Shetland Carers co-ordinate the Scheme locally, with support from Shared Care Scotland, who now support carer centres in 30 local authority areas to run Respitality Schemes.

Respitality (respite + hospitality) is a way the hospitality and leisure sector can help their local communities by reognising and appreciating the contribution of unpaid carers, by donating short breaks to carers at quieter times of the year. This enables a carer, plus a companion where possible, to have a break away from their caring responsibilities to recharge their batteries and have a little time for themselves.

Shetland Arts Development Agency kindly donate tickets on a regular basis, for upcoming concerts and performances.

Wendy commented "We have been donating a little while now. As an organisation we want to help folk in need, when we can. We are always open, as an organisation, to have that conversation. If we can help, we will. It’s great to support the local community and give people the opportunity to do things they might not otherwise be able to do.”

Carers can apply to the Respitality Scheme and they can be awarded a break, depending on which donated breaks are available at that time.

The Respitality Scheme currently have 2 donated tickets available for the following performance, for either Monday 28th April 2025 at 7.30pm or Tuesday 29th April 2025 at 2.30pm. To apply, email carers@shetland.org or telephone 01595 743923.

National Theatre of Scotland
THROUGH THE SHORTBREAD TIN - The story of the greatest literary hoax of all time.

1760 - Scottish poet James Macpherson sets the world ablaze with stories of the third-century Scottish bard, Ossian. This tartan-trimmed tale of Highland history spreads far and wide, capturing the imagination of thousands- but is it built on deceit?

2025 - Scottish poet Martin O'Connor reads Macpherson's epic and questions his own relationship with Scottish culture. The sporrans, the stags, the shortbread - do these 'gift-shop' images of Scotland hold us back or bring us forward? What does it mean to be authentic, and is the truth sometimes better told in a lie?

Through The Shortbread Tin is a brand-new show, performed in Scots with Gaelic songs, which explores Scottish culture, myths, history and identity.

Join Martin and Macpherson on an oral odyssey spanning centuries of Scottish history, exploring the myths we tell each other and the stories we tell ourselves. Because It takes a lot ae imagination tae tell a true story.

Written and performed by Martin O'Connor. Directed by Lu Kemp.

A National Theatre of Scotland Production.

For ages 14+