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| | | From Shetland to the Scilly Isles, Open Country travels the UK in search of the stories, the people and the wildlife that make our countryside such a vibrant place. Each week we visit a new area to hear how local people are growing the crops, protecting the environment, maintaining the traditions and cooking the food that makes their corner of rural Britain unique.
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Out Skerries, Shetland
Famous for its birdlife, the Out Skerries are little more than a rocky outcrop 20 miles beyond the island of Shetland and they feel remote, even the people of Shetland consider them remote. The rocks lie at the confluence of the Atlantic and the North Sea half way between Scotland and Norway - in fact the nearest railway station is on Bergen and the islands were, back in the dim and distant past, Norwegian. The weather and its effects on the seas surrounding the islands have shaped Skerries. The island's history is one of adapting and overcoming the elements. Every household has a boat and even children as young as nine take their own boats out to fish. But the islanders have a new force to overcome: the global market has blown the harsh winds of economic reality across the rocks of Skerries, the salmon farm has gone out of business and the school, with only six pupils, has been threatened with closure. There are only 70 islanders left and the people of Skerries are fighting to keep the island alive.
Out Skerries info
Richard Uridge begins the programme aboard The Filla, the ferry that shuttles back and forth three times a week between Lerwick and Skerries. The boat has had to face its share of storms and the captain explains to Richard how it copes as he manoeuvres the boat between the rocks at the entrance to Skerries harbour.
Shetland Ferries info
Alasdair and Jean McBride came to Skerries 10 years ago which, in Skerries terms, means they are relative newcomers. Jean was the community nurse and fell in love with the island at first sight. She and Alasdair love the space and sense of community on Skerries. They say "everyday is different" and the subtleties of the light and the extremes of weather make the island special.
Denise Anderson and Brenda Hay tell Richard how Skerries is a wonderland for children. It's their kids who make up the schools complement of pupils. Denise has four at the primary school and Brenda has two at the secondary school. They say the island gives children much freedom and, if the schools were closed down, their children would have to leave the island at the age of 11 to attend school on Shetland - depriving the kids of family life. For Denise and Brenda it would mean they wouldn't see their kids from Monday to Friday and that they say is "unthinkable".
Davie Johnson was born and bred on Skerries. He has been a fisherman all his life and has built boats since he was a boy. His last boat was a wooden 39-foot fishing boat. Built without plans, it became his pride and joy but, unfortunately, one foggy day off the coast of Whalsay it sank and Davie tells Richard how he survived - even though he couldn't and still can't - swim.
Alice and Gibby Arthur are both Skerry folk through and through. Alice has seven part-time jobs and Gibby used to work on the salmon farm. They are passionate about keeping Skerries alive and tell Richard how the island's history and tangible reminders of their ancestors, the people that have battled to survive on Skerries, are always on their shoulders urging them on. They are determined that the island will thrive and face its future with the spirit that has served Skerries well in the past.
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