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BSA Motorcycles and their history

BSA Motorcycles and their history

Why has Shetland never gone for independence?

Shetland, along with Orkney, became part of Scotland in 1469, when they were pawned to the Scottish crown, believe it or not, as part of a dowry payment from the king of Norway and Denmark to James III of Scotland. The agreement made was that once the full dowry was paid the islands would be returned to Denmark, and until that time Norse laws would remain in place. The dowry never was repaid and Scotland, surprisingly, never made any fuss about it.

Over the next few centuries Denmark appealed to the crown but got nowhere and Norse law ended in 1611 but, and one thing in particular should be remembered, Denmark has never renounced its claim for the isles.

Following the Act of Union between Scotland and England in 1707, at a time when many islanders still spoke the native Norn as their first language, the vast majority of Shetlanders were forced into serfdom. The people were cruelly exploited by their new Scottish landlords until the end of the 19th century.

This somewhat tainted history explains not only the antipathy towards Scotland, which has continued into the 21st century, but also the persistent nostalgia of a romantic, Nordic past, which is continues to be apparent in the Viking festivals of Up Helly Aa, held around the isles each winter.

So, what do the Shetlandic people feel that they are? Do they feel that they are Scottish? I don't think so, not with the history of serfdom to Scotland. Do they feel part of the UK? Again, I don't think so, with all that oil in our water and all of its financial benefits being taken 'doon sooth.'

Shetland Island Council has started to develop another ambitious energy project. The world's largest, community-owned wind farm is set to be built here in Shetland. There will be approximately two hundred huge windmills generating electricity and supplying twenty-five per cent of the power required by Scotland. Scotland will have to pay for this, providing a major financial boost for the Isles. We can look after ourselves.

Remember, Scotland received Shetland as a pawn, nothing more and she has not yet been paid for, that does not make her part of Scotland.

And if Denmark should pay her debt, will we let her take over? That is up to the people but I think that after the lesson that Scotland taught us, I can read the answer written in the oil and in the wind.

I thought that Shetland had drifted too far north

Oh goodness, gracious me, I thought that Shetland had drifted too far north but perhaps not. Perhaps they've fixed it this time, perhaps BT has decided that we're worth re-connecting to. I wonder just how long it'll last this time around.

I've been disconnected from the internet for twenty-two and a half hours this time. I, like everyone else, pay for 24/7. Will there be any discount in the next bill I wonder, you know, just to say sorry.

I must admit that it may not be the whole of Shetland that has been affected, it might just be Hillswick for all that I know. Regardless, it proves time after time what a crap system they are operating.

But they keep on charging - and they don't blush.

VAN

Is Shetland getting ripped off

Is Shetland getting ripped off when it comes to paying for the Internet or is it just as bad as everyone else in the U.K?

When you initially set up your Broadband Internet, you expect it to be available 24/7 – but it is not. First thing in the morning, between 9.00 and 10.30am you very often cannot get on because the rest of the U.K is doing what you want to do. Now, the rest of the country’s schools are closed mid-term and all the children are playing on the internet so it is impossible to get on-line.

The kids have as much right to the internet as we do, I hope that they are learning from their visits to wherever and enjoying it as well – but why am I paying for a full-time service that I get on a part-time basis? Why am I getting ripped off, not supplied with what I pay for?

What are B.T going to do about this system that they sell us – when, in effect, it doesn’t work?

Towards Space

This is a film of a rocket made by a friend on google+. Enjoy!!!