Jim Nicolson - Vet reflects on 36 years of looking after the isles’ pets and livestock Shetland Voices

FOR the latest instalment in our Shetland Voices podcasts Jane Moncrieff travels to the Westside to catch up with vet Jim Nicolson, who retired from practice at the end of May.

Born as the middle brother of three boys he grew up on a croft in Twatt. Schooled locally until he went to the Anderson High School in third year, he studied veterinary medicine at Edinburgh University. Here he also met Juliette, who later became his wife and business partner.

After working in Scotland for two years, the couple returned to Shetland, eventually starting their own veterinary practise in summer of 1985, whist also raising a young family.

Now after 38 years in the business of looking after people’s sheep and kye, dogs and cats - 36 of which were spent locally - Jim has decided the time is right to spend more time with his family and pursue his many interests.

Highly respected in the community he will be missed by his many clients and patients, but he says he is leaving the business in good shape and has no regrets.