The Christmas tree, an annual gift from Norway, arrives at Lerwick this week. From left: NorthLink customer service manager Jane Leask, SIC roads engineer Neil Robertson, Northwards depot manager Robbie Leslie, Living Lerwick chairwoman Cynthia Adamson and Living Lerwick vice-chairman Steve Mathieson. Photo: Dave Donaldson
The Christmas tree for Lerwick arrived off the boat yesterday and will be back in its familiar place this year – at the Market Cross.
The tree was placed on the Esplanade last year in a new departure in the Winter Festival, but a survey carried out after the festival revealed that the public wanted it back where it used to be when it was supplied by the council.
Christena Irvine of festival organisers Living Lerwick said: “The festival results were very clear – everyone preferred it where the SIC used to provide the tree – at the Market Cross.”
The Market Cross also has the advantage of having a receptacle for the tree built into the structure. And this year Lerwick Community Council has given funding for new lights for the tree.
Lerwick’s tree was one of three delivered free of charge by NorthLink and Northwards. They came from Norway – two were donated free as gifts for the Shetland Bus Friendship Society, and are destined for Scalloway and Whalsay – and the third was bought by Living Lerwick.
The tree will form the centrepiece of this year’s Winter Festival, which will start on 28th November, with Santa arriving by lifeboat at 3.30pm that day.