A Shetland picnic hamper

One of my favourite things to do when I visit somewhere new is to check out the local food and drink scene. And by this, I don’t just mean trying out the local eateries – which is a must, of course – but to try local produce from the shops too, pack a picnic and head out on an adventure.

Shetland has no shortage of great picnic spots, and there are many stunning places to enjoy a secluded, quiet picnic. Many areas are not easily served by a cafe or restaurant, so it’s a good idea to think about taking a picnic if you’re heading out on a remote walk off the beaten track. As a family, we often pack a picnic and head into the hills, to the beach or up a burn with our supper squirrelled away in rucksacks and cool bags.

Shopping locally not only allows you to pick up foods that you would otherwise miss if you were to buy from a supermarket, but it also feeds directly back into the local economy, ensuring that small businesses can thrive.

The following is a non-comprehensive list of a few of my favourite picnic foods that you can enjoy in Shetland:

Shetland Farm Dairies is a local cooperatively owned dairy producing milk, cream, buttermilk and butter. If you’d like a souvenir from Shetland, why not buy one of the refillable glass milk bottles that can be refilled in local shops throughout Shetland and taken home with you when you leave. Buttermilk is an essential ingredient in the famous Shetland bannock, widely available from local bakeries and best served with a generous portion of salt beef.

If you want to push the boat out and add some class to your picnic, head to one of the local fish shops and buy some fresh salmon or smoked fish. Shetland is renowned for its seafood, and you can pick up smoked fish ready to enjoy or, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not buy some fresh mackerel or mussels and cook them up on a camping stove at your chosen picnic spot? Some local fishing boats will sell direct from the boat, including the May Lily, a Burra-based fishing boat. You might even want to try and catch your own supper. There’s nothing like a fresh mackerel bun with a liberal helping of locally-produced sweet chilli sauce from Whalsay Made on a summer evening.

I don’t know about you, but I find supermarket bread incredibly tasteless and not particularly filling. Shetland has several independent bakeries offering a range of breads, cakes and biscuits, including Sandwick Baking Company, Johnson & Wood, Da Kitchen Bakery and Waas Bakery. Waas Bakery is one of the best, offering a range of artisan breads, including sourdough and their famous ‘tattie bread’ – perfect for any picnic. Local breads are available from most local shops. Waas Bakery has also committed not to use any palm oil in any of their products, and their cheerful branding depicts Shetland’s famous Fair Isle knitwear.

Local shops such as Sound Service Station, Bolts Minimarket and Scalloway Meat Company usually have a good selection of local cold meats and hams, perfect for sandwiches and salads. Cold meats are ideal if you are in a hurry or want to make your sandwiches up as you travel. If you get the chance, be sure to try some of the local saat [salt] beef – just be sure to pack plenty of liquids to relieve the ensuing thirst.

Transition Turriefield is an independent social enterprise based in Shetland’s West Mainland, growing fruit and vegetables for the local community. They supply local shops, including Scoop Wholefoods, all year round with seasonal produce. They pride themselves on their green credentials and use no chemical fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides on their crops.

Sometimes you want something more than a sandwich, and a trip to the local butchers will turn your picnic into a cooked meal. We often pack a small camping stove, a pack of Sandwick Baking Company rolls and a string of butcher sausages from Scalloway Meat Company, Sound Service Station Butchers or Andersons Butchers for something warm and filling when we’re out and about. The local butchers also offer fantastic barbecue packs containing all the ingredients for the perfect beach barbecue. Remember, if you’re taking a barbecue with you, it’s important that you pack it up and take the rubbish home with you when you leave.

Every good sandwich needs a little ‘something extra’ to give it an added zsa zsa zsu. You’ll find locally-made chutneys, sauces and relishes at Scoop Wholefoods, Island Larder and other local shops across the isles. Whalsay Made’s sweet chilli sauce and Island Deli’s caramelised red onion chutney are a few of the best.

You may have created an epic picnic from the suggestions above, but you still fancy something sweet to complement your cold meat sandwiches, smoky sausage rolls and fresh mackerel. If so, stop at one of the many honesty boxes dotted around the islands selling a wide selection of sweet treats and bakes. Some of the best cake fridges and honesty boxes are the Original Cake Fridge and Tearoom outside Aith and Marina’s Cake Cabinet in Burra.

We’ve covered every culinary area, and now all that remains is something to wash it all down with. Lerwick Brewery brews a range of craft beers. If you fancy something stronger, why not try some Shetland Reel Gin, produced by Shetland Distillery. Their gins are all island-inspired and created in the UK’s most northerly distillery. Look out for Island Botanicals’ unique loose-leaf herbal teas for those who prefer a refreshing cup of tea. You’ll find these in Scoop Wholefoods, Island Larder and several other small shops.

For a more in-depth look at some of Shetland’s local food and drink businesses, Taste of Shetland offers a comprehensive list and map of where to find them.