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Museum cafe closes

The museum cafe is closing due to staff shortages, Shetland Amenity Trust has announced.

Hay’s Dock by the Dowry – operated by Beervana Ltd – is shutting its doors after finding it impossible to secure necessary workers.

It comes two-and-a-half years after an arrangement between the trust and Beervana was launched.

The trust says a mutual end of tenancy has now been reached between both parties.

The partnership had a shared vision of offering visitors both a casual daytime option and a formal evening experience.

However, recent challenges within the hospitality sector have changed the landscape considerably, with Beervana making the difficult decision to cease operations at the Hay’s Dock location.  

Stuart Fox from The Dowry said: “While we’re disappointed to close the Hay’s Dock café and restaurant due to ongoing staffing issues, this decision allows us to focus on exciting plans we have to improve our offering at The Dowry, and we look forward to continuing to welcome our customers on ‘da street’. 

“We have really enjoyed our time at Hay’s Dock, and would like to thank everyone at Shetland Amenity Trust for giving us the opportunity to run the venue over the past two and half years.”

Shetland Amenity Trust said in a statement: “We are saddened that the arrangement with Beervana has come to an end but fully understand the reasons behind the decision. 

“We will take some time to explore options for the space to ensure that visitors to Shetland Museum and Archives can enjoy some light refreshments. 

“Meanwhile we wish Stuart and the team at The Dowry every future success.”

Storm Bert to cause disruption on NorthLink ferries

Passengers on the NorthLink ferries this weekend can expect disruption across all services this weekend, with storm Bert forecast to batter the isles.

The operator issued a warning today (Thursday) ahead of adverse weather over Saturday and Sunday’s sailings.

The Met Office has warned of wind speeds as high as 69mph during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Crack addict jailed for smuggling heroin worth £25k 

A 43-year-old crack addict who smuggled heroin into Shetland to pay off a drug debt has been jailed.

Sean Penman, of Kelty in Fife, was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Lerwick Sheriff Court today (Wednesday).

Sheriff Cruickshank said heroin was a pernicious substance.

“It causes misery and it causes death,” he said.

Penman last month admitted trying to bring 246g of the Class A drug - worth almost £25,000 - into Shetland on the NorthLink ferry.

Officers searched his car as it came off the Hrossey on 14th January when they found the drugs as well as a friction lock baton.

When asked to give his name he replied “Sean Smith” in a short lived attempt to mislead officers.

Penman had been unable to attend court last month due to a lack of funds but was ordered to return for his sentencing this week.

Defence agent Iain McCafferty said reports prepared for the hearing were “fairly sympathetic” to his client.

Mr McCafferty acknowledged Penman had previous convictions but suggested it was “perhaps a lesser record than might be expected” for someone who has struggled with heroin addiction for most of his adult life.

The solicitor said his client managed to maintain his heroin habit without resorting to further crimes.

However, he said his situation “went downhill fairly sharply” when Penman started using crack cocaine and racked up a debt after his addiction took hold.

Mr McCafferty said Penman was offered the opportunity to clear his debt by couriering the drugs.

While the court previously heard the drugs had been valued at almost £25,000, Mr McCafferty noted the heroin’s purity was only seven per cent, indicating it had little chance of fetching a higher price by being further cut.

He said the couriering operation was “not a sophisticated one”.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank noted Penman’s case was the second he had heard that day involving people bringing drugs and offensive weapons into Shetland.

While the sheriff accepted Penman had become a courier due to his addiction, he said it was “not an unsubstantial quantity of heroin”.

“In the circumstances,there’s no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence,” he said.