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John Ruskin observed that the bow of a wooden boat is ‘the pinnacle of Man's achievement’. He appreciated that some of our most beautiful and effective creations are not designed as such but evolve to fulfil their task in their place, according to the history and affections of the people who use them. Some are scarcely noticed - because they are not buildings but boats, built to do jobs. In this series of The Essay five writers, each personally involved with their craft, circumnavigate the British Isles in five traditional boats – without leaving home.

From the 10th century to the 15th, Shetland was part of the Kingdom of Norway. Norse heritage still influences the islands’ language, music and boats. Whillies, yoals and sixerns are all akin to Viking longboats - light, fast and coming to a point at both ends. Shetlander Brian Wishart writes about these boats, how they shaped lives in Shetland for centuries - and still do today in Shetlanders' love of racing small sailing versions of them.

Wishart tells, too, of his experiences sailing the Vaila Mae, a copy of a 19th century sixern, learning the forgotten skills of handling this larger boat, which Shetlanders sailed or rowed far out to sea, to fish for saithe, ling and tusk at the 'Far Haaf', the distant water at edge of the continental shelf.

Presenter: Brian Wishart
Producer: Julian May