Walls, Shetland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walls
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 Boats at Walls on a warm summer afternoon |
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 Walls
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| OS grid reference | HU240494 |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SHETLAND |
| Postcode district | ZE2 |
| Dialling code | (01595) 809xxx |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Walls, also known as Waas, is a small community in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. It is located on the south side of West Mainland. Walls sits at the top of Vaila Sound, a calm bay. Nearby islands like Linga and Vaila protect it from strong winds. The area of Walls also includes islands like Foula and Papa Stour.
What's in a Name?
The name Walls comes from the Old Norse word Vágar. This word means "voes" or "bays." A "voe" is a narrow sea inlet, similar to a fjord. Over time, Vágar became "Waas" in the local Shetlandic dialect.
It's a bit of a mystery how "Waas" turned into the spelling "Walls." Some people think that Scottish settlers might have written the sound "vá" as "wall." The "ll" in "Walls" might have been silent at first.
The area's old name, Vágarland, was used by a local poet. He chose it as his pen name, Vagaland.
A Look Back in Time
Walls has a rich history. A pier, which is like a dock for boats, was built here in the 1700s. From 1838, Walls became an important place for fish curing. This means they would preserve fish so it could be stored and eaten later.
Today, Walls is quieter than it used to be. You can still see signs of its past wealth. Large old houses like Bayhall and Voe House show how important the area once was. There are also three churches around the sound. Two are still used for services, and one was turned into a bakery.
Walls is also known as the childhood home of two famous poets. These are Vagaland (Thomas Alexander Robertson, 1909–1973) and Christine De Luca (born 1947). In 1884, Peter Fraser (1884–1966) was born here. He was a musician and helped start the Shetland Fiddlers' Society. William Moffatt, an author, was also born in Walls that same year.
Life in Walls Today
Walls is a popular spot for people who love sailing. A marina, where boats can dock, is located just east of the village center. Fishing boats still use the pier on the west side of Vaila Sound. This pier is also where you can catch the ferry to Foula island. Foula is about 20 miles (32 km) west, out in the Atlantic Ocean.
Today, Walls is home to Iris Sandison. She is a children's writer who writes in the Shetland dialect. She also works as the secretary for the local history group.
Walls is famous for its yearly agricultural show. This event is called 'da Waas Show' by locals. A short film from the early 1960s shows what the show was like back then.
