"I've learnt", Shirley Nicholson writes, "to listen to island talk" and this book proves the truth of that, with its close observation of the birds, animals and people of Fair Isle, and the note it strikes, again and again, of wonder at her good fortune in finding herself on this northern island. But Nicholson's poems are more than tributes to what that place's winds blow in her direction. Nicholson is also both an observer and practitioner of what she calls "island skills" and these poems nip at their lines, cast off images, and steadily stitch together memorable patterns which are possessed by a singing weather of their own.
- John McAuliffe
It's not often that someone can come in on a small island community and understand the rhythm of life in all its cyclical glory, and portray it with such detailed beauty and understanding, but that's exactly what Shirley has achieved with her heartfelt portrayal of Fair Isle, its people, wildlife, seasons and landscape. She weaves the past into the present in a tantalising journey through the island, drawing the reader in, and painting a beautiful technicolour portrait in words and verse of island life.
- Laurie Goodlad