Doctor eats only Shetland Food to test island’s self-sufficiency
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Dr. Alex Armitage, a consultant paediatrician and councillor in Shetland, Scotland, began a month-long experiment in September eating only food produced locally on the Shetland archipelago.
Armitage decided to undertake the challenge after reflecting on stories of his grandmother’s life in Shetland and wondering if the islands could sustain themselves if deliveries from the mainland were disrupted. He has been sourcing food through foraging, fishing, donations, and purchases from local shops, enjoying staples like fish, eggs, vegetables, and Shetland butter.
Armitage noted that while Shetland produces some foods abundantly, particularly potatoes, other carbohydrates are difficult to obtain locally. He also experienced caffeine withdrawal symptoms during the first three days of the challenge, but has since adjusted. This is the third year Armitage has completed this challenge during Shetland Food Month, using it as an opportunity to explore food security on the islands.
He expressed concern that increasingly severe weather could interrupt the Northlink ferry service from Aberdeen, potentially leaving Shetland cut off and with empty supermarket shelves, and believes his experiment tests the possibility of surviving on local resources alone.
