Shetland People
Shetlanders take pride in their islands but there is no sense of insularity: visitors are - and always have been - frequent and welcome. Furthermore, Shetlanders have been renowned for their seamanship for centuries and can boast of a rich history of global exploration and adventure.
Lifestyle
The 22,000 people living in Shetland today lead modern lifestyles similar to anywhere else in the developed world. Many people in rural areas still cultivate the land and rear sheep in addition to their main employment, but the hardships faced by islanders in the past are now a mere memory.
Although Shetland is a thoroughly modern place, traditions have not been abandoned or lost. In Shetland today the traditional and modern happily co-exist, with every effort being made to ensure that Shetland's heritage is preserved.
Nationality
As an island community with a distinctive history it is perhaps not surprising that many people in Shetland consider themselves to be 'Shetlanders' first and foremost with any affiliation to Scotland or Britain very much secondary. Even then, there are many distinct communities within Shetland. The people from each individual island tend to have strong bonds between them, as do people from each separate area of the Mainland. Perhaps the most notable differences are in pronounciation and use of the dialect.
Humour
Shetlanders are known for their good sense of humour and their enjoyment of a good time. For an excellent example of this, visit the Unst Bus Shelter web site.
