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About UsThe Shetland Islands Cruisers were started early in 2003 - so we are in our 5th year!Our SIC has two main aims:1. To enjoy local. friendly ride-outs/get-togethers whenever possible, and the weather is right (or not!) - and, if not, then in the pub, the SIC Crew's Inn, or someone's hoose/s...2. To welcome and assist visiting bikers/groups to cruise the Auld Rock, to enjoy the new company and old friends - and to make new ones...And - to Ride Together, to Ride Safe - and Enjoy!THE SIC EMBLEMOriginates from the Raven Flag or Banner that is well in evidence at Up Helly Aa on the last Tuesday of every January, raised high above the Lerwick Town Hall - and at other Fire Festivals throughout Shetland.A verse from the Up-Helly-A' Song: A verse from The Galley Song:Words by J. J. Haldane Burgess, M.A. Music by Thomas Manson Words by John Nicolson Norwegian Folk-Song Melody In distant lands, their raven-flag flew like a blazing star; Floats the raven banner o'er us, And foreign foemen, trembling, heard their battle-cry afar; Round our Dragon Ship we stand, And they thundered o'er the quaking earth, those mighty men of war; Voices joined in gladsome chorus, The waves are rolling on. Raised aloft the flaming band. The Raven Flag The raven banner was a flag flown by various viking chieftains and other Scandinavian rulers during the ninth, tenth and eleventh centuries CE. Although the flag normally used in “modern times” (as at Up Helly Aa) is a red rectangular one depicting a black raven with open wings, originally it in fact had a white background with a black raven on it. The flag, as depicted in Norse artwork, was roughly triangular, with a rounded outside edge on which there hung a series of tabs or tassels. It bore a resemblance to ornately carved "weather-vanes" used aboard viking longships. "... That the flag actually bore a raven is evident from the illustrations on coins of the tenth century which have been found in England and Ireland. These coins also clearly show that the shape of the flag was an irregular triangle, not the rectangle which modern artists use in illustrating 'the Viking flag.'We do not know what colors were used for the raven and border of the flag, but the field was white."From: Smith, Whitney, The Flag Book of the United States, 1975, p. 11Supposedly it was made for Jarl Sigurd by his mother, and he had it with himwhen he went to Ireland. Another legend about the banner was that it broughtvictory while it was carried, but its bearer died.The story goes, that at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, against Brian Boru's forces,two of Sigurd's men who were carrying the banner had died, and the third one he asked refused to take it up.Thereupon, Sigurd wrapped it around his waist, but was killed by an Irish spear. It was at this same battle that Brian was ambushed and slain.From a Captain E. M. C. Barraclough’s detailed research on the Raven Flag, he quotes Asser's "Life of King Alfred"referring to an event in 878 Britain where the "Christians" had captured the Vikings things, among which was "the flag they call the Raven."Of this flag Asser states "... in every battle wherever the flag went before them, if they were to gain the victory a live raven would appear flying in the middle of the flag, but if they were doomed to be defeated it would hang down motionless..." The V-Twin behind the Raven represents an ideal cruising motor – and the colours of the emblem represent those of Shetland’s own white on blue flag.And the Shetland Islands Cruisers acronymically? The S.I.C. is well kent throughout Hjaltland/Zetland/Shetland…. although sometimes it is attributed to another band of worthies, the Shetland Islands Council – our own local authority!THE SIC (Shetland Islands Cruisers) MOTTOOriginates from a line from ‘The Law of the Jungle’ a poem by Rudyard Kipling(Born December 30, 1865, Died January 18, 1936)This seemed to be very appropriate for a “non-political” group of motorbiking friends as are the Shetland Islands Cruisers…Now this is the Law of the Jungle -- as old and as true as the sky; And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die. As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk the Law runneth forward and back -- For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.Compiled by ViKing, 2007 Shetland Islands Cruisers are generously supported andsponsored by Michael Stark of Hjaltland Seafarms UK Ltd.(inc. Lerwick Fish Traders Ltd/Shetland Products Ltd) You getsouta things wot you put in ; -) http://www.shetland-products.comFor the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack... HOT NEWS SHETLAND ISLANDS CRUISERS News Flashes, Site Updates, Latest Additions Click here to edit the text This website, by ViKing, 2007 All material and content on this website is copyright of Shetland Islands Cruisers unless otherwise stated. Latest FlashPlayerneeded to view... 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