A host of characters who live on Scotland's remote Shetland Islands are to become TV stars as a new fly-on-the-wall show is launched on Sunday.
The show will be narrated by actor Mark Bonnar who starred as Duncan Hunter in the hit BBC drama Shetland and is set to boost tourism in the region.
Shetland: Scotland's Wondrous Isles will run as a five-part series on Channel 5 and in celebration of the show, the bosses at the channel are going to have the continuity announcements for the show's launch in Shetland dialect for the first time.
The show is set to shine a light on Shetland (Daisybeck Studios/Corcadal Productions)The series, co-produced by Daisybeck Studios and Corcadal Productions, will feature both native Shetlanders and settlers, to give viewers a glimpse into their lives on the idyllic islands nicknamed 'The Seychelles' due to their sandy white beaches.
The Islands, which were originally owned by Norway 600 years ago, are closer to the Arctic Circle than London and one native Shetlander has also never set foot in England or been abroad, such is her love for the islands.
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The series has been beautifully shot to show off the gorgeous scenery and also the abundance of wildlife including sea birds, seals and Orca Whales, so VisitScotland hopes the show could help boost tourism.
Two series that were made by Daisybeck Studios - Isle of Wight: Jewel of the South and Jersey and Guernsey - both narrated by Alan Titchmarsh and on Channel 5 - did boost the local economies after tourism chiefs saw a big boost in visitors and hotel bookings as a result of the programmes.
Steve Mathieson, VisitScotland Island Manager for Shetland, said: “It’s fantastic to see Shetland’s awe-inspiring natural beauty, unique wildlife and distinct culture brought to life in this exciting new series.
"Our research shows that locations featured on TV or in film can often inspire and influence people when making their travel plans. Our hope is that this new show continues this trend and encourages viewers to become visitors and experience Shetland and its unmissable offering for themselves.”
Characters in the show
Sally Reay and Jen Clark - wardens on Noss:
They live an incredible life filled with nature (Daisybeck Studios/Corcadal Productions)Both Sally and Jen are the only inhabitants of the remote isle of Noss along with 150,000 seabirds and they work as NatureScot wardens, helping keep an eye on the 1,600 annual visitors who take the ferry to Noss in search of silence and solitude, they are also responsible for monitoring the seabirds on the island.
They live a simple life in an old Crofters house with no mains gas, not enough water to run a washing machine and only solar panels for electricity and have to go to their office on the mainland for a shower.
Jen, originally from Paisley, Scotland, said: "Nothing beats Noss, it's like The Seychelles here, it's just gorgeous.'
Sally, originally from Newcastle, said: "At the end of the season we put the flag up to signal that the island is closed."
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Pearl Young, 75, a crofter:
Pearl has chickens, goats and an array of crops to make her self-sufficient. (Daisybeck Studios/Corcadal Productions)Pearl from Wester Skeld, said: "Shetland is special to me as I was born and bred here and as long as my feet are on Shetland that's all that matters to me. I've never even set foot on England and I don't want to go abroad, I have no desire to leave here."
Pearl comes from a family line of crofters who live off the land. Pearl has chickens, goats and an array of crops to make her self-sufficient.
She lives on her croft with husband Willie and they have been married for nearly 50 years. She said: "This is life for me, it's hard work when you're in cold, gales and snow but I just love it."
Jan and Pete Bevington, from Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary:
Jan and Pete run the only wildlife sanctuary on Shetland and look after many seals who need help. Jan arrived on Shetland 50 years ago and Pete 30 years ago. They both fell in love with the place, each other and the way of life.
Pete said: "I came for two weeks and never left, I married a seal sanctuary and just loved the way of life. The seals are beautiful animals and to be able to have direct contact with them is special."
Jan and Pete, in the show, are helping seals Izzy and Lucy who were rushed into them close to death and it's their job to help them get strong enough to be released into the wild.
- Shetland: Scotland's Wondrous Isles is on Sunday at 9pm on Channel 5.
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