Hoswick
Hoswick is a village in the south mainland of Shetland, to the West of Sandwick.
History
The "Hoswick Whale Case"
The residents of Hoswick are known for a legal case following the annual whale drive when, in 1888, they drove around 340 whales ashore. They then resisted the landowner, John Bruce Jnr of Sumburgh's claim for a third share of the profits which was customary under Udal Law (the catch was traditionally split three ways, one for the 'admiral', one for those who drove the whales ashore and one for the owner of the land on which the animals were beached)
The case was heard at the Court of Session in Edinburgh (Bruce v Smith) and in July 1889 Sheriff MacKenzie found in the Hoswick residents' favour. The court refused to recognise Bruce's claim, saying it wasn't ‘sufficiently inveterate, uniform, or uninterrupted’.
Bruce appealed the decision in 1890 but lost, and no further claims were made by Shetland landowners.[1][2][3]
Notable buildings
- Hoswick Visitor Centre - contains a cafe, gift shop, weaving exhibits, interpretative local history displays and a large collection of vintage radios. The building is a former Shetland Tweed weaving shed[4][5][6]
- Hoswick Woollen Mill - a working factory and shop which houses Laurance Odie Knitwear. The company was started by Laurence Odie in early 2004 following the closure of Laurence J. Smith Ltd which was based in the same premises.[7]
- Neilanell Design Studio - boutique and design studio owned by Hoswick resident and textile designer Neila Nell[8]
- Orca Country Inn (formerly the Barclay Arms Hotel)- a three star guest house[9][10]
Hoswick contains many examples of the traditional two-story, two or three-bay croft houses that are particularly associated with the district.[11]
References
- ^ http://www.udallaw.com/downloads/dissertation.pdf
- ^ http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/shetland/hoswickvisitorcentre/index.html
- ^ http://shetlopedia.com/Hoswick_Whale_Case
- ^ http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/shetland/hoswickvisitorcentre/index.html
- ^ http://visit.shetland.org/visitor-attractions
- ^ http://www.shetlandheritageassociation.com/members/south-mainland/hoswick-visitor-centre
- ^ http://www.andknitting.com/knitting_news/2006/week2/
- ^ http://www.nielanell.com
- ^ http://www.orcacountryinn.co.uk/
- ^ http://www.shetland-communities.org.uk/sco/hoswick.html
- ^ http://www.shetland.gov.uk/developmentplans/documents/ChangedSandwickCommunityStatement.pdf