Despite the fact that i grew up in the Shetand Islands, i haven't kept up with the TV programme. I watched the 1st and 2nd series but that was it. I did notice the 3rd series on 'Drama' channel, so i recorded it but haven't got round to watching it.

It is nice to see places i remember, and it is a beautiful (if bleak) part of the country, but i was a little irate that there was only one proper Shetland accent on the 2 series i have seen. Having said that, it may be for the best, most folk, apart from Shetlanders (obviously) and Orcadians wouldn't have the faintest idea what was being said, you'd need subtitles!.

Shetland and Orkney are on my to do list but unfortunately I'm addicted to the Western Isles and their siren call.......

I agree that Scotland in general is a remarkable country to visit. It has everything you could possible wish for in terms of countryside and seashore. I worked there extensively for over 20 years and fortunately did not require an interpreter because my father was from Paisley and never lost the accent. I spent many years there as a child and got attuned to the accent. I worked on Lewis, Orkney and Shetland in the 90's early 2000's and stayed up there because of the time and distance for travelling. Marvellous. The last job I did there was the extension and re-development of the lighthouse at Sullum Voe in about 2011, just prior to retiring. The lighthouse gallery cafe was featured in the Shetland detective series and filmed as a hotel setting. Looking forward to the new series myself. All the usual Scottish character actors make their appearance, luckily as badbusdriver points out, they use their own accents for the sake of clarity. As for Edinburgh, I much prefer Glasgow. It has a vibrancy about it that staid 'old reekie' doesn't have. Still, you pays your money..........

Cheers Concrete

I will save a few episodes and watch them back to back through the i player service. prefer that to weekly episodes. Shetland will no doubt become the Scottish Midsummer when the murders exceed the islands population!

Lots of fairly non tourist places to explore which are quieter and just as beautiful. Dumfries and Galloway has some gems with Loch Ken, St John's Town of Dalry, Kirkcudbright, Whithorn and Port Patrick. people tend to drive by on the M74 and head upwards, pity. Also around Argyll and Bute there is the Campbelltown peninsular, Lochgilphead, Inverary, Tayvallich and the Crinnan canal. Again most people drive straight on past Loch Lomond and head up to Tynedrum and the Highlands. All just part of the tapestry waiting to be seen. I will be up there just after Easter for my Scotland fix. Enjoy.