Shetland ForWirds' new cartoon character and mascot was launched at their sell-out concert in the Garrison Theatre, Lerwick on Tuesday 14 May 2013.  Called Dratsi, the character takes his name from the dialect word for an otter, originally one of the tabu words used at sea.

The six foot mascot is based on original drawings by  Peter Shaw.  Dratsi made his appearance on stage whilst Davy Cooper was telling the well-known story of Robbie Glen and the Otter and the audience seemed to appreciate the antics of the surprise guest.

Dratsi now features on the website next to the Saying of the Week and on the riddles page, and will soon appear on new products.  He'll also start popping up at events throughout the isles to help promote the work of Shetland Forwirds and to encourage folk to keep speaking the dialect.