There is a very good Ratter picture of the Quoy's tree.
John David Ratter , better known by his signature of J D Rattar, usually written in pencil, is still perhaps the most recognised of all Shetland photographers. He was born on a croft at Fethaland, Northmavine, on 26th January 1876 and died in Lerwick on 8th September 1957, aged 81.
He was known as 'Jack'. His father was drowned off Fethaland when he was just three months old, leaving his mother with Jack and his three year older brother William.
He served an apprenticeship as a joiner and soon acquired an interest in the photography which became his life's work.
He is perhaps best known for his landscapes with towering clouds and shafts of light, but he recorded all aspects of Shetland life, people, places and wildlife.
In his lifetime most Shetland homes had a framed 'Rattar' picture on the wall and these are still in demand when they appear at auction sales, with more than a few collectors of his work.
He had premises at 175 Commercial Street, at the corner of Charlotte Street, Lerwick, where he produced, framed and sold his prints. He built his own photographic enlarger from wood and natural light ducted from a skylight was its light source; calculating exposure times for his prints came from experience! He also produced a large range of 'real photo' type postcards showing topographical scenes, shetland people, activities and wildlife. These are still very sought after by collectors of Shetland postcards.
In the folkloric traditions of the Orkney and Shetland islands, a trow (alternatively trowe or drow) is a small, troll-like fairy creature.[1] Trows, in general, are inclined to be short of stature, ugly and both shy and mischievous in nature. Like the troll of Scandinavian legend, with which the trow shares many similarities, trows are nocturnal creatures; venturing out of their 'trowie knowes' (earthen mound dwellings) solely in the evening, they often enter households as the inhabitants sleep. Trows traditionally have a fondness for music, and folktales tell of their habit of kidnapping musicians or luring them to their dens.