WORKSHOP: LEARN TO SING THE HILDINA BALLAD
The story was told in Hoy until recent times, of the abduction of a king’s daughter to the island, and her father’s pursuit that led to the Everlasting Battle fought each day amidst its glens and valley – for 143 years, said one account. A version of the story was sung in Foula, and the Birsay minister Rev. George Low wrote down the verses on a visit in 1774 – phonetically and without the melody.
Low’s text is immensely valuable, as it is the largest surviving example of poetry or song in the old Shetland Norn language. So last year Shetland musician Barry Nisbet from Cullivoe in Yell carried out a project, with the support of Creative Scotland – to reconstruct the original ballad and translate it into Shaetlan, the modern-day language of the islands. This opened the way to reconstruct the ring-dance that would have accompanied it – and last year the Hildina Ballad was sung and danced in Shetland for the first time for more than two centuries. Today Barry wants to do the same in Orkney – and seeks your assistance!
In association with Orkney Heritage Society
Numbers limited to 30. Booking essential. Ticket £10
“It da Shetland Folk Festival 2026, May 1st, ower 60 fok gaidered ta laern aboot an dance da Hildina. Wi da chorus learned, da steps learned, da hale group danced aa 60 verses onda sang ati Shaetlan.
A ‘hard core’ o 28 remained an danced da hale ballad aa ower ageen, dis time ida oreeginal Norn – see da video below, filmed bi Anthony Olsson.
Dis represents da first time it a Shetland ballad has been danced till in Shetland for ower 200 year, possibly since da ballad wis first collected à Foula ida year 1774.”
