Da Böd
Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary
Da Böd, Hillswick, Shetland
The Wildlife Sanctuary is open most afternoons from June to September –
please ring before visiting on 01806 503348
Built in the 1600s, Da Böd is a quiet place to come, sit before the peat
fire and just be - relax, read a book and soak up the atmosphere.
Tea, coffee, biscuits available
No charge – donations to the sanctuary gratefully accepted
The Booth used to be the oldest pub in Shetland, but by the early ‘90s
it was ailing. Jan knew she had to do something different so in 1994 she
opened Shetland’s only vegetarian café, Da Böd Café. During the summer
months meals and snacks were served in return for donations to the
sanctuary.
At the time it raised a few eyebrows in a community where the
traditional diet was strictly meat and fish, and where seals and otters
were hunted in the not too distant past. Times have changed and now the
café is well supported by local folk and visitors. In fact in 2008 it
was voted one of the best cafes in Scotland!
The café used to open all week during the
summer, but it was taking up all of Jan’s time. She wanted to spend more
time working with the animals and improving the facilities so the café
now only opens at weekends from 11am to 5pm.
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The cafe takes you back in time giving you a feel of how Shetland
used to be.
recipes |
