Tribute to Swan Trust Supporters

Josie Simpson and Magnie Sinclair both played important roles with the Trust, serving as Trustee and Skipper respectively.

All at the Swan Trust extend sympathy and best wishes to the families of both gentlemen.

Josie Simpson

Josie was a very successful fisherman, one of the pioneers of purse seining -the technique that replaced the drift nets that the Swan used for fishing herring. After he stopped fishing he had a second distinguished career as Chairman of the Shetland Fishermens Association and as the Political Leader of the Shetland Islands Council. Josie recognised that the modern fishing fleet that Shetland now has was built on the shoulders of many previous generations. As a young man he had fished on board several drift net boats, and he never forgot this priceless heritage. This was one of the many reasons that Josie became involved with the Swan, serving as a Trustee for many years. He saw the Swan as living reminder of the old drift net era that shaped so much of Shetlands history and recognised the value of passing on that legacy for future generations of Shetlanders

Magnie Sinclair

Magnie had an interesting career, working on fishing boats in Faroe, Scotland and the Middle East as well as back home in Shetland. Although very much engaged with the contemporary fishing industry, he was always interested in its rich history. Long after he retired he would set drift nets for herring from his small boat every summer. He saw how important the Swan was in keeping Shetland’s fishing heritage alive. He also recognised the value of teaching a new generation of Shetlanders how to sail a large fishing boat. He became a regular crew member on board the Swan and often skippered her on trips to Norway and Faroe.