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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.
Jan 14, 20233 min read
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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...
Nov 8, 20225 min read
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Gronataing fishing station and farm.
On an eerily foggy September morning I explored the deserted ruins at Gronataing in Waas.
Sep 23, 20203 min read
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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 ...
Jul 30, 20205 min read
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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 ...
Jun 24, 20201 min read
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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 ...
May 28, 20206 min read
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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
Apr 19, 20205 min read
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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
Mar 24, 20203 min read
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Ness Yoals
The Ness yoal is a type of six-oared boat, originally designed and used for commercial dorro (handline) saithe fishing. ...
Feb 19, 20203 min read
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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...
Jan 27, 20201 min read
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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...
Oct 27, 20193 min read
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Ruminations on Rudders… Dr Adrian Osler
This months' guest journal post is written by eminent Shetland boat researcher Dr Adrian Osler. ...
Sep 2, 201910 min read
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Outer Tumble Wick Fishing Station
A little known about, and intriguing, fishing station with well preserved boat noosts and an artificial fish drying beach.
Jul 30, 20194 min read
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Boats in sheds on Whalsay
An amazing, fun day out on Whalsay looking at historic boats that are resting in sheds.
Jun 3, 20192 min read
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Noosts and Me - artist & writer Kharis Leggate
I’m Kharis, a Shetlander currently studying for an MA Art, Space & Nature at Edinburgh College of Art. Noosts have drawn my attention ...
May 7, 20194 min read
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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...
Apr 14, 20192 min read
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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...
Mar 22, 20194 min read
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