The Papa Sword Dance is unique in Shetland, possibly of Norse origin and related to the long sword dance of northeast England. Sir Walter Scott vividly describes the dance in his famous novel, ‘The Pirate’. The Sword Dance was last performed in Papa Stour at the official opening of the partially recontructed Stofa by Mrs Torrill Selsvold Nyborg, Mayor of Hordaland, Norway, 20th August 2008.

 

The story of the prisoner of Papa Stour concerns the Honourable Edwin Lindsay, an officer in the Indian army. He was banished to Gardie House by his father Earl Balcarres who considered his son dishonoured after refusing to fight a duel. His plight was made known to a lady missionary who was visiting the island and in 1835 he was released.

 

The Maiden or Frau stack is a single perpendicular rock to the north east of Housa Voe on top of which can be seen a metre- high structure built of stone. The legend associated with this structure concerns a Norwegian maiden who was confined there by her father to keep her from an unsuitable suitor. However the young man, though poor was nonetheless brave and rescued his fair damsel. And so they eloped together and lived happily ever after.