Shetland youth parliamentarian named as best ‘up and coming young politician’

Scalloway girl Nicole Mouat, who is Shetland’s member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, has been named as Scotland’s top “up and coming young politician”.

Nicole, 18, a pupil at the Anderson High School, attended the Scottish Variety Awards in Glasgow at the weekend, where she was presented with her prize. She was accompanied by Shetland Youth Voice chairwoman Emily Shaw and members of her family.

Nicole had earlier been given the “outstanding achievement” prize in the Scottish Youth Parliament Awards, for the “Picture the Change” project she carried out in Shetland.

She said: “I hadn’t even realised that I had been nominated for a Scottish Youth Parliament award, so when my name was called for the nomination I couldn’t believe it.

“When I was called out to have won the outstanding achievement award I was speechless. I couldn’t have achieved what I did for ‘Picture the Change’ consultation without the support of Martin Summers and the work Emily Shaw did to help.

“I want to thank all the Shetland people who voted for the Scottish Variety Awards. It was such an honour to have been nominated alongside such hardworking MSYPs. I also would like to thank the Shetland Islands Council for continuing support, the SYP for the work they do for all MSYPs and again, Martin and Emily.”