The infamous Press Gangs were at large, rounding up young Shetland men with valuable nautical skills to go to war.

Did you know? One mother in Fetlar, so afraid she would lose her sons to the Navy, helped them to escape by getting a boat ready and filling it with food. As the press gang reached the beach, the sons had already set off, hiding in caves until the coast was clear. During this time, 120 men from Fetlar left, and only 20 returned.