Lerwick Town Hall today hosted HRH Prince Charles, The Duke of Rothesay, where he had the opportunity to examine the recent conservation work on the building and the famous stained glass windows.
Earlier, His Royal Highness had formally opened Shetland Islands Council’s Scalloway Fish market, as well as Lerwick’s new Whitefish Market, in a joint ceremony hosted by Lerwick Port Authority.
The Duke was welcomed to the Town Hall by Lord Lieutenant Bobby Hunter, Shetland Islands Council’s Convener, Malcolm Bell, and Chief Executive Maggie Sandison, as well as MP Alistair Carmichael, MSP Beatrice Wishart, and Inspector Martyn Brill from Police Scotland.
Claire White, Manager of Shetland Food and Drink, along with Michael Tait from Shetland Mussels and Jonny Sandison from Lerwick Brewery were on hand to discuss Shetland’s exceptional produce with His Royal Highness. He also had the opportunity to examine some of the best of the isles’ knitwear, with designer Wilma Malcolmson and local knitter Anne Eunson, who also explained more about the popular annual Wool Week.
Traditional musicians Bryan Gear and Violet Tulloch provided the entertainment before the Duke met with some of those who have been closely involved in Shetland’s response to COVID-19. Councillor Emma Macdonald, Deputy Leader of the Council and Chair of the Shetland Integration Joint Board, returned to care work during the pandemic.
From NHS Shetland, Lisa Gray (Public Health Business Manager), Carol Colligan, (Infection Control Manager and COVID-19 vaccinator), Rachael Hunter, (Test & Protect Manager), and Interim Director of Public Health for NHS Shetland Dr Susan Laidlaw, were joined by Anne-Marie Nicolson, Manager of the Wastview Care Centre.
Convener Malcolm Bell: “We were very pleased to be able to have the opportunity to host His Royal Highness, and let him see some of the best the isles has to offer in terms of food, drink, music and textiles. We’re proud of the recent restoration work on the Town Hall and its spectacular windows, which he seemed to be particularly appreciative of.
“He also had the chance to speak to some of those who have very much been on the front line in Shetland’s response to the pandemic. We wish him well for the rest of his visit, and look forward to welcoming him again in the future.”