Service the Shetland way!

I was recently in Shetland on business and was incredibly lucky with the weather as the photo above Illustrates. Previous trips in July and August were much less hospitable and many of the folk I spoke to said that I should come more often as a good luck charm of sorts and I certainly felt welcome.

This got me thinking about welcomes and us Irish are well known for our welcome, but the shine has gone off the Irish welcome while the Shetland folk have stuck to their principles. The welcome is not just the greeting you receive, its the actions that go with the words and I'm afraid that there are very few places left in the world that see visitors as something other than cash cows. Shetland is definitely different and I was a recent benefactor and I'd like to call out the businesses that focused on their customer rather than ringing the till.

NorthLink Ferries are first to be commended. I needed to change my booking at very short notice. No problem and no extra charges - wow I wasn't expecting that and especially as I couldn't run off to a competitor. The same happened on the way back so I know I wasn't just lucky, they do this for everyone. I will certainly be taking the NorthLink ferry again.

My hotel booking was the next item I needed to shift and given the late notice I fully expected to have to pay for my vacant room and then the extra night as that is what I have been conditioned to accept. I contacted the Grand Hotel in Lerwick to change my booking and readied for the sting. Instead I was told that was not a problem and they were looking forward to seeing me the following night. When I arrived I was asked about my journey and my stay was very pleasant. I should mention that the Full Scottish breakfast is meal that will keep you going all day!

The third and probably most surprising taste of Shetland Service came at the hire car company. I chose to go with a local company Bolts Car Hire. Firstly, I messed up my booking and the car was at the airport and not Lerwick, no problem we will get that switched over and a call was put into the airport office to make the correction on my behalf. A car was made ready in 2 minutes and I was on my way. My hire was for 24 hours, but my plans change and I needed the car for an extra morning. I made my way along to the office to arrange this and had my card in my hand. When I explained what I needed the lady at the counter, said that would be fine and she would see me in the afternoon and to be on my way.

Shetlanders tend to be understated, but in my book actions speak louder than words and fair play to them. I wish we could have more of this "what can if do for you" service and less of the "what can I do you for". I for one will be returning to Shetland and will seek out the services off all 3 companies again, but if we want to enact change we need to raise the issues and propose a solution so for me it has to be less fleecing and more Shetland Service please!