The Coastal Place-names of Papa Stour

The Coastal Place-names of Papa StourGeorge P. S Peterson spent his formative years during the 1930s and 40s in his ancestral home of Papa Stour, a small island situated off the west coast of Shetland. Being immersed in island life, as one of over 100 residents at that time, he developed what was to become a lifelong passion for preserving the islands rich heritage. In the late 1980s George produced a series of articles for Shetland Life and was encouraged to collate these into a book

George P.S Peterson spent his formative years during the 1930s and 40s in his ancestral home of Papa Stour, a small island situated off the west coast of Shetland. Being immersed in island life, as one of over 100 residents at that time, he developed what was to become a lifelong passion for preserving the island’s rich heritage. In the late 1980s George produced a series of articles for Shetland Life and was encouraged to collate these into a book which became the original Coastal Place-names of Papa Stour.

Through his engaging style, the author takes readers on a clockwise tour of the island’s coast, pausing to explore possible origins of the place-names and interlacing fragments of long-forgotten social history spanning hundreds of years. This edition is illustrated with new colour photographs throughout and a hand-drawn map.

George P.S. Peterson’s original hope was that “this little book will perpetuate the Papa coastal place-
names and that the stories connected with some will be found interesting”. With that in mind, it is
presented for the enjoyment of a new audience and as a lasting tribute to the author.