Cunningsburgh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cunningsburgh |
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 Aithsetter, with Mousa in the distance |
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 Cunningsburgh
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| OS grid reference | HU430301 |
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| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SHETLAND |
| Postcode district | ZE2 |
| Dialling code | 01950 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Cunningsburgh is a small village located in the south of Mainland, Shetland, Scotland. It was once known as Coningsburgh, which means "King's castle" in Old Norse. This coastal village is about nine miles south-west of Lerwick, the main town in Shetland.
Cunningsburgh is found along the A970 road. Even though it's a small place, it has many useful facilities. You can find a primary school, a marina for boats, a community shop, and a public hall. There's also a history centre, a touring park for visitors, and a church. Some smaller areas within Cunningsburgh include Aithsetter, Ocraquoy, and Gord.
Cunningsburgh is also part of the exciting South Mainland Up Helly Aa fire festival (SMUHA). This festival is special because it was the first Up Helly Aa event to choose a female leader, called a Guizer Jarl. Her name was Lesley Simpson, and she led the festival in 2015.
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A Look Back: Cunningsburgh's History
Cunningsburgh has a long and interesting history, with discoveries from ancient times.
Ancient Discoveries
Archaeologists have found a prehistoric quarry site in Catpund, Cunningsburgh. This is where people long ago dug for a soft stone called steatite. They used this stone to make pots and other tools.
A large sandstone block was also found in a burial ground here. This stone dates back to the 10th or 11th centuries. It has Old Norse runic writing on it, which suggests it was put up as a memorial. Today, you can see this special runestone at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Adam Christie: A Local Artist
Adam Christie was a unique artist, poet, and musician born in Aith, Cunningsburgh, in 1869. He became famous for his stone sculptures, especially his carvings of human heads. Sadly, when he was 32, Christie was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and never returned to Shetland.
Even after his death, his artwork has been shown in Montrose and Glasgow. There is a memorial to Adam Christie outside the Cunningsburgh History Group's building. This memorial was paid for by History Scotland and created by one of Christie's own family members.
World War II Plane Crash
During World War II, on November 22, 1944, a de Havilland Mosquito plane (DZ642) crashed in Royl Field, Cunningsburgh. The Cunningsburgh History Group put up a memorial plaque in 2018 to remember the crew of this plane.
The Cunningsburgh Show
The Cunningsburgh Show is a very popular event that happens every year. It's an agricultural show, which means it celebrates farming and local produce.
What is the Show?
The show takes place on the second Wednesday of August. It first started in 1944 as a livestock show, focusing mainly on farm animals. Now, it has grown to be the biggest event of its kind in Shetland. Around 4,000 people come to visit it each year!
What Can You See?
At the show, you can see many different animals, including cattle, sheep, and poultry (like chickens and ducks). There are also many other fun competitions. People can enter their best baking, homemade jams, and even equestrian events (horse riding). In 2014, there were over 2,800 entries across all the different categories!
Recent Changes
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 show was held as a virtual-only event. This meant people could enjoy it online from their homes.
