Edinburgh & District Shetland Association

The Edinburgh and District Shetland Association was established in 1928 to cater for the social needs of an extensive Shetland connected community in and around Edinburgh and Leith. While the size of this community has varied over the years and the style of social events has changed, the aims of the Association remain the same. Today the Association is a lively forward looking community running regular ceilidh dances during Winter months in the Thomas Morton Hall at Leith Town Hall and other events during the year, with a specifically Shetland flavour. Members, their friends and visitors are very welcome to join us at all events.Annual Subscriptions are now due - see Membership

Update: During the Coronavirus crisis, all events and meetings are cancelled until further notice.

Recently (Spring 2022) EDSA have re-initiated the monthly pub lunches in the Conan Doyle (first Fridays of a month) - if you aren't on Malcolm Linklater's email list for those, contact him. There has been one committee meeting in 2022 but the meeting for March 2022 was cancelled because few could attend. We hear Leith Town Hall is undergoing refurbishment so will not be available as a venue if we do re-start events for 2022-23. An alternative will need to be sought and suggestions are welcome.

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Note: There is a Newsletter (January 2021), and a new one to be added.

The 2019-20 EDSA programme (link) has now been published and we hope to see you at as many events as you can make it to - and we hope that existing members will renew membership and new members (full for Shetland-connected folk or associate for friends who enjoy our events) are always welcome. We are aware of Shetland folk and/or their families in and around Edinburgh (or further away) who are not current members and we are keen to get you involved to keep the society relevant and vibrant as generations change, but still want to enjoy a flavour of "hame and hamefolk". Volunteers to help at events, especially with catering, are particularly welcome if you want to get involved. Note that membership is free for Shetland students located in Edinburgh for their various courses. You don't have to be a member to come along to events, but your support through membership is appreciated, and you will be put on our mailing list for any information that is sent out, including the programme/syllabus.

Facebook: We have started a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/edinburghshetlanders/ and events and other news amd photographs will appear there (probably before it appears here, or it may only be there). You should be able to access it even if you have not joined Facebook, and Facebook members should be able to post and comment as visitors. An archive of images will be built up.

Archive: we have added an archive page for copies of old photos and documents. If you have anything that might be of interest please get in touch.

Latest information: Our latest (January 2021) newsletter can be viewed here.

The Wednesday afternoon sheeks at Debenham's in Ocean terminal will be the first Wednesday of the month. The Conan Doyle pub lunch is usually the first Friday of the month at 12 noon.

Last event - Up-Helly-Aa Dance on Saturday 1st February. A selection of photos are on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/edinburghshetlanders/).

Next Event - Sassermaet Supper, Saturday February 29 - a feed of traditional sassermaet, with various entertainments, at Leith Town Hall (Thomas Morton Hall).

For any event there is usually a limit to the numbers the venue can accommodate (usually the Thomas Morton Hall in Leith Town Hall at the bottom of Ferry Road), so tickets will be printed to match that number. To reserve tickets (which can be picked up and paid for at the door on the night) contact Hugh Halcrow by phone (0131 346 7702) or email (see contacts). Any spare tickets will be available at the door, but it is best to reserve them to avoid disappointment.

Check Events News for reports of recent and previous events and "Dis an' Dat" for other news and information snippets. Contact Robin Barclay (email) with any news, information or comment to place on this website. Photos and stories are always welcome from any members.