A SPANIARD who found solace in Unst during a tough time in his life has released a song inspired by Shetland’s most northerly island. Arthur Whist visited Unst in 2014 and said it was a “truly a life changing experience” as he reconnected with nature – and at the same time, with himself. The musician sought to pay tribute to the island in the way he knew best – though song, and the track Unst is now available online.
The calming tune sees Whist provide emotional vocals and piano, with string sounds added on top too. “Unst is a peaceful jazz/cinematic song about reconnecting with nature and the important things in life in an increasingly chaotic and stressed society which seems to have lost its way,” he told Shetland News . The musician, from Valencia, said he was going through a tough personal time back in 2014.
“In an attempt to escape from my own harmful thoughts, fears and insecurities, I decided that I needed to get some fresh air and travel to the most remote place I could find in my map,” Whist said. “I always wanted to travel to Scotland, as I think it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, so when I spotted a distant archipelago between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea called the Shetland Islands, I instantly knew that was going to be my destination.” He explained that after a couple of days travelling he went as far north as he could and he ended up in Unst – “falling in love with the place” as soon as he set foot off the ferry.
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