The story
Shetland Folk Festival in Shetland
The UK's most northerly folk festival, held across Shetland's islands each spring since 1981. Founded by fiddler Tom Anderson to showcase Shetland's distinctive fiddle tradition, it pairs local musicians with touring folk artists across concerts staged throughout the archipelago rather than in a single town.
Shetland Folk Festival held its first edition in 1981, an idea championed by fiddle player and folklorist Dr Tom Anderson and fellow organiser Charlie Simpson, who wanted an event built specifically around Shetland's distinctive fiddle tradition rather than folk music in general terms.