New BBC Show Tells the Story of Shelties

Dec 29, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Picture this—a group of Shelties running on a beach, wind in their fur. That was the scene in one of the latest episodes of the BBC Alba series Cù Leis Thu, a unique show that tells the stories of Scotland’s native dog breeds.

In episode 4, Peter MacQueen, the host of the series, travels to Shetland to learn about Shelties from the Islanders who know them best. He calls it “an honor and a privilege” to meet the breed and explore their history on their home turf.

First, MacQueen heads to St. Ninian’s Isle beach, where he meets Kaylee Williamson and her six shelties, known as the “Hobbit Paws” gang. She raises money for charity (tens of thousands so far) by releasing calendars with their photos, set in various places across Shetland.

After the windswept beach, MacQueen makes a few more stops. His next visit is with Irvine Burgess, who has a remarkable link to the past—his great-grandfather was a founding member of the Shetland Collie Club, formed to promote Shelties (originally called Shetland Collies). Burgess shares the historical treasures he found in a box in his mother’s house, including minutes from the Club’s first meeting in 1908.

The journey continues with historian DS Murray, who notes how Sheltie appearances have changed since their ancestors were first brought to Shetland from Scandinavia. The loyal companions we know today are centuries away from the small, black and white dogs they started off as.

Other highlights of the episode include a rescued Sheltie named Sandy who helps socialize foster dogs, a visit with two-week old Sheltie pups, and a croft tour. Located on the west side of Shetland, Marion Anderson’s croft is a beautiful place shared by Shelties, sheep, and ponies. She explains that Shelties were originally used to drive sheep into pens and that their popularity in Shetland fell over time but has picked up in recent years.

The episode ends on a picturesque note—an outdoor photo session with Kaylee Williamson’s pack of Shelties, the wind in their fur and the “spirit of Shetland” in their eyes.

How to watch: a clip from the show is available on YouTube.

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