Shame about the eating

We have just returned from a few days in Shetland organised by Leask’s. We brought our 1937 Bentley and drove it to Sumburgh on Thursday and to Sullom Voe on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday it was at the Clickimin Centre for display.

On Sunday we went on the coach trip to Yell and Unst, arriving back at 5.30pm. Four stalwart men were ready to push the car out the door so that we could reach the ferry. That was symptomatic of the excellent organisation during the show. The large turnout of cars is testament to the reputation of the event.

If there is one thing that would have made life easier and happier, it would be to know where to eat. The rally organised lunch for us on Thursday and Friday but when we tried to eat at the Shetland Museum restaurant on Saturday lunchtime we were told we should have booked.

At night when we tried to get a quick meal before the foy, there was nowhere to eat – they were all booked.

No doubt local people know to book ahead but it is not something we’d normally do when we want a quick meal at the museum or in a cafe. Most of the tables were empty for hours until the booked guests arrived. We could quite easily have eaten and left in that time.

Perhaps there is room for more restaurants – or maybe you should tell visitors that booking is essential, even if it is only two people for a quick meal – or perhaps restaurants could have “two sittings” and expect people to come early if they haven’t booked.

Fish and chips in the street is fine when the weather is good but not when it is cool.

Irene Stirton
Edinburgh.