Bruce, have you had a chance to read a book called "The Farfarers" by Farley Mowat? Gives a really good look into the Native Europeans(yeah, they are a thing) who were chased across from what we now call Scotland all the way to Newfoundland by the Vikings. Mowat actually kicked off the Viking research craze with his first book on them "WestViking" he challenges a lot of "Viking knowledge" that's still used today. Good read and can be found for like 6 bucks American on bargain book sites.
Top-notch video. Would be interesting to know how the Isle of Man and northern Wirral compare in Norse place-name density, and whether the climate back then was more benign. On Man too, 'wick' is used to denote bays, such as Perwick and Fleshwick; 'wick' as port - such as Lundenwic which became the London street Aldwych - would seem a natural association. And isn't 'Viking' more something people did occasionally than a type of people - like raiding neighbours' cattle, but at sea? Hence the islanders turning the usual assumption on its head by 'viking' to Norway.
A Norwegian friend said to me "Ever wonder why those high keeps are there?" "No", said I. "That's so you girls had time to put on your makeup and get down to the strand" "Really! What makes you fellers so hot?" "Well we were the only men in Europe who Bathed!" He had me there.
And up on the hill above the ‘beach house’ were abandoned crofts. Over 1200 years between them, but very little to separate them. The Vikings knew a thing or two.
Incredible! I really enjoyed this lesson, what a wonderful choice for this fine Saturday morn. I've always been fascinated by the Viking era. Thanks again Bruce my friend and good morning from America.
My Mother’s Grandmother came from Sanday, Orkney. Her Grandfather was from Edinburgh. They immigrated to the US in 1889. Some day I’d like to see the Orkney’s. My daughter took me to Scotland in 2016. It was fabulous!
Hi my ancestors are from the Orkney Islands. My great grandfather immigrated from Ramsay to Kirkwall, then as a master stone Mason to Canada post WW1. Ancestors testing shows the Norweigian genes in those of us with the red hair or blonde hair. This confused some till I helped them understand that the Norwegian vikings wintered in the Orkney Islands both on trips to Canada, and when coming to raid the UK. So they mated with the Orkney women.
My dad was born in Glasgow. Dad is blonde hair and blue eyes. My sisters and I are exactly like dad. He is part of a enormous Clan from the Highlands. I was raised listening to Scottish songs,stories and many stories about his clan. We even had kilts of our clan. I visited Glasgow 2 summers ago. I understood the cab drivers. They had dads Scottish accent. Went to see loch ness monster. Traffic was slow and impossible..I found out from a few locals, that they didn't have clans. They knew no one who did.I was disappointed. No one knew what a first footer was! Nye parties,a blonde couldn't be first one to your home (party), very bad.guess it had to do with nordics. But dads Scotland is not today's! 😢😢
My maternal side of the family is from Orkney as well as Edinburgh and my Paternal side is from Oxford and Yorkshire, two different settlements of the Vikings, my family have lived in Australia since the 1890s though when I did a DNA test to discover family, quite a few were from Sweden, NE England, Scotland and quite a few from the US.
Fascinating. Many thanks for this, Bruce. I have observed the similarity of the Shetland place names with those in Norway and the Faroes, e.g. Sandvik, Leirvik, våg (the same as Voe) and so on. One can see the continuities between Shetland and the other Norse lands so clearly. I love it!
I’m a Texan. My grandad was a Buchanan. My DNA says UK 60% and 20% Scandinavian. I have red hair, blue eyes and an angular face. What grandad use to call a Viking face lol.
Pre modern Norse dna from burials shows various coloured eyes and hair, no blonds, reflecting the fact that that the Viking traders travelled as far east as Istanbul, then Constantinople, there were Normans, (northmen) in Scicily, erc. So a well mixed heritage.
Really starting to love this channel. I'm born in Ayrshire, both parents are Scottish. As a Scot, I had more pride in what Scotland had contributed to society: Great engineers, modernity philosophy, medicine etc Then lived in US. They're obsessed with where they came from. Never had that in Scotland. If you're poor (most were) Nobody travelled. You know where you came from! But as I've gotten more interested, you see the family names in the area. My father is from Dundonald, many Frasers, Kilmarnock has Boyd. Loads. Enjoying seeing you put everything together.
My parents migrated to Australia when I was 2 years old, I now live in lovely New Zealand. My parents made certain I knew where I came from. My gf ather and his father were from Greenock. My mother's people were from Port Glasgow My great Grandad Robert Boyd came to Greenock from Killyman, Tyrone, Northern Ireland as did his wife Margaret Hill. The Boyds went to Northern Ireland in the plantation of protestant people into Ireland. I believe they originated in Ayrshire. My mother's people of the Doak clan also were in Northern Ireland (Roscommon). This is all oral tradition that has been handed down by my family. My paternal granny was a Campbell and it may have been that other than her brother they stayed in Scotland. Those appear to have been difficult times in Northern Ireland that's why the Boyds returned to the Clydebank looking for work in the then flourishing shipyards. My father could see that coming to an end so left to find work in Australia. The family has flourished there & in New Zealand.
I’d love to know the pattern for Chris’ sweater/jumper! Of course it was very interesting to hear his report, but as a knitter, that was what caught my eye! Well, truth be told it was the second thing that I noticed about him, but I’d love to know about the pattern 😉
Chris called the Viking house a "longhouse" and I had seen similar structures during my trip to Dublin, another Viking settlement. I grew up in Huronia, a part of southern Ontario Canada, and I remember being in a "longhouse" as it is a structure used by the local Hurons and other Iroquois First Nations. However, it was built entirely of timbers, as they would have been "up to their arm pits" in trees.
Viking age scandinavian long-houses and halls were all timber structures... the type of long-houses as the one in this video, pops up when wood is scarse
The Iroquois longhouses were my only understanding of the term for many years, too, and it's always so weird to see it applied to Viking stuff now that I do! I'm actually Czech so I have no first hand experience with either version. :-)
@@wiseguysoutdoors2954 Thanks for the clarification, it did kind of itch me but I could not lay my finger on why (it's been years upon years since I studied that particular history). Now I know why. :D
@@wiseguysoutdoors2954 Culturally and linguistically the Huron, Erie, Tuscarora and Cherokee are Iroquoian but not members of the Iroquois Confederacy. After the American Revolution, the Tuscarora joined the Iroquois Confederacy on the Grand River Reserve. The Huron and Erie ended up in Oklahoma with the Cherokee.
Thank you for another brilliant, enlightening video from a region worth discovering. But holy cow - a three-camera shoot, multi-channel audio - the production values are off the chart! You three have done a heckuva job.
having a shared heritage for a lot of cultures of the North Sea i'm surprised the Shetlands aren't more of a tourist hotspot? I mean i know the weather isn't perfect but damn it looks beautiful!
Our transportation to shetland isn't the best, this might have something to do with it, but I agree the weather isn't the most inviting, but okay if you're tough;)
@@magnushutchison4920 tourism has boomed, all the hotels are full in the summer and tour buses are in big demand. Since covid Shetland has become the place to visit, and tons of wildlife and birdwatchers are drawn here too. Up helly aa in Lerwick is also booming with tourists and some of the jarl squad even goes to the USA for a festival. But I also don't think shetland deserves to be ruined by high tourism too, look at how the isle of Skye struggles each summer (I lived there for two summers and it's insane)
Thanks again, Im watching your latest before my first cuppa. The fall season has started at the higher altitudes here in Colorado and the chill is working its way down hill. Your good nature is a welcoming start to the day. Thanks for all your you do.
I was in Orkney in August '22 and it was very hot. ORKNEY??!! I loved this video. THANK YOU. My motorbike rally was in Sandwick in Orkney......though I took ages to find it as it was a parish/area rather than a specific place! These Three Words wusnae invented for the norse folk!
This one was very interesting for me. My Dad's side of the family is from Scotland (Name is McAllister, maybe some day we'll all agree on how to spell it). My Mom's side is Swedish. It would be great to be able to go the Shetland Islands and see them. Hopefully the native Norwegian Scots won't mind to much if an American Swedish Scot Tourist shows up.
I can’t help but notice the Highlanders rugby jersey at 8:40 - apropos for a Scotsman to wear, bravo! I live in NZ, although my ancestors on my mom’s side all came from the Shetlands. Very cool video, makes me really want to visit sometime.
Thanks. Me and my wife would like to spend a few days on Shetland next summer. Are you aware of organised tourist packages. We are townies(Paisley) in our 70s. I watched to Vlog with Chris and our level of knowledge will be several levels below his so my guess is we are looking for a less in depth level. Any help appreciated Alex McNair
Huge thanks Alex. I don't know about tourist packages. I tend to organise things pretty specifically for what I do. I wonder if there'll be anything on @promoteshetland
Another great video Bruce, went to school in Haraldswick when family lived on Unst,at Burrafirth. could see the building from yr first longhouse site,but now its a community centre. Haraldswick did hold its own ' up helly aa' back in the day was a massive community knees up. Keep up the good work.
Enjoying your content, Bruce. Recently discovered your channel. I'm an Englishman, but had family living in Shetland for the last couple of decades, so visited a few times and took an immediate interest on my first visit in the Shetland Bus, which I know you've covered. My last visit was very much a flying visit. In 2017, I was the first to ride an electric motorcycle from Land's End to John O'Groats and when I told my Shetland-based brother of my plan, his reply was, "Oh, you're giving up at John O'Groats, are you?" I took the bait, so took the opportunity to visit him and family, ride up to Skaw beach at the top of Unst (to properly get to the true most northerly public road in the UK) and took the opportunity to visit Orkney too. I repeated the journey back in June this year on a newer electric motorbike (video on my channel), with rapid charging capability, and a fellow EV advocate and biker, but we didn't get chance to spend longer than the day there, before getting the Northlink back to Aberdeen. We certainly passed the boat and long house you visited here on our way up to Skaw beach though. Sadly, my brother and his wife have relocated to Italy, and their daughters work in mainland Scotland, so I don't have as strong a reason to make the journey quite that far north now, but I still have a nephew in Shetland at least, so look forward to heading back again some time for another longer visit. Lovely place. We nearly moved there ourselves back in the late 2000s, but then 2008 happened, so we stayed where we are. Keep up the great work! I can live with the English digs, because, you know, that's all part of our confused islands' rich tapestry, and you are, after all, 44% English too. 😉😀
Aye Bruce...thank you so much for the wondereful presentation. the rich history of our ancestors is alive in all of us if only we look and reach out to our past! Bravo Mate!
I’m enjoying this channel. Always wanted to visit Scotland Even as a child. DNA test was 20% UK 10% Scottish and my child 15% Scandinavian. Both these men are passionate about history
You've got great posts holding up the walls in there. If there's no trees, where did those beams come from? Did they use up the trees and just not plant back?
@@KurtFrederiksen Well... that is a fascinating bit of history. Thank you. However, I imagine that organizers of the Largs Viking Festival might find that a bit of a mouthful and tricky to fit on the posters. I think the point is that this battle largely marked the end of Norwegian (Viking or otherwise) sojourns into Scotland. They were repelled by Scots including those with Viking origins, E.G. The Hunters. Interesting stuff.
@@KurtFrederiksen Firstly, lie is a very strong word. It implies intentional deception. Secondly, can I please get this straight? Are you suggesting the Battle of Largs is a 'fictional win' in a 'fictional battle?'
@@KurtFrederiksen Sorry Kurt... Who is they? Whose homepage? Are you talking about the festival? OMG, It was a joke. I'm vaguely aware there is a Largs Viking Festival, marking the battle. That is why I stated it might be difficult to put your views on the poster. It's called irony. Look it up! Who said 'cast out?' I think I said that...quote, "this battle largely marked the end of Norwegian (Viking or otherwise) sojourns into Scotland" which apparently, you agree with. You just said the same thing... And you DID just imply that the battle was fictional. That is pretty low. I think the Battle of Largs is a really interesting battle in Scottish history and would love Bruce to cover it. Maybe your discussion points would be interesting content. Maybe not.
@@KurtFrederiksen 🤣🤣🤣 Thanks Kurt. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but this is a channel about Scottish history. I am interested in Scottish battles. It's been lovely conversing with you and I admire your love of historical accuracy. I don't think you know what irony means. I wish you well. Have you considered taking up yoga? Apparently, it's very calming.
@@KurtFrederiksen "the battle weren't against the vikings nor that the battle weren't a win for the Scots." Wasn't or was not. The use of weren't is incorrect. Also, it is not vikings... it is Vikings. If you are going to troll, please at least troll with even basic adherence to grammar. Thank you. 😆
On my mothers side we have a strong link to Shetland! It was the promise of work on the Forth Road Bridge that dragged them Leith. Very good video, love ya work!
Same here, my granny had a Shetland maw and an Orkney faither. Leith start then South Queensferry for the Forth Brig. Glesga train and we're still here. Sadly nobody has been to Shetland. Wherrs that bucket? ❤
Govan in Glasgow has the magnificent Hog Back Stones. Now displayed inside Govan Old Parish Church the stones are modelled on hooses which were dug up in the kirkyard over the years. Govan even predated the cathedral. Also on display is the sarcophacus of the Pictish king Constantine. Check for which days the church is open.
Also... the Isle of Lewis... where the language is Scottish Gaelic... however... the place names are Norse... even In our own language today we use many many Norse words... thanks Bruce
It is a fantastic site I’ve been there many times my mum is from Shetland my dad from the east coast of Scotland I live in Shetland as a child I was in last in Shetland this may sadly at my uncles funeral in Sandness it is an amazing place to go so much history well done great great video 🏴🏴🏴
My flatmate in 2nd year at Edinburgh Uni many years ago was from Orkney and did not identify as Scottish. She had literal white blonde hair that she wore long down to her waist, like something out of a painting, and it did not take a geneticist to know her ancestry (though she'd happily tell you about the Vikings if asked).
In the end it's the language you speak. Those Scots claiming to have more of an affiliation with Scandinavian groups don't speak any of those languages l guess. We can all trace our DNA back to northern Europeans. Angles Saxons Normans were in the end the same Germanic type as Scandinavians.
@@andrewccochrane8052 I'm not sure what you're doing showing up at this late date, but, yeah, of course she had blue eyes. Unless you're very hard of reading comprehension she was a textbook stereotypical Scandinavian, except she was from Orkney. Run along now, asshole.
@@johnmurray2995 disgusting response from a first class idiot anthrepologists says otherwise had blue eyes the colour of the eys change the further south you go and skin complexion get txt book on it sir you will find one in lancaster uni libriary
One one my favourite places to camp is Tentsmuir forest. Named so cos the vikings set their tents up on they muirs. Brilliant episode Tesm. I enjoyed this. Not buying the driftwood theory though. Haha
I agree with you about the driftwood. Chris talked about the evidence in the archaeological record for everything else but didn’t mention any for the driftwood theory. Also Bruce had to ask him several times about the wood before he came up with that.
@@vickibamman8333 I'm a Shetlander and I've rarely seen such a poor presentation of Shetland's Norse history. I also noticed Bruce had to ask him 2-3 times about the wood and the driftwood story was rubbish. Yes, there might've been some which would have been put to good use but on the whole wood was imported from Norway along wth the other trade. There's historical records showing that the small traditional boats were made in flat pack style in Bergen then assembled here in Shetland.
Just to let you know an interesting thing about the influence of the Nordic languages in Scotland and to cast some doubt on the origins of the name of the famous river Clyde. I lived in Denmark for a few years in the 90s. Whilst there I availed myself of the great opportunities to learn Danish. Being a Scot I was surprised to learn that many every day words in Danish are also used in Scots: Bairn, Lang for long, Stoorsooker for vacuum cleaner sook for suck and the list goes on. Where I really was surprised was the word Clyde if pronounced by a Dane who thought it was a Danish word would automatically pronounce it Clootha which as you can hear sounds very similar to the old name for the Clyde as Clutha. Is Clutha really Gaelic or does it come with the Vikings. Either way it’s interesting…don’t you think?
I’m so excited to find your channel. All of the history is so fascinating to learn. I teach art history in the States, and my father’s family has been here since the early 1600’s but goes back to England and Scotland, so the Vikings on both sides as far as we can trace. He did track down a connection to three different clans, that crazy red headed blue eyed bugger. Apparently since we are descended from Thomas Dudley there are 16 ways to get to William of Normandy.
Iv been to shetland many times, stayed in Lerwick for a few month's...beautiful place but i missed home 😢...i don't miss the ferry crossing that's for sure lol 😂 uphelia is very popular festival ❤
Bruce, I hope your watching Norse Magic a and beliefs. I just watched his story on Scotland. It was interesting and respectful. I still think that if the two of you would maybe get together on a video or two showing the same stories from both the Scottish and Norce point of view. I believe this would add depth, and maybe make it possible to figure out things we would otherwise not be able to. If it didn't work out. Then at least you will learn something.
A'reyt Bruce. I thought you were coming back to Doncaster. Only joking, but there is much in common with Yorkshire. I really enjoyed this video, as always. Especially since by coincidence Hilbert, from History with Hilbert channel, did Vikings in Normandy and said he was studying Vikings and the period you called Norse times. His video on York suggested these island dwellers could have been trading in Jorvik. They certainly settled all across the North Atlantic fishing grounds. There are remains like that building in Newfoundland. Yorkshire fishing boats still look a lot like the boat in the video and fish eating flourished in medieval England. I always thought that the knowledge was not lost of where the fish were, but you do not go telling folk where you get your revenue. I wonder if Scotland also had increased fishing and if there is evidence from the bones like you talked about as to where the fish were being caught?
I'm a direct descent of Somerled, so I know for certain that am Celtic and Viking. My Italian friend in Wyoming told me that his wife was from South Dakota, the home of Norwegians and other fur bearing mammals, lol. I resemble that remark!!
Hi, Chris said the suffix ...wick means Bay. I have always been led to believe that it meant Farm or hamlet as manyh inland place names use this suffix such as Alnwick, Warwick, Hawick etc, Is it different in Northern Scotland?
I don't know if I have commented on this video in the past, I know I have watched it before. My father's Scottish ancestry as far back as I can trace it begins in Shetland. He did a DNA ancestry test that surprised us with an overwhelming Norwegian percentage. Fascinated to learn more.
great vid Bruce, as always. My ancestors wer Ross', McCleods, Mckenzies, Campbells and Mays. Most of our Scottish ancestry, turned out to be Nordic. They were booted out, and resettled in Ulster, and then migrated to Canada, as part of The Hudson Bay company. settling in Ontario, and the present US state of Michigan. we were able to trace our Ross Clan history back to eric the Red. We also have a significant amount of 1st nations and Black Canadian, ancestry also. My Campbell ancestors, were part of the Abolishionists during slavery, and helped numerous freed slaves resettkle in Southwestern Ontario. the actual Uncle toms cabin, is a Canadian Historical site, as one of the final stops on The Underground Railway, on my Great Great great grandfather and Grandmothers Property; William and Alba Campbell-Ross. Cheers from SpoCanada.(Spokane,Washington).
Just learned today that wer daughter is 73% Scottish, 7% Scandinavian, 6% welsh, 3%Northern English/Northern Europe, 12% African(spread across 8 countries including the Western Bantu). Shetland has jumped up our bucket list, along with a lot of other countries. I have always said that the Caribbean is the world in microcosm, and it really is. even those Viking raids in Ireland added to the mix....genealogy tests have change my understanding of our family and it;s history, profoundly. Keep the fabulous productions coming
Is Cooper an anglo saxon/germanic name ? My great grandmas family is from low land Scotland with cooper surname. My dads family is german ( continental saxon )with English ( saxon ) in the mix.
Fantastic place . I was stationed at Saxa in the 90's , just up the road from Haroldswick. Had a work colleague that stayed in one of the cottages at this bay. Walked the beachroad a few times too
I found you through your collaboration with Max Miller and I gotta say I'm loving the content. Your delivery is on point and you make a very likeable and interesting host
I live in Denmark and one of my ancestors is Scottish. He was born in Dysart in 1471 and settled with a Danish wife on the island of Bornholm. So it worked both ways :-)
Where did they get the wood X 3 eventually we got the answer It was from drift wood I'm sure they brought made to measure wood and logs to store in the bay every visit from the home land?!
So many of the early Norse Viking settlers in Newfoundland Canada were probably Shetlanders who were actually hybridized Norse-Picts, this mixed race breed who even back then had their own unique identity & culture, a rough amalgamation of both (Norse & Picts!). And if such a mixed breed group did exist at that exact time & joined the flow from western Norway & Iceland to the New World back in the late 900s then those powerful Norse-Pictish admixtures undoubtedly possessed the fierce restlessness & sense of adventure of their Norse forebears & the famed battle ferocity of their native Pictish ancestors, thus making quite the fearsome & formidable tribe of quasi Viking seafarers, the roughest & toughest of the bunch!
I read that at a point in history Scot’s were the tallest race now we the shortest Europeans if I’m not mistaken but I dispute that as my son & my sisters are both over 6” with jet black thick curly hair , high chiseled cheekbones fair skin & blue eyes. Striking look wise .
More from our trip to Shetland ua-cam.com/video/z_tsq8D2Pj4/v-deo.html
Bruce, have you had a chance to read a book called "The Farfarers" by Farley Mowat? Gives a really good look into the Native Europeans(yeah, they are a thing) who were chased across from what we now call Scotland all the way to Newfoundland by the Vikings. Mowat actually kicked off the Viking research craze with his first book on them "WestViking" he challenges a lot of "Viking knowledge" that's still used today. Good read and can be found for like 6 bucks American on bargain book sites.
Top-notch video. Would be interesting to know how the Isle of Man and northern Wirral compare in Norse place-name density, and whether the climate back then was more benign. On Man too, 'wick' is used to denote bays, such as Perwick and Fleshwick; 'wick' as port - such as Lundenwic which became the London street Aldwych - would seem a natural association.
And isn't 'Viking' more something people did occasionally than a type of people - like raiding neighbours' cattle, but at sea? Hence the islanders turning the usual assumption on its head by 'viking' to Norway.
Black balls, you are
A Norwegian friend said to me "Ever wonder why those high keeps are there?"
"No", said I.
"That's so you girls had time to put on your makeup and get down to the strand"
"Really! What makes you fellers so hot?"
"Well we were the only men in Europe who Bathed!"
He had me there.
Once a week. Saturday is called lørdag in norwegian, comes from the older "laugardag" which means bathing day
Wednesday=Onsdag=Odins day
Thursday=Torsdag=Thors day
Friday=Fredag=Frey(Frøya)s day
Oh seriously bloke? What difference does it make to have a bath but not wash your clothes?
And up on the hill above the ‘beach house’ were abandoned crofts. Over 1200 years between them, but very little to separate them. The Vikings knew a thing or two.
Incredible! I really enjoyed this lesson, what a wonderful choice for this fine Saturday morn. I've always been fascinated by the Viking era. Thanks again Bruce my friend and good morning from America.
You're very welcome!
My Mother’s Grandmother came from Sanday, Orkney. Her Grandfather was from Edinburgh. They immigrated to the US in 1889. Some day I’d like to see the Orkney’s. My daughter took me to Scotland in 2016. It was fabulous!
Hi my ancestors are from the Orkney Islands. My great grandfather immigrated from Ramsay to Kirkwall, then as a master stone Mason to Canada post WW1. Ancestors testing shows the Norweigian genes in those of us with the red hair or blonde hair. This confused some till I helped them understand that the Norwegian vikings wintered in the Orkney Islands both on trips to Canada, and when coming to raid the UK. So they mated with the Orkney women.
Where do you live now?
🙂
My dad was born in Glasgow. Dad is blonde hair and blue eyes. My sisters and I are exactly like dad. He is part of a enormous Clan from the Highlands. I was raised listening to Scottish songs,stories and many stories about his clan. We even had kilts of our clan. I visited Glasgow 2 summers ago. I understood the cab drivers. They had dads Scottish accent. Went to see loch ness monster. Traffic was slow and impossible..I found out from a few locals, that they didn't have clans. They knew no one who did.I was disappointed. No one knew what a first footer was! Nye parties,a blonde couldn't be first one to your home (party), very bad.guess it had to do with nordics. But dads Scotland is not today's! 😢😢
My maternal side of the family is from Orkney as well as Edinburgh and my Paternal side is from Oxford and Yorkshire, two different settlements of the Vikings, my family have lived in Australia since the 1890s though when I did a DNA test to discover family, quite a few were from Sweden, NE England, Scotland and quite a few from the US.
Loving these shows, very professionally presented. They could easily be on TV. The presenter's enthusiasm is infectious!
Your enthusiasm knows no bounds, you were like a wean in a sweetie shop, keep up the great work
I was, wasn't I
@@ScotlandHistoryTours very contagious in a good way....
Fascinating. Many thanks for this, Bruce. I have observed the similarity of the Shetland place names with those in Norway and the Faroes, e.g. Sandvik, Leirvik, våg (the same as Voe) and so on. One can see the continuities between Shetland and the other Norse lands so clearly. I love it!
Bruce, ANOTHER excellent video. You do such a good job bringing history to life!
I’m a Texan. My grandad was a Buchanan. My DNA says UK 60% and 20% Scandinavian. I have red hair, blue eyes and an angular face. What grandad use to call a Viking face lol.
Pre modern Norse dna from burials shows various coloured eyes and hair, no blonds, reflecting the fact that that the Viking traders travelled as far east as Istanbul, then Constantinople, there were Normans, (northmen) in Scicily, erc. So a well mixed heritage.
Really starting to love this channel. I'm born in Ayrshire, both parents are Scottish. As a Scot, I had more pride in what Scotland had contributed to society: Great engineers, modernity philosophy, medicine etc
Then lived in US. They're obsessed with where they came from. Never had that in Scotland. If you're poor (most were) Nobody travelled. You know where you came from! But as I've gotten more interested, you see the family names in the area. My father is from Dundonald, many Frasers, Kilmarnock has Boyd. Loads. Enjoying seeing you put everything together.
My mum used to go to Ayrshire for holidays. You ever pass through Greenock?
We're cuzins from lock Glenn Garry
My parents migrated to Australia when I was 2 years old, I now live in lovely New Zealand. My parents made certain I knew where I came from. My gf ather and his father were from Greenock. My mother's people were from Port Glasgow My great Grandad Robert Boyd came to Greenock from Killyman, Tyrone, Northern Ireland as did his wife Margaret Hill. The Boyds went to Northern Ireland in the plantation of protestant people into Ireland. I believe they originated in Ayrshire. My mother's people of the Doak clan also were in Northern Ireland (Roscommon). This is all oral tradition that has been handed down by my family. My paternal granny was a Campbell and it may have been that other than her brother they stayed in Scotland. Those appear to have been difficult times in Northern Ireland that's why the Boyds returned to the Clydebank looking for work in the then flourishing shipyards. My father could see that coming to an end so left to find work in Australia. The family has flourished there & in New Zealand.
I’d love to know the pattern for Chris’ sweater/jumper! Of course it was very interesting to hear his report, but as a knitter, that was what caught my eye! Well, truth be told it was the second thing that I noticed about him, but I’d love to know about the pattern 😉
Chris called the Viking house a "longhouse" and I had seen similar structures during my trip to Dublin, another Viking settlement.
I grew up in Huronia, a part of southern Ontario Canada, and I remember being in a "longhouse" as it is a structure used by the local Hurons and other Iroquois First Nations. However, it was built entirely of timbers, as they would have been "up to their arm pits" in trees.
Viking age scandinavian long-houses and halls were all timber structures... the type of long-houses as the one in this video, pops up when wood is scarse
The Iroquois longhouses were my only understanding of the term for many years, too, and it's always so weird to see it applied to Viking stuff now that I do! I'm actually Czech so I have no first hand experience with either version. :-)
Sorry, but Hurons were NOT Iroquois. They were our sworn enemies. I am Seneca.
@@wiseguysoutdoors2954 Thanks for the clarification, it did kind of itch me but I could not lay my finger on why (it's been years upon years since I studied that particular history). Now I know why. :D
@@wiseguysoutdoors2954 Culturally and linguistically the Huron, Erie, Tuscarora and Cherokee are Iroquoian but not members of the Iroquois Confederacy. After the American Revolution, the Tuscarora joined the Iroquois Confederacy on the Grand River Reserve. The Huron and Erie ended up in Oklahoma with the Cherokee.
Thank you for another brilliant, enlightening video from a region worth discovering. But holy cow - a three-camera shoot, multi-channel audio - the production values are off the chart! You three have done a heckuva job.
Big thanks to Matt Ward
having a shared heritage for a lot of cultures of the North Sea i'm surprised the Shetlands aren't more of a tourist hotspot? I mean i know the weather isn't perfect but damn it looks beautiful!
Our transportation to shetland isn't the best, this might have something to do with it, but I agree the weather isn't the most inviting, but okay if you're tough;)
@@magnushutchison4920 tourism has boomed, all the hotels are full in the summer and tour buses are in big demand. Since covid Shetland has become the place to visit, and tons of wildlife and birdwatchers are drawn here too. Up helly aa in Lerwick is also booming with tourists and some of the jarl squad even goes to the USA for a festival. But I also don't think shetland deserves to be ruined by high tourism too, look at how the isle of Skye struggles each summer (I lived there for two summers and it's insane)
Thanks again, Im watching your latest before my first cuppa. The fall season has started at the higher altitudes here in Colorado and the chill is working its way down hill. Your good nature is a welcoming start to the day. Thanks for all your you do.
Ahh, Shetland. How mesmerizing, this video, this ship and this subject. So interesting. Beautiful beach too!
I was in Orkney in August '22 and it was very hot. ORKNEY??!! I loved this video. THANK YOU. My motorbike rally was in Sandwick in Orkney......though I took ages to find it as it was a parish/area rather than a specific place! These Three Words wusnae invented for the norse folk!
This one was very interesting for me. My Dad's side of the family is from Scotland (Name is McAllister, maybe some day we'll all agree on how to spell it). My Mom's side is Swedish. It would be great to be able to go the Shetland Islands and see them. Hopefully the native Norwegian Scots won't mind to much if an American Swedish Scot Tourist shows up.
They’ll be delighted to help you spend your money🤣🤣🤣
I can’t help but notice the Highlanders rugby jersey at 8:40 - apropos for a Scotsman to wear, bravo! I live in NZ, although my ancestors on my mom’s side all came from the Shetlands. Very cool video, makes me really want to visit sometime.
Surely Orkney Bruce?
Thats where the Norse made their base in Northern Scotland.
The Orkneyinga saga is a challenging, but informative read.
Thanks. Me and my wife would like to spend a few days on Shetland next summer. Are you aware of organised tourist packages. We are townies(Paisley) in our 70s. I watched to Vlog with Chris and our level of knowledge will be several levels below his so my guess is we are looking for a less in depth level. Any help appreciated
Alex McNair
Huge thanks Alex. I don't know about tourist packages. I tend to organise things pretty specifically for what I do. I wonder if there'll be anything on @promoteshetland
just saw the trailer for The Lost King. Congrats on being involved with the film!
Thanks
Another great video Bruce, went to school in Haraldswick when family lived on Unst,at Burrafirth. could see the building from yr first longhouse site,but now its a community centre.
Haraldswick did hold its own ' up helly aa' back in the day was a massive community knees up.
Keep up the good work.
Norwick Up Helly Aa is still going!
Skol
I am a descendant of Scottish Vikings, myself. Thanks for the great information. Cheers!
Our pleasure!
Knowing one’s history I’s Al walls heefulmmi
Snap. Skol
It's nice to see you having fun.
That's for showing us this. So cool
I wondered where that boat went to. Lay ő the pier in lerwick for years. Used to be lots of trees in Shetland. Thus the peats
Love the videos,just got it in Australia look forward to your brilliant info on our great land
Please keep it up
More to come!
Enjoying your content, Bruce. Recently discovered your channel.
I'm an Englishman, but had family living in Shetland for the last couple of decades, so visited a few times and took an immediate interest on my first visit in the Shetland Bus, which I know you've covered.
My last visit was very much a flying visit. In 2017, I was the first to ride an electric motorcycle from Land's End to John O'Groats and when I told my Shetland-based brother of my plan, his reply was, "Oh, you're giving up at John O'Groats, are you?" I took the bait, so took the opportunity to visit him and family, ride up to Skaw beach at the top of Unst (to properly get to the true most northerly public road in the UK) and took the opportunity to visit Orkney too.
I repeated the journey back in June this year on a newer electric motorbike (video on my channel), with rapid charging capability, and a fellow EV advocate and biker, but we didn't get chance to spend longer than the day there, before getting the Northlink back to Aberdeen. We certainly passed the boat and long house you visited here on our way up to Skaw beach though.
Sadly, my brother and his wife have relocated to Italy, and their daughters work in mainland Scotland, so I don't have as strong a reason to make the journey quite that far north now, but I still have a nephew in Shetland at least, so look forward to heading back again some time for another longer visit.
Lovely place. We nearly moved there ourselves back in the late 2000s, but then 2008 happened, so we stayed where we are.
Keep up the great work! I can live with the English digs, because, you know, that's all part of our confused islands' rich tapestry, and you are, after all, 44% English too. 😉😀
...but you do have to go to Italy
@@ScotlandHistoryTours Ahh, shucks! Them's the breaks! I'll try to be brave. 👍😁
Aye Bruce...thank you so much for the wondereful presentation. the rich history of our ancestors is alive in all of us if only we look and reach out to our past! Bravo Mate!
wow that was really fascinating, I still don't understand how they navigated so well for the time.
My great-grandparents were from Orkney.
Boat repairs made of driftwood?Would the timbers be sound,really?
I’m enjoying this channel. Always wanted to visit Scotland Even as a child. DNA test was 20% UK 10% Scottish and my child 15% Scandinavian.
Both these men are passionate about history
So 30% UK, right?🤔🤔
You've got great posts holding up the walls in there. If there's no trees, where did those beams come from? Did they use up the trees and just not plant back?
Fenwick is in my family name, was told it was the name of Skandinavia settlements
A great video, excellent! Cheers
Many thanks!
Love this vlog. It’s so interesting and new knowledge for me and so neat to learn. Thank you, Bruce👍
My pleasure!
Brilliant.
Could you do a video about the Battle of Largs? Scottish vs Vikings.
@@KurtFrederiksen Well... that is a fascinating bit of history. Thank you.
However, I imagine that organizers of the Largs Viking Festival might find that a bit of a mouthful and tricky to fit on the posters.
I think the point is that this battle largely marked the end of Norwegian (Viking or otherwise) sojourns into Scotland. They were repelled by Scots including those with Viking origins, E.G. The Hunters. Interesting stuff.
@@KurtFrederiksen Firstly, lie is a very strong word. It implies intentional deception. Secondly, can I please get this straight? Are you suggesting the Battle of Largs is a 'fictional win' in a 'fictional battle?'
@@KurtFrederiksen Sorry Kurt... Who is they? Whose homepage? Are you talking about the festival? OMG, It was a joke. I'm vaguely aware there is a Largs Viking Festival, marking the battle. That is why I stated it might be difficult to put your views on the poster. It's called irony. Look it up!
Who said 'cast out?' I think I said that...quote, "this battle largely marked the end of Norwegian (Viking or otherwise) sojourns into Scotland" which apparently, you agree with. You just said the same thing...
And you DID just imply that the battle was fictional. That is pretty low.
I think the Battle of Largs is a really interesting battle in Scottish history and would love Bruce to cover it. Maybe your discussion points would be interesting content. Maybe not.
@@KurtFrederiksen 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks Kurt. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but this is a channel about Scottish history. I am interested in Scottish battles.
It's been lovely conversing with you and I admire your love of historical accuracy.
I don't think you know what irony means.
I wish you well.
Have you considered taking up yoga? Apparently, it's very calming.
@@KurtFrederiksen "the battle weren't against the vikings nor that the battle weren't a win for the Scots." Wasn't or was not. The use of weren't is incorrect. Also, it is not vikings... it is Vikings.
If you are going to troll, please at least troll with even basic adherence to grammar.
Thank you. 😆
On my mothers side we have a strong link to Shetland!
It was the promise of work on the Forth Road Bridge that dragged them Leith.
Very good video, love ya work!
Same here, my granny had a Shetland maw and an Orkney faither. Leith start then South Queensferry for the Forth Brig.
Glesga train and we're still here. Sadly nobody has been to Shetland. Wherrs that bucket? ❤
Govan in Glasgow has the magnificent Hog Back Stones. Now displayed inside Govan Old Parish Church the stones are modelled on hooses which were dug up in the kirkyard over the years. Govan even predated the cathedral.
Also on display is the sarcophacus of the Pictish king Constantine.
Check for which days the church is open.
Also... the Isle of Lewis... where the language is Scottish Gaelic... however... the place names are Norse... even In our own language today we use many many Norse words... thanks Bruce
It is a fantastic site I’ve been there many times my mum is from Shetland my dad from the east coast of Scotland I live in Shetland as a child I was in last in Shetland this may sadly at my uncles funeral in Sandness it is an amazing place to go so much history well done great great video 🏴🏴🏴
13:03 What an amazing shot this is; real art.
Matt will be pleased to hear that
Awesome video. Wonderful filming and editing. The quality of the presentation was top notch. Makes Bruce’s presentation even more engaging.
I wish I knew if That bone pile on Orkney is a
Bogle bone pile? For some reason I suspect it may be.
My flatmate in 2nd year at Edinburgh Uni many years ago was from Orkney and did not identify as Scottish. She had literal white blonde hair that she wore long down to her waist, like something out of a painting, and it did not take a geneticist to know her ancestry (though she'd happily tell you about the Vikings if asked).
In the end it's the language you speak. Those Scots claiming to have more of an affiliation with Scandinavian groups don't speak any of those languages l guess. We can all trace our DNA back to northern Europeans. Angles Saxons Normans were in the end the same Germanic type as Scandinavians.
if she didnt have bright blue eyes then she is not viking
@@andrewccochrane8052 I'm not sure what you're doing showing up at this late date, but, yeah, of course she had blue eyes. Unless you're very hard of reading comprehension she was a textbook stereotypical Scandinavian, except she was from Orkney. Run along now, asshole.
thats near enough vikings ruled the baltics yeah
@@johnmurray2995 disgusting response from a first class idiot anthrepologists says otherwise had blue eyes the colour of the eys change the further south you go and skin complexion get txt book on it sir you will find one in lancaster uni libriary
I so love your videos.
Great video. When ya give us bagpipes???
Once I get through the mountain of stuff on my plate and do the research
@@ScotlandHistoryTours love ya mate. Keep us proud.
Thanks
Huge thanks
Plenty of Vikings in Minnesota USA. They fight well as a team.
Babook tsk
One one my favourite places to camp is Tentsmuir forest. Named so cos the vikings set their tents up on they muirs. Brilliant episode Tesm. I enjoyed this.
Not buying the driftwood theory though. Haha
*team
I agree with you about the driftwood. Chris talked about the evidence in the archaeological record for everything else but didn’t mention any for the driftwood theory. Also Bruce had to ask him several times about the wood before he came up with that.
There was mention of different types of boats. Seems like they could have easily sailed over with timber.
@@vickibamman8333 I'm a Shetlander and I've rarely seen such a poor presentation of Shetland's Norse history.
I also noticed Bruce had to ask him 2-3 times about the wood and the driftwood story was rubbish.
Yes, there might've been some which would have been put to good use but on the whole wood was imported from Norway along wth the other trade.
There's historical records showing that the small traditional boats were made in flat pack style in Bergen then assembled here in Shetland.
@@Trollberg60north Is there a possibility that there were trees, but they are now gone? That is, trees before people arrived, cut down by people.
Another great video Bruce! 👍😊
Thanks again!
Excellent video Bruce really a masterclass of history lessons ✌️☘️
Glad you enjoyed it
Just to let you know an interesting thing about the influence of the Nordic languages in Scotland and to cast some doubt on the origins of the name of the famous river Clyde. I lived in Denmark for a few years in the 90s. Whilst there I availed myself of the great opportunities to learn Danish. Being a Scot I was surprised to learn that many every day words in Danish are also used in Scots: Bairn, Lang for long, Stoorsooker for vacuum cleaner sook for suck and the list goes on. Where I really was surprised was the word Clyde if pronounced by a Dane who thought it was a Danish word would automatically pronounce it Clootha which as you can hear sounds very similar to the old name for the Clyde as Clutha. Is Clutha really Gaelic or does it come with the Vikings. Either way it’s interesting…don’t you think?
beautiful beach
Born in shetland and moved to glasgow as a child but definitely a very proud part of my history and up helly aa is amazing to see
Another very interesting video!
Loved Chris' jumpers.
A video on Shetland and Fair Isle knitting perhaps?
Is your shirt the new merch? Seriously cool!!!
Yeah man
That grass topped structure was the very first Viking Little Chef.
😂
In they’re case the BIG chef !
The Viking settlements and wars are fascinating love your videos mate
I’m so excited to find your channel. All of the history is so fascinating to learn. I teach art history in the States, and my father’s family has been here since the early 1600’s but goes back to England and Scotland, so the Vikings on both sides as far as we can trace. He did track down a connection to three different clans, that crazy red headed blue eyed bugger. Apparently since we are descended from Thomas Dudley there are 16 ways to get to William of Normandy.
Brilliant
Stunning place stunning video….thank you Chris and Bruce 👌🏻
Love all your videos Bruce! Reading a lot of Arthur history recently. Heard you say you might do a video about the prince one day?
I need to get round to it
Love your passion for the history you give us. The man and his boat love his excitement and knowledge brilliant.
Glad you enjoyed it
@@ScotlandHistoryTours your a legend.
Iv been to shetland many times, stayed in Lerwick for a few month's...beautiful place but i missed home 😢...i don't miss the ferry crossing that's for sure lol 😂 uphelia is very popular festival ❤
Great episode. It is very informative, I would love to see it
Another great video planning my next trip definitely will get up there
Please do!
Bruce, I hope your watching Norse Magic a and beliefs. I just watched his story on Scotland. It was interesting and respectful.
I still think that if the two of you would maybe get together on a video or two showing the same stories from both the Scottish and Norce point of view.
I believe this would add depth, and maybe make it possible to figure out things we would otherwise not be able to.
If it didn't work out. Then at least you will learn something.
A'reyt Bruce. I thought you were coming back to Doncaster. Only joking, but there is much in common with Yorkshire.
I really enjoyed this video, as always. Especially since by coincidence Hilbert, from History with Hilbert channel, did Vikings in Normandy and said he was studying Vikings and the period you called Norse times. His video on York suggested these island dwellers could have been trading in Jorvik. They certainly settled all across the North Atlantic fishing grounds. There are remains like that building in Newfoundland. Yorkshire fishing boats still look a lot like the boat in the video and fish eating flourished in medieval England. I always thought that the knowledge was not lost of where the fish were, but you do not go telling folk where you get your revenue. I wonder if Scotland also had increased fishing and if there is evidence from the bones like you talked about as to where the fish were being caught?
History with Hilbert is a great channel as well n very informative too!
Recently discovered your channel and loving it!
Cheers from Antwerp, Belgium
Another truly amazing vlog, thanks Bruce.
I'm a direct descent of Somerled, so I know for certain that am Celtic and Viking. My Italian friend in Wyoming told me that his wife was from South Dakota, the home of Norwegians and other fur bearing mammals, lol. I resemble that remark!!
Hi, Chris said the suffix ...wick means Bay. I have always been led to believe that it meant Farm or hamlet as manyh inland place names use this suffix such as Alnwick, Warwick, Hawick etc, Is it different in Northern Scotland?
That was like drawing blood out a stone trying to get him to tell you were they got the wood to maintain the boats hahaha
I know there's a secret wood pile in Shetland somewhere
@@ScotlandHistoryTours what fuel did they use for heating and for smelting?
I don't know if I have commented on this video in the past, I know I have watched it before. My father's Scottish ancestry as far back as I can trace it begins in Shetland. He did a DNA ancestry test that surprised us with an overwhelming Norwegian percentage. Fascinated to learn more.
great vid Bruce, as always. My ancestors wer Ross', McCleods, Mckenzies, Campbells and Mays. Most of our Scottish ancestry, turned out to be Nordic. They were booted out, and resettled in Ulster, and then migrated to Canada, as part of The Hudson Bay company. settling in Ontario, and the present US state of Michigan. we were able to trace our Ross Clan history back to eric the Red. We also have a significant amount of 1st nations and Black Canadian, ancestry also. My Campbell ancestors, were part of the Abolishionists during slavery, and helped numerous freed slaves resettkle in Southwestern Ontario. the actual Uncle toms cabin, is a Canadian Historical site, as one of the final stops on The Underground Railway, on my Great Great great grandfather and Grandmothers Property; William and Alba Campbell-Ross. Cheers from SpoCanada.(Spokane,Washington).
Just learned today that wer daughter is 73% Scottish, 7% Scandinavian, 6% welsh, 3%Northern English/Northern Europe, 12% African(spread across 8 countries including the Western Bantu). Shetland has jumped up our bucket list, along with a lot of other countries.
I have always said that the Caribbean is the world in microcosm, and it really is.
even those Viking raids in Ireland added to the mix....genealogy tests have change my understanding of our family and it;s history, profoundly.
Keep the fabulous productions coming
Are you in the Caribbean?
you should rename her hienz 57 only joking
For a moment I thought you'd be at the Viking Festival in Largs...
Better video that’s anything I’ve seen mainstream recently. Awesome Bruce. Very interesting.
Thanks
Where does the wood come from!? Valiant effort to get a straight answer from dude lol
Hi mate. You forgot to enlight on the topic on WW2 and the relations to Norway 🇳🇴.
Sorry, I don’t understand
Really interesting! Thanks Bruce 🏴💜
Is Cooper an anglo saxon/germanic name ? My great grandmas family is from low land Scotland with cooper surname. My dads family is german ( continental saxon )with English ( saxon ) in the mix.
Fantastic place . I was stationed at Saxa in the 90's , just up the road from Haroldswick. Had a work colleague that stayed in one of the cottages at this bay. Walked the beachroad a few times too
Viking houses almost looks similar to the ones at L'Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site on the Northern Tip of the Island of Newfoundland.
Not surprising
I found you through your collaboration with Max Miller and I gotta say I'm loving the content. Your delivery is on point and you make a very likeable and interesting host
Ah thanks Finn
Can you help me with a recommendation for a website that’s best for finding out about your ancestors/history/genetics through DNA please
Where did the pattern for his fantastic sweater come from?
I live in Denmark and one of my ancestors is Scottish. He was born in Dysart in 1471 and settled with a Danish wife on the island of Bornholm. So it worked both ways :-)
True
Where did they get the wood X 3 eventually we got the answer It was from drift wood I'm sure they brought made to measure wood and logs to store in the bay every visit from the home land?!
The video was great but Who where the first people of Shetland
No trees is a valid observation!
I have a very Scandinavian name and my granddads side is all from Shetland
I would like to see something on the African acestory of Scotland n Ireland if you know anything it'd be appreciated.
These videos are so well done! Keep it
Glad you like them!
So many of the early Norse Viking settlers in Newfoundland Canada were probably Shetlanders who were actually hybridized Norse-Picts, this mixed race breed who even back then had their own unique identity & culture, a rough amalgamation of both (Norse & Picts!). And if such a mixed breed group did exist at that exact time & joined the flow from western Norway & Iceland to the New World back in the late 900s then those powerful Norse-Pictish admixtures undoubtedly possessed the fierce restlessness & sense of adventure of their Norse forebears & the famed battle ferocity of their native Pictish ancestors, thus making quite the fearsome & formidable tribe of quasi Viking seafarers, the roughest & toughest of the bunch!
I read that at a point in history Scot’s were the tallest race now we the shortest Europeans if I’m not mistaken but I dispute that as my son & my sisters are both over 6” with jet black thick curly hair , high chiseled cheekbones fair skin & blue eyes. Striking look wise .
But were the Picts living along side them, or were they wiped out or did they mix ?
They seemed to disappear very quickly
Watching this made me wonder how an episode together with Tony Robinson would be like, a smash hit it would be would be.
😜
Dingwall is a Viking settlement well over 1000 years old