Skeld
| Shetland Settlements | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Skeld |
 | |
| UK Grid Reference: | HU310446 (Easter Skeld) HU296438 (Wester Skeld) |
| Distance from Lerwick by road: | 27 miles |
| Community Council: | Sandsting & Aithsting |
| Google Street View: | |
Skeld, (Old Norse : Skjoldr = Shield or shelter ) is a village on the south side of the West Shetland Mainland. The main village is also referred to as Easter Skeld, while the western end of the settlement, about a mile away, is known as Wester Skeld. The council housing estate in Skeld is called Grindibrecks.
The great 20th C. poet Vagaland's father was from Skeld, and he was born Thomas Alexander Robertson at nearby Westerwick. Vagaland retained a love for and a sense of belonging to this part of Shetland, though he moved to Walls as a small child.
A standing stone 'Yahaarwell' overlooks Westerskeld. It is a three-sided block of red granitic stone, standing about 8' 10" high and tapering gradually upwards from the base. In or before 1865-6 six stone 'knives' were found in a row beside it (J Hunt 1866). Another similar stone to the north, now prostrate, is believed locally to have once stood upright and been pushed over in the last century. Probably similar to other double standing stones in Shetland. On the 31st August 1953 the standing stone was listed under the 'Ancient Monuments Acts, 1913-1953'.
Businesses
Shetland Pony Breeders
- Brattibreck Shetland Pony Stud
- Grindins Shetland Pony Stud
- Hestigarth Shetland Pony Stud
- Shoormal Shetland Pony Stud
- Swarthoul Shetland Pony Stud
- Redsand Shetland Pony Stud
- Westerskeld Shetland Pony Stud
See also
