Obituary: Elma Johnson - Shetlander who ensured the folklore and tradition of her home flourished

ELMA Johnson was a woman infused with an incomparable seam of Shetland folklore and history.

A storyteller and cultural guide, whose clients included members of the Rockefeller family, her renown spread far beyond her native isles.

She relished sharing her knowledge with all generations of locals and visitors alike, built up her own four-star tourism venture, Island Trails, provided local transport through her minibus hire business and helped to found drama, choir and dance groups on the island that was always her home.

Born and brought up at Vatster, on the Shetland mainland, she was steeped in local culture and, echoing her experience of country life, many of her stories were recalled from her childhood.

After an education at Bigton School she began working at Spiggie Hotel, which dates back to the 1870s and where it is thought her interest in history was kindled. She later ran the Scousburgh Post Office but became a full-time wife and mother when her son Ewen was born in 1965, the year after she married husband Laurie.

Apart from a period working at the local airport café, she remained at home looking after her family until the late 1970s when she embarked on a driving business, buying her first vehicle – a red minibus – and later winning a school bus contract.

After the school run she would collect younger children from Bigton, Scousburgh and Levenwick and take them to playgroup. A couple of evenings a week she would also drive youngsters to the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade.

It was around this time that her interest in CB radio was sparked. She would collect the youngsters, set off to whichever spot would give her the best radio reception – usually Mossy Hill – and, using the call sign Red Machine, she and the children would enjoy hours of fun chatting to other CB enthusiasts.

She also instigated Saturday morning shopping runs for older members of the community when, aided by one of the village youngsters, she would take her passengers to the local shops for their provisions.

A number of children accompanied her in the venture, which not only helped the elderly but also bridged a gap between the generations. She forged lasting friendships with many of the youngsters and, wherever they ended up in the world, a visit to Elma was always a priority when they returned home.

Her kindness in helping others was just another reflection of her interest in the life of the community and resulted in her making several significant cultural contributions to the island.

She and her husband had been accomplished dancers in their younger days and, when she learned that many of the locals could not do Shetland dances, the couple started a regular Saturday dance class where participants learned the more modern dances as well as the quadrilles and lancers.

She also reintroduced the old autumnal Hairst concerts in which any local with a talent, no matter their age, was encouraged to perform.

As a result, Mrs Johnson and her concert party were invited to perform in various places throughout Shetland. This was followed by the formation of the Brenna Players drama group – which won several awards at the Shetland County Drama Festival – and the setting up of a successful choir.

Her last business enterprise was Island Trails, a tourism venture that saw her create and run storytelling tours of Lerwick and historical sessions at various venues in the island capital as well as in the Old Croft House museum at Dunrossness.

Her guided walks included tours to candlelit cellars where she recalled gruesome lore of murder, smuggling and press gangs.

Many of these sessions culminated in her atmospheric In Aboot Da Night evenings at her own home where she would dish up some of the finest Shetland fare along with her entertaining stories, while many of her musical friends provided a backdrop of fiddle, song and dance.

Mrs Johnston, who worked diligently to build up her knowledge, reading and travelling all over Shetland to add more stories to her repertoire, appeared at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival in Edinburgh.

She also performed at the Shetland Fire Festival Up Helly Aa, at weddings and on board the Smyril Line’s ship Norrona as well as appearing with John Shuttleworth in the film It’s Nice Up North.

Her tours attracted visitors from all over the world, earning her several tourism accolades, including reaching the finals of the Scottish Thistle Awards.

Like everything else she tackled, she put her heart and soul into it, persuading others to do the same. And, invariably, once met she was never forgotten.

Predeceased by her husband, she is survived by their son Ewen, daughter-in-law Mae and grandchildren Lisa and Andy. ALISON SHAW