Fethaland (or Fedaland) fishing station, at the north tip of Shetland’s mainland, established in the 15th and 16th centuries, was once the busiest haaf (deep-sea) fishing station, with around 60 boats operating from there.

The season was short: from June until August. The workers were accommodated in lodges, which survive today. These huts were drystone with roofs of wood and turf that were removed at the end of each season to protect them from damage by winter storms. The fish were split open and dried on the pebble beach before being exported to market. From the 17th century herring was also brought ashore and salted.

Fethaland became redundant during the 20th century.

See this fascinating video which allows you to step back one hundred and twenty years and visit the Fethaland Fishing Station.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4vYo7emDVM

The video was created by the SCAPE Trust www.scapetrust.org