The Essay: Circumnavigation of the British Isles in Traditional Boats

Original version

BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Essay Podcast

The Essay

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: A Circumnavigation of the British Isles in Five Traditional Boats: Shetland Whillies, Yoals and Sixerns

Shetland Whillies, Yoals and Sixerns

A Circumnavigation of the British Isles in Five Traditional Boats

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, A Circumnavigation of the British Isles in Five Traditional Boats, Shetland Whillies, Yoals and Sixerns

Brian Wishart in Lerwick on Shetland's traditional boats, still influenced by the Vikings.

Shetland was part of the Kingdom of Norway. Brian Wishart reflects on the Norse influence still clear in the boats there, which come to points at both ends, like Viking longships.

John Ruskin observed that the bow of a wooden boat is ‘the pinnacle of Man's achievement’. He appreciated that some of our most beautiful and effective creations are not designed as such but evolve to fulfil their task in their place, according to the history and affections of the people who use them. Some are scarcely noticed - because they are not buildings but boats, built to do jobs. In this series of The Essay five writers, each personally involved with their craft, circumnavigate the British Isles in five traditional boats – without leaving home.

From the 10th century to the 15th, Shetland was part of the Kingdom of Norway. Norse heritage still influences the islands’ language, music and boats. Whillies, yoals and sixerns are all akin to Viking longboats - light, fast and coming to a point at both ends. Shetlander Brian Wishart writes about these boats, how they shaped lives in Shetland for centuries - and still do today in Shetlanders' love of racing small sailing versions of them. 

Wishart tells, too, of his experiences sailing the Vaila Mae, a copy of a 19th century sixern, learning the forgotten skills of handling this larger boat, which Shetlanders sailed or rowed far out to sea, to fish for saithe, ling and tusk at the 'Far Haaf', the distant water at edge of the continental shelf.

Presenter: Brian Wishart
Producer: Julian May

The Essay: A Circumnavigation of the British Isles in Five Traditional Boats

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Five writers circumnavigate the British Isles in traditional boats - without leaving home.

Five writers, each personally involved with their craft, circumnavigate the British Isles in five traditional boats - without leaving home.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Essay

A Circumnavigation of the British Isles in Five Traditional Boats

Shetland Whillies, Yoals and Sixerns

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 3

About BBC Radio 3