The Scottish Shetland Islands are a cluster of over one hundred islands each with its own heritage and history. They are located about 100 miles of the northern tip of Scotland.
In the early 8th and 9th centuries the Vikings arrived in the Shetlands and ruled for the next 600 years. In 1468 the King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden pawned the islands to James III of Scotland in lieu of Royal dowry. However the Norsemen left their mark on the islands and some of the Norse legends and customs are still celebrated today in festivals held throughout the year.
Scottish Thistle
The prickly purple Scottish Thistle is the national emblem of Scotland. Legend states that invading Danish forces were creeping up on a sleeping Scottish encampment patrolled by one sentry. The Danes were barefooted when one of them stepped on the thistle and let out a cry of pain. This cry awoke the Scots who immediately leaped to their defence and defeated the Danish. The plant which saved them became known as the “Guardian Thistle”.
