‘Grim’ situation for future of New Shetlander

The future of The New Shetlander magazine, believed to be the oldest literary and community magazine in Scotland, is “now grim” according to its publisher.

Voluntary Action Shetland (VAS), which publishes the 73-year-old magazine quarterly, has said it is “finding it more and more difficult to publish” the magazine.

The cost of printing the magazine each month is being supported by Voluntary Action Shetland’s reserves, which the organisation said is “unsustainable” long term.

The 292nd edition of the magazine was released this month, with editor Brian Smith warning in his editorial that the magazine faced an uncertain future.

“Now, after 73 years, there is danger that it may not survive much longer,” he said.

“The financial situation that we face is grave.”

Both Mr Smith and VAS said that the magazine’s circulation had declined in recent years, and had been adversely affected by the rising popularity of social media.

There will be no “hairst” edition published later this year, with the next magazine not set to be released until November now.

VAS said they would spend the next five months discussing the future of the magazine with its editors.