Lerwick, Shetland — 2 April 2026 · The Story of Finn Moray

A Knock on the Door in Lerwick

Eilidh Brown on spreading the word in Shetland, a furniture shop called Muddy Bay, and the parcel that arrived on the overnight ferry

Eilidh Brown on the Shetland coast

Earlier this month, I found myself in Shetland as part of a small film production team alongside Calum Youngson. We were there to capture the Lisa Manson and Richard Gordon interview, gather footage of the island, and do something that sounds straightforward but isn't: spread the word about Finn Moray.

Simple enough in theory. In reality, door-to-door introductions are a different game entirely. It's one thing believing in something. It's another knocking on a stranger's door and trying to express that belief in a few short moments.

That said, Shetland made it easier.

Across Lerwick, people were open, curious, and generous with their time. We shared our pitch, introduced the project, and handed out copies of AON: THE CALL. Many of the conversations were warm and encouraging. But one stood out in a way I didn't expect.

"We went to Shetland to capture stories. What I didn't expect was how many stories would find us along the way."
— Eilidh BrownMarketing Coordinator, Finn Moray

The Store That Stopped Us

On our last day, we came across a furniture shop that we simply had to walk into.

Muddy Bay coasters and Stuart's handwritten note. Image taken by Edyta Morawska

Muddy Bay.

The name caught our attention immediately. It's also the name of Finn Moray's Shetland song. It felt too coincidental to ignore.

Inside, we met Stuart Leask, the owner. What followed wasn't a pitch. It was a conversation.

Stuart was an absolute pleasure to speak with. Open, grounded, and full of stories. We talked about the history of his shop, his connections to Scotland, and how the name "Muddy Bay" came to be. At one point, we even joked that our track could become the store's new anthem.

Before we left, we handed him a few CDs. A small gesture, really. A way of saying thank you for his time and openness.

He wished us well on our journey back to Aberdeen, and that was that. Or so we thought.

A Call Over the Tannoy

Fast forward to later that evening.

Calum and I had boarded the overnight ferry back to Aberdeen. I'd queued up in the cafeteria, focused on getting a warm meal before what I expected to be a rocky crossing.

Then I heard my name over the tannoy.

Instant panic. Your mind goes to strange places in moments like that. Had something happened to the car? Had I dropped something important? Had we messed something up?

I made my way to reception, half bracing for bad news.

Instead, I was handed a parcel.

On it, a simple note: "From Stuart, thanks for the CDs!"

Inside were Muddy Bay branded coasters, sent as a thank you.

The Kindness That Stays With You

It was such a small act, but it meant a great deal.

Not because of the item itself, but because of what it represented. We'd walked into Stuart's shop as strangers, shared a bit of what we're building, and left thinking we'd had a nice conversation. For him to go out of his way, find us, and send something to the ferry was another layer of warmth that defined our time in Shetland.

It reminded me of something that sits right at the heart of Finn Moray. This isn't just about music. It's about people.

Why It Matters

The Jarl Squad at South Mainland Up Helly Aa, Shetland

Finn Moray exists to celebrate people and places across Scotland, and crucially, to give something back. That idea isn't just a nice sentiment. It's built into the project itself, with half of all profits directed back into communities across the country.

What I've come to realise is that the giving isn't one way. Everywhere we go, we receive something back. Whether it's time, stories, kindness, or moments like this one. That exchange is what makes it real.

It aligns with what Finn Moray is trying to build. Not just songs, but a living connection between places and people. A shared sense of pride, identity, and belonging.

A Personal Takeaway

For me, people like Stuart are a huge motivator. They remind you that behind every place name, every song, every conversation, there are real people who care. People who are open, generous, and willing to connect.

In a world where so much feels transactional, those moments stand out. They stay with you.