Shetland Produce

Food

Our outstanding produce already has a place on many Shetland menus, but it’s also finding its way into kitchens well beyond our islands, wherever discerning food lovers are to be found. The islands’ fishermen still supply top-quality fish and shellfish to customers in Shetland, the rest of the UK and overseas. Although most of Shetland’s lambs are still sent to north-east Scotland for fattening in the autumn, there is growing interest in lamb that has been reared entirely in the islands, which is not surprising, because it has a truly exceptional flavour. As well as being widely available in Shetland, it’s sold by a small but growing number of high-class butchers elsewhere in Britain. Shetland beef is also delicious, but is produced in quite small quantities; it may be very hard to find, but well worth the effort.

However, Shetland producers offer much more than fish and meat. There are vegetables, including the renowned Shetland Black potato along with kale, carrots and turnips. We also have some salads, herbs and fruit.  Rhubarb grows particularly well and can make a great pairing with mackerel or herring. There is also a great range of bread, cakes, biscuits and oatcakes from our small, traditional bakeries. Our producers have also turned a hand to producing fudge, chocolate and ice cream.

If you’re interested in tracking down Shetland food, the easiest place to start is in the Shetland Food Directory, which is available online at Food Shetland. It has details of many local producers and also lists several of Shetland’s eating places.