Sat next to the window in our rented
accommodation in Burravoe, Yell, the February Shetland weather is
somewhat stormy.
View from Overby window 15th
February, 2015.
Overlooking the voe, and further to
Yell sound, with the sea crashing against the rocks, this is an ideal
spot to commence this blog. It is difficult to define when this
journey of discovery commenced – many events have influenced the
choice of subject matter – but as good a choice as any would be
November 2013.
Overby, Burravoe, Yell, Shetland
A holiday in Shetland in November
could perhaps be viewed as a somewhat eccentric enterprise. The
accommodation, Overby, was taken for the entire month, and an
exploration of much of the islands was undertaken. Reading some local
history, the story of the 1881 Gloup Fishing Disaster, and the
subsequent erection of the memorial in the centenary year became of
interest. The memorial overlooks Gloup Voe, from where many of the
lost boats left to fish the far Haaf, and, to an ex-fisherman such as
this author, presents a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by
those who go to sea, and those left to await their return.
Gloup Memorial – Wife with Child
await the return.
On the last day of that 2013 visit,
we looked in at the Mareel. As a result of picking up a leaflet
there, I enrolled as a mature student on the MA (Music and the
Environment) course with the University of the Highlands and Islands.
The final module, which is the subject of this blog, involves the
writing and production of a multi media work, obviously with a
significant musical content. Students are encouraged to write on a
topic concerning the history, culture and/or environment of a locale.
Students are also encouraged to involve and utilise local
communities. Having continued an interest in the Gloup Disaster, and
particularly the aftermath, this became my chosen subject.
Subsequent postings will update on
progress to date in the research and evolving thoughts on the
production.
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