Shetland's People
The sea is evident in every part of Shetland life, from the climate to the main industries, to the most popular recreational pursuits. The sea is intertwined into the culture and history of the Shetland community and visiting the coast is the top activity for visitors to the islands.
Shetland’s seascape has been formed over millions of years and has created a diverse and unique environment which is valued highly by residents and visitors to the islands. It is an intrinsic part of island life economically and culturally.
Ecosystem Services
We all rely, one way or another, on the Ecosystem Services that our oceans provide. This includes such things as water and nutrient cycling, climate regulation and providing a source of food. But we also gain non-material benefits termed Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES). These include spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation, and aesthetic experiences.
They cover a vast range of services both tangible and intangible as shown in Figure 1. Often CES do not have a direct monetary value making it difficult to quantify, meaning it can get left out of the decision-making process.
Figure 1- Subcategories of cultural services
To help inform the Shetland Islands Regional Marine Plan (SIRMP) on community values and areas of high importance to Shetland's communities, the Marine Spatial Planning Team undertook two pieces of work. A Coastal character assessment and a coastal values survey.
Use the drop down sections below to find out more.
Coastal Values
Coastal Values
The Marine Spatial Planning Team at Shetland UHI conducted a series of Shetland wide surveys to capture people’s opinions on the value and use of different areas of the Shetland coastline and how it makes people feel.
The results of the questionnaires have been collated into a report ‘Understanding community value and use of the Shetland coastline 2021’. The report seeks to provide background information and evidence relating to the Shetland sea and coast, and its use and value to communities. This information was used to develop policies relating to CES within the Shetland Islands Regional Marine Plan (SIRMP).
Download the full report below:
- A Community shaped by the Sea 2021. Understanding community value and use of the marine environment (pdf)
Shetland Coastal Character Assessment
Shetland Coastal Character Assessment
The coasts of Shetland can be split broadly into two categories; inner and outer coast. Two seascape character types have been mapped at a regional level by SNH, which is low rocky island coasts and remote high cliffs. At a local level fourteen coastal character types (CCT) have been identified around the Shetland coastline with a further four sub types. There are also numerous features such as stacks and tombolos which add to Shetland’s coastal character.
The second edition of the SCCA was published in 2021, reviewing and building on the first edition published in 2017.
The aim of the SCCA was to map Shetland coastal character types to inform marine and coastal planning with the objectives of:
- Identifying and mapping different coastal character types at a local level
- Describing the key features and character of each area which relates to the experience of the place
- Identifying any areas around the coast sensitive to onshore and/or offshore development
- Relating the study to other published documents such as the Shetland Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) and the Shetland Local Development Plan (LDP).