea...
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Sep 23, 20203 min read
Gronataing fishing station and farm.
On an eerily foggy September morning I explored the deserted ruins at Gronataing in Waas.
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Jul 30, 20205 min read
Tales fae da Noost
During our Caain da Noosts lockdown project we have been delighted to receive stories from across Shetland. What follows next are just a ...
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Jun 24, 20201 min read
Loving the Caain da Noosts Project!
We are delighted with the community response to our noost hunt. Since the project was launched in April we have added 90 single and ...
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May 28, 20206 min read
Musings Around Eddie's Noost
If you go down Sundibanks and look right, you see a little böd right at the beach. That’s Eddie’s böd. Walk down to it and there’s ...
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Apr 19, 20205 min read
Ness Yoal builders: chips and shavings by Dr Adrian Osler
Bare mention of the Ivy LK237 is quite sufficient to throw this author back over forty years in time, to a couple of days of dank summertime
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Mar 24, 20203 min read
Hard Times, but we'll pull through!
For all of us life, during the past few weeks, has become to a greater or lesser degree surreal. On the one hand everything is pretty normal
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Feb 19, 20203 min read
Ness Yoals
The Ness yoal is a type of six-oared boat, originally designed and used for commercial dorro (handline) saithe fishing. ...
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Jan 27, 20201 min read
2020 is Year of the Burra Noost!
The big news for 2020 is that Moder Dy is planning to begin the Burra Noost Project this coming May! Of course we need to secure some...
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Dec 6, 20195 min read
Learn About Fishing Boats of Viking Origin.
...Whilst in Eastbourne I became interested in the comparison between vernacular fishing boats from nearby Hastings with those from ...
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Oct 27, 20193 min read
Shetland - an Industrial Coastal landscape?
I had a friend’s son staying in July, a student from England up for a last weekend of freedom before the summer job. He had never visited...
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Sep 2, 201910 min read
Ruminations on Rudders… Dr Adrian Osler
This months' guest journal post is written by eminent Shetland boat researcher Dr Adrian Osler. ...
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Jul 30, 20194 min read
Outer Tumble Wick Fishing Station
A little known about, and intriguing, fishing station with well preserved boat noosts and an artificial fish drying beach.
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Jun 29, 20194 min read
Conserving a Rare Museum Treasure
Read about the conservation of this unusual Norwegian færing which has been modified for use in Shetland. This boat was used during WWII ...
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Jun 3, 20192 min read
Boats in sheds on Whalsay
An amazing, fun day out on Whalsay looking at historic boats that are resting in sheds.
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Apr 14, 20192 min read
We are fundraising!
Help us begin the Burra Noost Project! Please help us raise the funds needed to enable Moder Dy to begin the innovative, exciting and...
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Mar 22, 20194 min read
Stop the Rot!
In my opinion there is nothing sadder than seeing a traditional Shetland boat lying in its noost, slowly rotting away. Sadly many of...
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Mar 3, 20192 min read
Things are happening!
As the days gradually get lighter, Moder Dy is beginning to come to life, our plans and aspirations taking shape as we enter Moder Dy's...
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Feb 20, 20192 min read
New finds reveal an ancient fishing saga.
The other week I was having a meeting with Dr Ian Tait, Curator, of the Shetland Museum & Archives. My meetings with Ian are always...
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