Crews attend Lerwick house fire
Firefighters have been called to tackle a blaze at a house in Lerwick.
Firefighters have been called to tackle a blaze at a house in Lerwick.
Public consultation on the next iteration of the Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS4) contract is now open.
A woman has been charged with attempted murder – with the incident alleged to have taken place close to where members of Team Shetland had been staying during the island games.
Vehicles will be unable to access Sumburgh Head during a road closure tomorrow (Tuesday).
Stuart Hill has been released from prison, describing his incarceration as a “five week stay in a penthouse suite”.
The self-styled sovereignty campaigner was jailed for for three months in June after refusing to comply with an unpaid work order.
During his time at HMP Grampian Mr Hill wrote several letters to The Shetland Times on his sovereignty drive for Shetland.
Now, he has written another, in which he describes HMP Grampian as “His Majesty’s Pleasure Ground” -before providing a mock Trip Advisor review.
“I’ve just come back from a five-week stay in a penthouse suite with sea views at the renowned HMPG (His Majesty’s Pleasure Grounds) in Peterhead, Scotland,” says Mr Hill.
“Although it was recommended by the highest authorities, I think they probably need to update their inspection process before making further recommendations.”
In his “review”, the 82-year-old criticises the prison for its “very poor” room service.
The free travel service offered was “not exactly the height of comfort”, and the toaster only toasted on one side.
There was no wifi, says Mr Hill, and the minibar was never refilled.
Mr Hill said that, while the “room” did have a kettle, there were no tea, coffee or biscuits.
“There seemed to be no means to get out and about and enjoy the local amenities,” he said.
“In short, it was more akin to a prison than a hotel.”
Mr Hill, of Cunningsburgh, has persistently claimed the Crown has no authority over Shetland, which he says is not legally part of Scotland or the UK.
In June he was ordered to complete 75 hours of unpaid work after he refused to pay an outstanding fine issued at Kirkwall Sheriff Court in 2017.
But he was imprisoned after refusing to sign court documents or comply with the order.
Concluding his review, Mr Hill states: “I predict that this establishment will lose its popularity rating unless it gets its house in order”.
Almost 30 young people are being supported by Sail Training Shetland as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime in the Tall Ships races 2025.
Sixteen trainees from Shetland will take part in races two, three and four. They will be joined by another 10 trainees from Stornoway.
A total of 20 will trainees sail aboard Shetland’s sail training vessel Swan, while the remaining six gain experience on three larger international vessels.
With the race series returning to the North Sea and Aberdeen featured as a host port, excitement is building for what promises to be a memorable event.
Ten trainees sponsored by Stornoway Port Authority have been sailing in race two aboard Swan from Dunkirk to arrive in Aberdeen for this weekend’s celebrations.
Chairwoman of Sail Training Shetland Melanie Henderson said: “We’re again blown away by the high level of interest from young people to take part in a sail training adventure.
“The enthusiasm shown through the application process was exceptional, making the selections for available placements extremely difficult.
“It is with great pride that we are supporting young trainees to take part in this year’s Tall Ships Races – an experience we know will be both challenging and life-changing – and at the same time continuing our partnership with Stornoway Port Authority to support their trainee logistics.
“We are especially excited to grasp the opportunities to be involved with the Tall Ships Races visiting Aberdeen. As a long-established sail training charity, it is an incredible opportunity to showcase our
maritime heritage with trainees participating onboard Shetland’s flagship vessel Swan to inspire the next generation of sailors.”
A new book exploring part of Shetland’s heritage and culture will be launched at the Shetland Library on Tuesday 29th July.
Vod is a colourful montage of photographs of Shetland’s abandoned crofthouses, with poems by Christine De Luca.
The selection of crofthouses, 38 in all, are in a variety of locations ranging from Unst to Fair Isle and from Foula to Skerries.
Each is accompanied by a short poem in Shaetlan (with an English version) evoking something of the individuality of the place and of the people who lived there.
All the crofts can be found using the OS grid references, and explanations are also given about the derivations of the fascinating place-names.
At the launch, which is due to begin at 7pm, poems will be read in both in Shaetlan and in French from De Luca’s recent bilingual collection Whit ails, whit heals Ce qui afflige, ce qui apaise – when she will be accompanied by her translator, Jean-Yves Le Disez.
The event, which will also include a few tunes from Claire White, is free and open to all.
De Luca, who spent her formative years in Walls, is well-known as both a Shetland and Scottish poet and novelist.
She lives in Edinburgh and was appointed Edinburgh’s Makar (laureate) for 2014-2017.
She has had eight collections of poetry published, as well as bilingual collections in French, Italian, Icelandic, Norwegian and in English.
De Luca is a member of Shetland ForWirds and a keen advocate of the Shaetlan tongue.
Shetland may be at risk of wildfire this weekend, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has warned.
An extreme risk of wildfire is in effect today (Friday) in areas across the east of the country and throughout Shetland.
By Saturday and Sunday, the main risk of wildfire will affect areas in and around Moray. The warning will remain in place until Monday.
People are asked to avoid the use of naked flames outdoors, including the use of barbecues.
Wildfires have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife – and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.
The vast majority of wildfires are started by human behaviour and the SFRS is urging communities to avoid lighting fires and using naked flames while this warning is in place.
Group Commander Niall MacLennan is one of the SFRS wildfire tactical advisers.
“We know that people acting responsibly outdoors can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting,” he said.
“That’s why we’re urging people within these areas to absolutely avoid the use of naked flames, including barbecues, at this time.
“It only takes one spark to start a wildfire and things can get out of hand very, very quickly.
“Discarded cigarettes and unsupervised campfires pose a significant threat, so it’s vital to follow all safety advice when outdoors and to make sure you are familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at all times.”
Remote and rural communities, in particular, are impacted by wildfire.
Mr MacLennan added: “Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage.
“Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires – as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.
“These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of air polluting gases into the atmosphere.”
The SFRS has an array of wildfire prevention and safety advice on its website.
You can learn more about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code online.
Retired minister John B. Logan recalls his boyhood in Shetland where his father had the extensive Dunrossness parish between 1911 and 1922. A vivid portrayal in prose and poetry of …
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FIND OUT MORELerwick-born author and respected local historian, Douglas M. Sinclair, in his own inimitable style, takes the reader on a journey of discovery through the streets of the Conservation Areas of …
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FIND OUT MORELaughton Johnston’s grandfather, like so many Shetland seamenof the 19th century, moved to Leith where his father’sgeneration was brought up. The Shetland family and seafaringconnections, however, proved strong and a …
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FIND OUT MOREEssays in Honour of Brian SmithEdited by Mark Smith and Ian Tait In 1976, Brian Smith became Shetland’s first archivist. Since hisappointment, however, he has been much more than a …
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FIND OUT MOREJoin a young brother and sister as they gaze through a telescope from their bedroom window. Telescope, Telescope brings you to the heart of a small community, and an island …
Join a young brother and sister as they gaze through a telescope from their bedroom window. Telescope, Telescope brings you to the heart of a small community, and an island …
FIND OUT MOREA visually stunning book showcasing Shetland’s natural history by one of the islands’ most renowned naturalists and photographers. Thomason’s passion for both the wildlife and the islands exude from every …
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FIND OUT MOREAlec arrived on Britain’s most inaccessible inhabited island of Foula at a critical time, the last cattle had been sold, the shop was due to close and several young people …
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FIND OUT MOREA Shetland Knitter’s Notebook is the companion volume to the bestselling A Shetland Pattern Book. First published in 1991, it contains more words and pictures from Mary Smith and photographs …
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FIND OUT MOREFirst published in 1979, A Shetland Pattern Book became a global bestseller, with numerous reprints and revisions. Since the last edition went out of print in the early 1990s it …
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FIND OUT MOREPAPERBACK EDITION Spanning decades as well as the seasons, thirty well known figures of the local bird scene share what Shetland’s birds mean to them and recount their best days. …
PAPERBACK EDITION Spanning decades as well as the seasons, thirty well known figures of the local bird scene share what Shetland’s birds mean to them and recount their best days. …
FIND OUT MOREThe popular view is that Shetland’s graceful double-ended boats are direct descendants of the Viking longship. This unbroken linking of the Shetland boat to the Norse era was fuelled by …
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FIND OUT MOREIn the hungry 1840s, the town of Lerwick is struggling with massive social problems, and Kirstie Jamieson, widow, is trying to feed three children. Like the town she lives in, …
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FIND OUT MOREA History of the Shetland Hand Knitting Industry 1600-1950 First published 1995. This facsimile edition first published 2021. This book traces the history of the Shetland hand knitting industry from …
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FIND OUT MOREFollowing the huge success of Volume One, the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers are back with 12 new designs. Patterns range from peerie projects to full size …
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FIND OUT MOREOur bestseller now reprinted for a fifth time. A classic story of secret wartime missions across the North Sea. Dark winters provided the perfect cover for missions to occupied Norway …
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FIND OUT MOREIsles MP Alistair Carmichael has lodged a parliamentary motion celebrating the success of the 2025 International Island Games.
The motion, supported by other island MPs including Torcuil Crichton of the Western Isles and Richard Quigley, who represents Isle of Wight West, recognises the thousands of visitors and participants in the games, the work of volunteers and the medal success of islands from across the UK.
Mr Carmichael said: “The island games have shown off Orkney at its absolute best. Quite apart from the efforts of the athletes themselves the sheer numbers of people volunteering to pitch in and help in big ways and small this week has been enormously inspiring.
“Massive credit has to go to those who have prepared for this week for the past months and years – both to the organisers in Orkney but also to those who have prepared and trained and done those little things that bring a team together and get them to where they need to be.
“Wherever people have travelled from to take part, they have brought a bit of their community with them and shared in something truly special. That is always worth celebrating.”
Shetland’s first woman-empowered festival will take place next month, with free workshops aimed at empowering new voices in music and performance.
The Slippit Festival is turning up the volume this summer, with workshops aimed at aspiring musicians, performers and creatives of all experience levels.
Abilities can range from folk who have never played an instrument before to those who are trying to “find their voice” again.
The workshops will cover everything from live sound and starting a band to confidence-building, songwriting, photography and creative play.
Some of the workshops are exclusively for women, girls and gender non-conforming people.
The festival is designed to be all inclusive, with an emphasis on “making space for people who haven’t always had the chance to be heard”.
The sessions are intended to build confidence, help participants make connections and help under-represented voices grow louder in Shetland’s music scene.
Workshops are led by a variety of people, including Amanda Pearson, Stevie Hook, Lisa Ward, Lakota Clubb and Ashlea Tulloch, who are all dedicated to “nurturing creativity in safe, welcoming spaces”.
The workshops lead up to Slippit Festival itself, which takes place on Saturday 13th September.
Festival chairwoman Carina Newell said it was “genuinely inspiring” to see the workshops being offered by members of the Slippit team.
“It’s such a powerful example of what happens when facilitators reflect the audience,” she said.
“They help spark that belief in others that ‘people like me can do this’.
“It’s a real testament to the team’s commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space where they’re not only sharing skills but also modelling leadership and giving one hundred per cent to Slippit as a movement for change.”
Pearson and Hook’s workshop will take place on 2nd August – with a focus on the world of live sound.
The workshop is intended for people of all genders over the age of 13 with no previous musical experience required.
Later in the day the pair will host a workshop on how to start a band. This session also open to everyone over the age of 13.
The Learn to Play Again workshop will take place from 11am on Sunday 3rd August.
This workshop is exclusively for women, girls and other marginalised genders aged 16 and over.
Later that day, the Photography and the Female Form workshop will be held by isles photographer Lakota Clubb.
Those who attend this workshop are advised to bring whatever photographic tools they have, whether it be a smartphone or a professional camera.
This session is also open to women, girls and other marginalised genders over 16.
All of these workshops will be held again the following weekend, as well as a number of new ones.
On Saturday 9th August, a workshop on confidence and stage presence will take place between 2.30pm and 5pm for women, girls and other marginalised genders over 16.
This session will be held by isles singer and musician Lisa Ward with the aim of helping participants lock into their “inner rock star” by developing an onstage persona and learning voice projection.
The final workshop, Exploring Songwriting, will take place on Sunday 10th August from 2.30pm - with this session also hosted by Lisa Ward.
All of the workshops will be held at Staney Hill.
While the sessions are free, there are limited spaces, so booking is essential via Eventbrite.
Proposals for 16-year-olds to be able to vote in the UK parliamentary elections have been put forward as part of a new government strategy.
READ FULL STORYA 44-year-old man has been taken to hospital following a disturbance near to where members of Team Shetland were staying for the island games.
READ FULL STORYWe have a number of vacancies for various hours at locations throughout Shetland. Jobs on offer this week include… • Clerical Assistant – Sandwick •…
SEASONAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES – Herring Season FACTORY OPERATIVES & FORKLIFT DRIVERS Pelagia Shetland Ltd require Factory Operatives and Forklift Drivers to work on both Dayshift…
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The Compass Centre has appointed Debbie Sangster as its new managing director.
Ms Sangster has over 14 years of experience across multiple sectors, most recently with the mental health
charity See Me Scotland based in Glasgow.
“I am delighted to be taking the helm at the Compass Centre and continuing to support the staff to deliver this valued service in the local community,” she said.
“I have visited Shetland many times and am looking forward to making my home here.”
The organisation said Ms Sangster was “well equipped” to lead the centre into a new chapter and would build on the “solid foundation” established by Linda Gray and Lisa Ward.
During the period Ms Gray and Ms Ward were leading the centre, the number of staff working at the organisation grew from two to nine.
The Compass Centre provides free, inclusive and confidential support and information to any non-perpetrating person of any gender aged 13+ in Shetland affected by sexual violence.
For further information or support, visit here.
In today’s (Thursday, 17th July) edition of The Shetland Times:
• Shetland gets searing start to Island Games in Orkney. Catchup on all the action and photographs in an eight-page supplement.
• 6,000 tonne Fish Holm salmon farm is sent back to consultation.
• EXCLUSIVE: Islanders rubbish VisitScotland’s claim that Unst is “easy to reach”.
• ENERGY: Fallout after Labour ditches zonal energy idea.
• Climate change has brought Lerwick’s hottest July day in more than three decades — and more flies?
• Shetland falls under Russian attack in simulated “war game”.
• ARTS: Shetland’s first woman-empowered music and arts festival gathers steam.
• SPORT: Hear from walking football world champs, Forvik.
The sailing team was patiently waiting for more wind on Wednesday morning, somewhat
ironically after having plenty of it the previous two days.
Shetland team manager Darren Forrest, also a competitor of course, shared his thoughts on
the action so far.
In the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) 6 category, formerly the radial class,
Michael Tait was as high as sixth at one stage but had settled in eighth position by the end
of the third day.
Team mate Willum Leask was lying in the middle of the field after a disappointing start on
Sunday.
Forrest said: “Willum is getting more consistent results now and is back up to 10th. He had a
pretty decent day yesterday.
“Tuesday was very windy so it was very challenging, with 19 to 20 knots and peak gusts of
25 knots.
”Monday was pretty mental as well. But to be truthfully honest it gives everyone an
opportunity to find their right wind strength. We don’t mind 10-15 knots too much and there
are guys who are good in the light stuff as well.”
Forrest and his colleague Adrian Wishart are sailing in the ILCA 7 category (formerly the full
rig) and were in ninth and 18th places after the third day.
“It wasn’t too good at first,” he said. “But things have got a bit better and I’m slowly picking
my way through the fleet.
“I’m currently ninth which is nice, given the standard we are up against. Arthur Farley from
the Isle of Wight is part of the British squad. That’s some difference of breed but we feel that
can inspire you and keep you going.”
Farley was well ahead in the ILCA 7 after three days with only two points separating Josh
Metcalf and Alistair Dickson (Ynys Mon), Timothy Dunn (Isle of Man) and Harry White (Isle
of Wight) in positions two to five.
In the ICLA 6 class Oliver Mayo (Isle of Wight) was in a similar position, streaking away from
the rest of the field. Ines Maria Abreu Garcia from Menorca and Will Jackson of the Cayman
Islands was lying second equal.
There were another seven medals in the bag for Team Shetland on Tuesday, taking the total to 11.
This update was recorded before two of these medals were won.
Shetland’s men have won the silver in the bowl’s pairs competition.
Alex Elphinstone and Gibbie Pottinger narrowly lost to Orkney in the gold/silver decider.
Katie Anderson will get her chance between the sticks for Shetland’s women’s team this afternoon after keeper Jessica Laurenson was ruled out through injury.
Laurenson made way for Anderson after 80 minutes of play in the 2-0 defeat to Jersey yesterday (Monday), with the latter taking her place.
Speaking to The Shetland Times this afternoon, a gutted Adam Priest said that was the last time Laurenson would compete during these games.
The regular number one was determined to play on but the coaching staff made the call to bring her off with minutes to play.
“It shows how much they’re all wanting to put into it,” Priest said.
“[We just] need to regroup and go again.”
Members of the coaching staff had a late night with Laurenson at the hospital who sustained a knee injury.
Shetland women face Bermuda at the Kirkwall Grammar School pitch 2 this afternoon at 3.30pm.
Members of the public will be able to take a tour around the coastguard’s emergency towing vessel when she calls in to Lerwick later this week.
READ FULL STORYA coastguard helicopter was tasked this morning to rescue a casualty from an offshore platform east of Shetland.
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Shetland’s sailors had mixed results on day one of the competition in Kirkwall Bay.
After the first two races in the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) 7 category Darren Forrest and Adrian Wishart finished fairly well down the field, in 15th and 17th places overall respectively out of 19.
However, in the ILCA 6 race Michael Tait sailed well to come in fifth and eighth (fifth overall).
His team mate Willum Leask was 15th and 12th (15th overall), out of an entry of 22.
Ines Maria Abreu Garcia of Menorca was in first place in the ILCA 6 category, while Arthur Farley, representing the Isle of Wight, led the ILCA 7 section.
After winning the first medal of the island games, triathlete Louise Parr spoke to The Shetland Times about the success.
Also joining the island games brief update is sports columnist Jim Tait, who reviews the day’s events from Sunday.
Team Shetland’s women’s triathletes have gone one better than 2023 and secured the first medal of the International Island Games.
Louise Parr finished fourth overall, in the race in a time of 02:26:12.
Lynsey Henderson was sixth (02:31:13), Emma Leask 12th (02:37:42) and Wendy Hatrick 22nd (03:11:03).
The side picked up the silver medal for their efforts.
James Irvine was the first Shetland triathlete across the finish line in today’s event at the Orkney island games.
Irvine was sixth to complete the course – although there has not been an official time yet.
Andy Aitken and Lewis Anderson followed Irvine soon after.
In the women’s triathlon, only Louise Parr has completed the race, finishing fourth overall.
James Irvine officially completed the race in two hours seven minutes and one second.
Andrew Aitken finished 21st (02:07:01), Lewis Anderson 25th (02:18:53) and Andrew Grant 27th (02:20:01).
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