George P. S. Peterson has been a regular contributor to Shetland Life and The New Shetlander magazines for many years but this is the first time his writing has appeared in book format for over 16 years.

George P. S. Peterson was born in Lerwick but spent his formative years in Papa Stour following his family’s move there when he was two years old. He developed a love affair with the tiny island off the west coast of Shetland and steeped himself in island life – absorbing the old stories, place-names, fiddle tunes and customs.

George was taught at the island school by Mrs Elizabeth Drummond and then transferred to the Anderson Institute in Lerwick in 1946 to continue his education. This move proved to be significant in his writing career as it marked the end of his permanent residency in the island and from then on, longing to be back in Papa became a strong source of inspiration for his writing.

He left Shetland in 1951 to study at Aberdeen University and was kept up-to-date with goings on in the isle through regular letters from his mother. After graduating in 1955 he fulfilled his National Service obligations as an NCO in the Education Corps of the British Army and served in West Germany.

Following his discharge he returned to Shetland and initially taught in Bridge-end and Hamnavoe Primary Schools. After short spells teaching in Brae and Aith during the 1960s, he returned to Brae Primary in 1969. Having married Frances Doull from Muckle Roe in 1965, they settled in Brae and raised their four children, Ingrid, Martin, Amanda and Peter. George retired from teaching in 1989.

Auld Papa I’m Dine! is a diverse collection which brings together a wide range of George’s work – much of it written in Shetland dialect and previously unpublished. History, short stories, poetry, trowie tales and bedtime stories for children, all feature, and are complemented by the author’s own illustrations.