TV wildlife man to become patron of Shetland Nature Festival

The Shetland Nature Festival partners have announced that renowned wildlife filmmaker Simon King has agreed to become patron of the festival.

Rory Tallack, one of the festival organisers, said: “We are thrilled to have Simon as our new patron. There was really very little discussion as to who should be asked to take on this role.

Simon has had an immeasurable effect on wildlife tourism in Shetland and has taken part in four of the five festivals so far.”

King, whose Shetland Diaries hit UK television screens in 2010, has spent many months filming and working in the isles during recent years.

He said he was very proud to support the festival. “Shetland has a wild magic all of its own … The Shetland Nature Festival celebrates this magic and encourages everyone to get out there, explore and enjoy the world about them.”

This year’s festival, held in partnership with European Geoparks Week, will run between 7th and 15th July and include events all over the isles from Sumburgh Head to Hermaness.

Geopark Shetland’s Robina Barton said the festival schedule would cater for everyone with an interest in Shetland’s natural heritage. “Each day will have a particular ‘focus area’ around which the events will be based; we hope this will allow participants to enjoy as many different events throughout the week as possible.”

Since Shetland Diaries King has been working on a number of other wildlife projects, including the creation of his informative and interactive new website – www.wildlifewhisperer.tv.  

The Shetland Nature Festival is organised by a number of partners, including Shetland Amenity Trust’s ranger service and Geopark Shetland, RSPB, Scottish Natural Heritage and funding from Shetland Islands Council.