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...
- Sep 23, 2020
- 3 min
Gronataing fishing station and farm.
On an eerily foggy September morning I explored the deserted ruins at Gronataing in Waas.
351 views0 comments
- Jul 30, 2020
- 5 min
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 ...
226 views0 comments
- Jun 24, 2020
- 1 min
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 ...
256 views0 comments
- May 28, 2020
- 6 min
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 ...
285 views0 comments
- Apr 19, 2020
- 5 min
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
287 views0 comments
- Mar 24, 2020
- 3 min
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
107 views0 comments
- Feb 19, 2020
- 3 min
Ness Yoals
The Ness yoal is a type of six-oared boat, originally designed and used for commercial dorro (handline) saithe fishing. ...
689 views0 comments
- Jan 27, 2020
- 1 min
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...
171 views0 comments
- Dec 6, 2019
- 5 min
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 ...
342 views0 comments
- Oct 27, 2019
- 3 min
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...
77 views0 comments
- Sep 2, 2019
- 10 min
Ruminations on Rudders… Dr Adrian Osler
This months' guest journal post is written by eminent Shetland boat researcher Dr Adrian Osler. ...
454 views0 comments
- Jul 30, 2019
- 4 min
Outer Tumble Wick Fishing Station
A little known about, and intriguing, fishing station with well preserved boat noosts and an artificial fish drying beach.
143 views0 comments
- Jun 29, 2019
- 4 min
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 ...
297 views0 comments
- Jun 3, 2019
- 2 min
Boats in sheds on Whalsay
An amazing, fun day out on Whalsay looking at historic boats that are resting in sheds.
273 views0 comments
- Apr 14, 2019
- 2 min
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...
128 views0 comments
- Mar 22, 2019
- 4 min
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...
233 views0 comments
- Mar 3, 2019
- 2 min
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...
76 views0 comments
- Feb 20, 2019
- 2 min
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...
187 views0 comments
- Jan 28, 2019
- 2 min
Up Helly Aa!
The Lerwick Up Helly Aa is one of a series of fire festivals that take place across Shetland at this time of year. The famous procession...
98 views0 comments