Devoted viewers of BBC's hit crime drama Shetland were abruptly pulled from the show's gripping narrative this week, but not by plot twists or character revelations. Instead, their suspension of disbelief was shattered by a glaring geographical blunder that left Scottish fans particularly exasperated.
The Mistake That Broke the Illusion
During a crucial scene in the latest episode, detectives were shown travelling from the remote Shetland Islands to the coastal town of Oban. However, the production team committed a cardinal sin of Scottish geography by displaying a road sign pointing toward Oban from what was supposed to be the Shetland Islands - an archipelago where such signage would be completely impossible.
This geographical howler didn't escape the notice of sharp-eyed viewers, who quickly took to social media to express their disbelief at the production error.
Social Media Erupts With Disbelief
Twitter and Facebook feeds filled with comments from amused and frustrated fans alike. One viewer quipped, "Someone should tell the BBC that you can't drive to Oban from Shetland - unless they've built a very long bridge overnight!"
Another long-time fan expressed their disappointment, noting that such errors undermine the show's reputation for authenticity. "Part of Shetland's appeal has always been its accurate portrayal of island life. These kinds of mistakes just remind us we're watching fiction."
Not the First Time
This isn't the first instance where television productions have played fast and loose with Scottish geography. Several other popular shows have been caught placing towns and landmarks in entirely wrong regions, much to the amusement of local viewers who know better.
The error comes during Ashley Jensen's second series as lead detective, following her takeover from original star Douglas Henshall. While Jensen's performance has been widely praised, this production misstep has unfortunately distracted from the otherwise compelling storyline.
Why Geographical Accuracy Matters
For crime dramas that trade heavily on their sense of place and local authenticity, such geographical errors can be particularly jarring. Shetland has built its reputation on capturing the unique atmosphere and challenges of island policing, making attention to geographical detail crucial for maintaining viewer immersion.
The BBC has yet to comment on the blunder, but fans continue to hope that future episodes will pay closer attention to the actual geography that makes the Shetland Islands such a distinctive setting for crime drama.
