• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary

Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary

fuel that adventure

  • Home
  • The Food
    • All Manner of Sweet Things
      • Cake
      • Chocolate
      • Cookies
      • Ice Cream
      • Squares
      • Everything Else
    • Veggie
      • Salad
      • Vegetarian
      • Vegan
    • Carbohydrates
      • Bread
      • Pasta
      • Potato
      • Gluten Free
      • Rice
      • Pastry
    • Soup
    • Hoof & Feather
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Lamb
      • Pork
    • Fin & Shell
    • Breakfast
  • The Adventures
    • Shetland
      • Hike Shetland
    • Belgium
    • England
    • France
    • Italy
    • Latvia
    • Norway
    • Scotland
    • Spain
    • The Caribbean
    • USA
  • About Me
  • As Seen
  • PR & Disclosure
  • Contact Me
Shetland Food and Cooking by Marian Armitage

Shetland Food & Cooking by Marian Armitage

Published on November 15, 2014 by Elizabeth Atia

Celebrating Shetland food.

Shetland Food and Cooking by Marian Armitage

Cookbooks are a dime a dozen these days. As a food blogger I get sent cookbook after cookbook for review. Many get a cursory look through, a quick write up and then get banished to the bookshelf to rarely see the light of day again. Some I may make a recipe or two before giving the book away, and others become firm favourites, referred to time and time again.

Every now and then a cookbook comes along that’s completely different, the kind of cook book you want to read, cover to cover, like a novel, comfortably in bed with a cup of steaming hot chocolate as the winter gales blast outside.

Marian Armitage

MARIAN’S HISTORY

Author Marian Armitage is a native Shetlander Ā educated at the Anderson Educational Institute in Lerwick, Shetland’s main town. Encouraged by her mother, a traditional Lerwick housewife, and by her domestic science teacher, she knew by the age of 12 that she wanted to be a cookery teacher.

Summer holidays were spent working with various food producers in the town, from Willie Robertson’s grocer shop to the Queen’s Hotel kitchen to kippering herrings with the Herring Industry Board. She studied at the Edinburgh College of Domestic Science, learning both the course content and skills to teach it at the same time. After finishing her studies she taught cookery first in Norwich and then to inner city sixth formers in London, a teaching career spanning 35 years.

PURPOSE OF THE BOOK

In 2012 Marian saw a gap in the market. Other than the 1925 book Cookery for Northern Wives by Margaret B. Stout, she realised there were no contemporary books describing Shetland food and cooking. Although Cookery for Northern Wives gives a fabulous historical snapshot into the eating habits of post-war Shetlanders, many of the old recipes do not translate well into modern kitchens with modern tastes.

Marian wanted to create something highlighting the wealth of quality Shetland produce and producers available and to encourage people, Shetlanders and visitors alike, to use more of this produce in easily reproducible recipes, so she set to work researching and writing Shetland Food and Cooking.

Shetland Food and Cooking by Marian Armitage

THE BOOK ITSELF

In this book, Marian combines her Shetland heritage with the colours and flavours she’s experienced through her life’s journey as a cookery teacher, where her students came from a diverse background.

In this book you will find traditional Shetland recipes such as bannocks, sassermeat clatch, rhubarb chutney, taatie soup with reestit mutton and a whole host of seafood recipes, but you will also find more contemporary recipes such as Armenian lamb, bobotie, ceviche and a beremeal flat bread recipe, made with a heritage barley grown here in Shetland since the time of the Vikings.

The book is conveniently divided into five sections, fish, meat, fruit & vegetables, dairy and home baking. Each section includes a historical background, musings on the current production situation, stories on the people and organisations involved in Shetland food production and promotion.

Written in the first person Marian’s recipes are accompanied by light-hearted personal anecdotes and full colour photographs, most taken by herself in her own kitchen. She wants to encourage a new generation of home cooks to experiment with the wealth of produce available to them.

Marian is passionate about Shetland and Shetland food. She believes the food is the best you will find anywhere.

“This book is about Shetlanders, the food they grow, rear, catch and sell; the traditions and historical influences as well as newer trends.”

Retailing at £20 this soft back book is printed and published by The Shetland Times. You can buy a copy through the Shetland Times Bookshop.

Marian Armitage

GIVEAWAY

I was at the official book launch last night (which you will be able to read all about shortly over on A Taste of Shetland) and I bought myself a copy of Marian’s new book. I also bought one of my lovely readers a copy andĀ Marian autographed it!

HOW TO ENTER

For your chance to winĀ an autographed copy of Shetland Food & Cooking by Marian ArmitageĀ enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Come back and tweet about the giveaway every day for more chances to win!

TERMS & CONDITIONS

This giveaway is open to worldwideĀ entries. Entrants must be age 18 or over. The winner will need to respond within 7 daysĀ of being contacted; failure to do this may result in another winner being selected.

The prize is offered and provided by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary. The prize isĀ an autographed copy of Shetland Food & Cooking by Marian ArmitageĀ . There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.

If you need some help using Rafflecopter, here’s aĀ quick clipĀ to show you how. Rafflecopter will pick the winner at random from all the entries received. I will be verifying entries and any automated entries orĀ those who have claimed they have made the mandatory blog post comment and really haven’t will be disqualified. It’s mandatory!

Closing date is midnight on Monday 8 December 2014 (GMT) Ā and the winner will be announced that day.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget to visit my Giveaways page for some other fab prizes!

If you want to be kept up to date on my recipes, occasional craft tutorials, adventure stories and giveaways then please subscribe to my weekly newsletter; it gets sent out every Monday morning if there is new content. Your email address won’t be passed on to anyone, you will never be spammed and you are free to unsubscribe at any time, no questions asked. Make sure you confirm your subscription or you won’t receive the newsletter – if it hasn’t arrived check your junk mail folder.

[wysija_form id=”1″]

Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary bought this book with her own money. This is not a paid post and all thoughts and opinions expressed are our own.

Category: Book, Giveaways, Past Giveaways, ReviewTag: Book Review, Marian Armitage, Shetland Food & Cooking

About Elizabeth Atia

Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home.

Previous Post: « FoodCycle #BreadlineChallenge
Next Post: Banana Nut Protein Smoothie Banana Nut Protein Smoothie »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. kattie mories

    October 24, 2015 at 11:03 am

    Its sure interesting, Love of peoples review and positive feedback, It Looks different and interesting. Thanks

    Reply
  2. Rachel Craig

    January 8, 2015 at 10:06 pm

    Seems like a great book. Good that it is relevant, up to date, local :- Yet historical, retaining the heritage of the area. Wonderful Scottish produce.

    Reply
  3. sam fernley

    December 8, 2014 at 12:34 am

    This really looks such a beautiful book.

    Reply
  4. Natalie Crossan

    December 8, 2014 at 12:21 am

    lovely book xxx

    Reply
  5. Amy Beckett

    December 7, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    Yummy Yummy food in my tummy

    Reply
  6. Mark Palmer

    December 7, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    Great prize

    Reply
  7. Julie Edwards

    December 7, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    What a lovely giveaway xx

    Reply
  8. simon hardy

    December 7, 2014 at 6:20 pm

    I love trying new things so this would be great!

    Reply
  9. julie munro

    December 7, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    sounds like a fantastic book šŸ™‚

    Reply
  10. Paul Meulen

    December 7, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    Looks like a great book with things i’d like to try

    Reply
  11. Lisa Houston

    December 7, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    Great prize giveaway

    Reply
  12. Clare S

    December 7, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Looks a lovely book!

    Reply
  13. Kim Styles

    December 7, 2014 at 3:25 am

    I am intrigued by Shetland Cooking ,I think it would introduce me to lots of dishes I have never heard of . very exciting!

    Reply
  14. Keith Hunt

    December 7, 2014 at 2:34 am

    Looks good for a person that loves home cooed food.

    Reply
  15. Ellie M

    December 7, 2014 at 12:01 am

    I did a Highlands and Islands road trip this summer and have discovered so many wonderful foodie treats! Would love to win this.

    Reply
  16. Louise Lumsden

    December 6, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    sounds like my kind of cookbook I absolutely love a cook book you can curl up and enjoy reading as well as loving to cook from the recipes within it,those are the ones that get used most in this house

    Reply
  17. Angela Muir

    December 6, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    I would love this book

    Reply
  18. Stephen Little

    December 6, 2014 at 5:36 pm

    Lovely prize – fingers crossed!

    Reply
  19. Helen

    December 6, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    Sounds good can’t wait to read it.

    Reply
  20. NataŔa Mernik

    December 6, 2014 at 8:59 am

    Woaaah, lovely prize! It would be a great gift for my mom šŸ˜€ ā¤

    Reply
  21. Stefan Ingram

    December 5, 2014 at 11:44 pm

    I love dabbling in food and recipes from different countries and regions of the UK. I am very interested.

    Reply
  22. leanne weir

    December 5, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    Thank you for a lovely giveaway

    Reply
  23. David Allen

    December 5, 2014 at 10:40 am

    A lovely book – I have relatives on Shetland, such a beautifully bleak place! šŸ˜‰

    Reply
  24. EJ Dunn

    December 4, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    I adore cookbooks and this is so different from all the ones we get down here! Would love to own a copy.

    Reply
  25. Lene Ovenstone

    December 4, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    Great giveaway, thanks for the chance to win this šŸ™‚

    Reply
  26. PAUL STANLEY

    December 3, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    GREAT IDEA FOR A BOOK

    Reply
  27. Jacqueline Bates

    December 2, 2014 at 2:40 am

    I live in a rural town in Australia. My grandfather came from Fetlar and I am passionate about my Shetland heritage including being one of the eagle bairn šŸ™‚ I collect cookbooks and love sharing my baking with my family and friends. I have been on the hunt for Shetland recipes for years and would cherish a copy of this book.

    Reply
  28. Solange

    December 1, 2014 at 6:54 am

    This looks like an interesting book

    Reply
  29. Sheila Reeves

    November 29, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Love cookbooks that you can sit down and read and have a story behind the recipes – thanks for the opportunity to win

    Reply
  30. Michelle Banks

    November 29, 2014 at 11:52 am

    fab giveaway x

    Reply
  31. Elle Warwick

    November 29, 2014 at 12:15 am

    lovely prize šŸ™‚

    Reply
  32. Cat Rice

    November 27, 2014 at 11:53 am

    Sounds an interesting book

    Reply
  33. Monique

    November 25, 2014 at 8:49 am

    Your cookbook sounds interesting. These are recipes I would use. Great job.

    Reply
  34. Sarah JG

    November 24, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    Lovely giveway, thanks!

    Reply
  35. Sarah Davies

    November 24, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    It would be really interesting to see what is typical food in Shetland and to try it out.

    Reply
  36. Emily @amummytoo

    November 24, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Love the names of the traditional recipes! I feel comforted just reading about them šŸ™‚

    Reply
  37. Jennifer Toal

    November 23, 2014 at 11:00 am

    A lovely read

    Reply
  38. kim copley

    November 22, 2014 at 11:55 pm

    As an American i would love to have recipes to cook for my family when they visit from England. This would be a great cookbook to help me do that. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  39. Monica Gilbert

    November 22, 2014 at 11:19 pm

    It would be nice to learn more about the UK now that I’ve been naturalized.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      November 23, 2014 at 9:22 am

      Congratulations!

      Reply
  40. Claire Hull

    November 22, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    Great prize

    Reply
  41. Jessica Powell

    November 22, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    Love the sound of this, something a bit different!

    Reply
  42. aideen mcelhone

    November 22, 2014 at 7:06 pm

    Would make a fab gift for my.mum

    Reply
  43. Heather Haigh

    November 22, 2014 at 1:43 am

    I would love the book. In fact I want to come and live on Shetland. I think my Scottish Heritage is calling to me – that or my wildly romantic imagination. You do make everything sound so appealing though.

    Reply
  44. Kat Milligan

    November 21, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    Ooo wonderful. Well good luck folks.
    If I dont win it I think i will have to try and get hold of it another way šŸ˜€
    Nice cover design too

    Reply
  45. Corinne Peat

    November 20, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    Would love to win this to try some new recipes!

    Reply
  46. Judith Allen

    November 19, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    I bet my mum would like this, and my gran too.

    Reply
  47. clair downham

    November 19, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    i bet this is really different thankyou

    Reply
  48. felicity smith

    November 19, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    What a lovely idea for a book :):)

    Reply
  49. Christopher Packer

    November 19, 2014 at 3:14 am

    Great competition – fingers crossed

    Reply
  50. melanie stirling

    November 19, 2014 at 12:09 am

    This looks very interesting,thank you.

    Reply
  51. Sarah Benn

    November 18, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    Would love to try some recipes from this book

    Reply
  52. Tammy Tudor

    November 18, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    amazing šŸ™‚ Thank you

    Reply
  53. Judith R.

    November 18, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    Wishing everyone great food and cooking at Christmas!

    Reply
  54. S hudson

    November 18, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    I’m very interested to read this. Thank you for the chance to win it.

    Reply
  55. Torben

    November 18, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Lovely book and after we visitied shetland for the first time this year, it would be the perfect gift fpr christmas.

    Reply
  56. MichelleD

    November 18, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    Great competition, fingers crossed!

    Reply
  57. Eileen Sumner

    November 18, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    sounds a useful book

    Reply
  58. Lyla

    November 18, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    What a lovely book

    Reply
  59. Rick Carr

    November 17, 2014 at 11:17 pm

    Nice Giveaway

    Reply
  60. Christopher Millward

    November 17, 2014 at 11:14 pm

    Great prize – I’ve been to Shetland several times. would love to see what is in the book

    Reply
  61. Pam Francis Gregory

    November 17, 2014 at 10:43 pm

    Great giveaway – Thanks

    Reply
  62. Jackie Rushton

    November 17, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    Fab prize!

    Reply
  63. Sandra Lane

    November 17, 2014 at 10:07 pm

    I’ve been collecting cookbooks for many years and this would look good on my bookshelf.

    Reply
  64. richard hill

    November 17, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    There was a fisherman named Fisher
    who fished for some fish in a fissure.
    Till a fish with a grin,
    pulled the fisherman in.
    Now they’re fishing the fissure for Fisher.

    Reply
  65. Tracey Parker

    November 17, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    Would love to try some unique recipes from this book

    Reply
  66. Paul Scotland

    November 17, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    Great comp

    Reply
  67. SARAH HAWKINS

    November 17, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    Looks like a really interesting cookbook

    Reply
  68. laura stewart

    November 17, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    brilliant giveaway xx

    Reply
  69. Paula Barker

    November 17, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    It’s nice to see a different kind of cook book for a change

    Reply
  70. Garry

    November 17, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    Love fish can’t wait to read about some new ways of cooking and serving it.

    Reply
  71. heather tinkler

    November 17, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    Brilliant. It certainly looks interesting.

    Reply
  72. Claire D

    November 17, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    Great giveaway

    Reply
  73. Pauline Hill

    November 17, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    Lovely giveaway Many Thanks

    Reply
  74. Victoria Rogers

    November 17, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    Ooh lovely book!

    Reply
  75. iain maciver

    November 17, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    fandabidozy giveaway

    Reply
  76. maxine m partridge

    November 17, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    thanks for the giveaway

    Reply
  77. David Schofield

    November 17, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    This looks so interesting, Thanks to Promote Shetland for letting me know about it.

    Reply
  78. Julie Tift

    November 17, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    I appreciate any help that cooks and cookbooks can give me to help with providing a variety of different meals. Thanks for the chance to win this cookbook it would be a great addition to my collection.

    Reply
  79. Liam Bishop

    November 17, 2014 at 12:45 pm

    Love cookbooks. Great giveaway thanks.

    Reply
  80. Kristie

    November 16, 2014 at 11:36 pm

    This cookbook looks wonderful! Thanks for the chance to wi a copy!

    Reply
  81. Sarahann Tonner

    November 16, 2014 at 10:47 pm

    Fantastic giveaway!!

    Reply
  82. Jacqueline Meldrum

    November 16, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    What an interesting book. Adding your giveaway to The Food Blog Diary now.

    Reply
  83. Caroline H

    November 16, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    That looks like a lovely book. I really like cookery books that incorporate background and history. I’ve made a note of this one for gift ideas.

    Reply
  84. Jeanne Horak-Druiff

    November 16, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    Sounds like such an interesting book – I love the names of the dishes and am very impressed (and surprised!) to see South African bobotie included among the contemporary recipes!

    Reply
  85. Holly S

    November 16, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    What a lovely book. Thank you for the great giveaway!

    Reply
  86. hayley berry

    November 16, 2014 at 10:46 am

    looks great

    Reply
  87. Hassni

    November 16, 2014 at 10:40 am

    Looking forward to trying out the recipes in this refreshingly unusual book.

    Reply
  88. Vanda

    November 16, 2014 at 10:29 am

    Thank you for a lovely giveaway

    Reply
  89. Mrs Ann Bolton

    November 16, 2014 at 9:38 am

    A refreshing change from the usual cookbooks doing the rounds, would love a copy.

    Reply
  90. Claire Smith

    November 16, 2014 at 9:29 am

    A book my Scottish Gran would have loved

    Reply
  91. Lisa Evans

    November 16, 2014 at 9:20 am

    This seems like a wonderful cook book! May get this anyway if I don’t win!

    Reply
  92. Angela Fitzjohn

    November 16, 2014 at 7:30 am

    I would live to win this, I love trying out new recipes.

    Reply
  93. Jackie ONeill

    November 16, 2014 at 7:16 am

    This sounds like a great book, best wishes x

    Reply
  94. julie laing

    November 16, 2014 at 3:20 am

    Great giveaway

    Reply
  95. Karl Borowy

    November 16, 2014 at 12:20 am

    lovely and traditional

    Reply
  96. Alison M

    November 15, 2014 at 10:43 pm

    Visited the Shetlands about 10 years ago and stayed at The Busta House Hotel – had the best sorbet I’ve ever tasted…had it EVERY night I was there as it was made by the owner’s wife.

    Amazing…

    Reply
  97. laura banks

    November 15, 2014 at 10:27 pm

    what a lovely giveaway

    Reply
  98. Richard Randall

    November 15, 2014 at 10:25 pm

    Fingers crossed

    Reply
  99. frances hopkins

    November 15, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    Great prize!!

    Reply
  100. Ms Suan Watts

    November 15, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    Would love a Scottish cookery book

    Reply
  101. Alice Matthews

    November 15, 2014 at 9:51 pm

    It is lovely to know that Shetland’s cooking skills have inspired hundreds of English pupils.

    Reply
  102. Tracey Peach

    November 15, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    Lovely giveaway Thank You xxx

    Reply
  103. Beverley Marsh

    November 15, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    Recipes sound very interesting, would love to try them out.

    Reply
  104. Sue Bland

    November 15, 2014 at 9:27 pm

    I really enjoy recipe books that tell me more about the places, people and background behind the recipes. So much more interesting and engaging than a list of ingredients and a method. I would love this book.

    Reply
  105. kirsty l

    November 15, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    I love the idea of this cookbook would love to win!

    Reply
  106. sharon mead

    November 15, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    love cookbooks and this looks fab

    Reply
  107. Tracy Nixon

    November 15, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    What a great review thanks – looks a great book!

    Reply
  108. liz bennett

    November 15, 2014 at 9:01 pm

    would like to win this!

    Reply
  109. julie west

    November 15, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    Beautiful part of the country so im sure they will be some really tasty recipes

    Reply
  110. Choclette

    November 15, 2014 at 8:59 pm

    This sounds really interesting Elizabeth. I know very little about Shetland food and would be fascinated to learn more.

    Reply
  111. kim neville

    November 15, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    Thank you for a lovely giveaway

    Reply
  112. Holly

    November 15, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    ooh, I am really intrigued by this book, I am definitely going to have to look it up to buy myself for Christmas!

    Reply
  113. Deb|EastofEdenCooking

    November 15, 2014 at 3:20 pm

    I agree, so many cookbooks are redundant. I want something new, and a fresh approach to cooking. Shetland Food would be just that for this California native! A fabulous introduction to the work of Marian Armitage!

    Reply
  114. Stephanie

    November 15, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    What a lovely and different cook book. I’d love to try some traditional Shetland recipes x

    Reply
  115. Samantha Partridge

    November 15, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    To be honest I’m not much of a cook – everything I try to make usually turns out to be a disaster! – but I really like the idea of this book and I love tasting food from all over the world, so some of these recipes sound really lovely.xx

    Reply
  116. Christina A.

    November 15, 2014 at 11:53 am

    I’m intrigued! This would be something different for an American cook!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Daily Giveaways | giveawaysrus says:
    November 15, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    […] 07/12 Autographed Copy Of Shetland Food & Cooking […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Sidebar

About Elizabeth

Adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Loves bikes. Calls Shetland home. Read More…

Inspiration

“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”

Recent Posts

Image of a stainless steel camping bowl filled with chorizo chowder. There are a few slices of toasted focaccia on the side with gorgeous black grill lines.
Image of The Face of Neeans with its very steep cliffs.

Copyright © 2011–2022 Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary Ltd · Privacy Policy · All Rights Reserved · Website by Callia Web

Company Number: SC643807 · Registered Business Address: 42 Carden Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1UP