Craft fair a huge draw
This year’s Clickimin Craft Fair has drawn hundreds through the doors. Organisers say 800 visitors came to enjoy the flagship arts and craft event yesterday…
The Shetland Times Live
Researcher featured as ‘one to watch’ on list of inspirational young women ‘excelling in their fields’
A researcher with Shetland’s first youth-led charity has been featured on a list of “inspiring and tenacious” young women who are creating change in their communities.
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Island Larder impresses judges with ‘stand out performance’ to win food award
Island Larder has been recognised for its “passion and commitment” at the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards.
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POLL: Will you be tuning in for Shetland series nine?
Shetland is set to return to our screens next week for its ninth series.
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Fire at Gremista grid supply point
A fire broke out this morning (Friday) at the Gremista grid supply point (GSP).
Two fire engines attended the Lower Blackhill Industrial Estate at around 8.30am.
SSEN Transmission said it was a small fire affecting a mobile compressor and was quickly brought under control with no one hurt.
The company said construction work was able to start up again later in the morning and the network supply was unaffected.
Once completed next year, the GSP will allow Shetland’s energy network to connect with the mainland National Grid for the first time, reducing its reliance on the diesel fuelled Lerwick Power Station.
SSEN is assessing the damage caused by the fire but said there was no effect on the overall construction timetable.
LATEST BOOKS FROM THE SHETLAND TIMES BOOKSHOP
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Wild Shetland Through the Seasons
A 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 …
£36.99FIND 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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The Shetland Bus
Our 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 …
£8.99FIND 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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Call of the Running Tide
The call of the running tide has greatly influenced Louis Johnson, his family and friends and is the common thread throughout this life story spanning almost 90 years from boyhood …
£12.99FIND OUT MOREThe call of the running tide has greatly influenced Louis Johnson, his family and friends and is the common thread throughout this life story spanning almost 90 years from boyhood …
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A Shetland Pattern Book
First 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 …
£9.99FIND 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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Farewell Fugley Island
Alec 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 …
£14.99FIND 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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Knitting By the Fireside and on the Hillside
A 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 …
£9.99FIND 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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Best Days with Shetland's Birds - Paperback
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. …
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From Honky-Tonks to Helicopters
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£7.99FIND OUT MORELerwick born author and local historian, Douglas M. Sinclair, is well-known for his detailed and informative writing about Old Lerwick. In this publication however, he proves to be a witty …
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Shetland's Boats: Origin, evolution and use
The 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 …
£40FIND 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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Grottie-Buckie an Tirli-Wirli
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Fair Isle Designs from Shetland Knitters Volume 2
Following 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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Kirstie's Witnesses
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In this week’s Shetland Times
In today’s (Friday, 1st November) edition of The Shetland Times:
- Investigation launched into Viking turbine damage.
- Schoolboy wins national accordion competition.
- Latest Up-Helly-A’ committee member elected.
- Sex offender jailed for 35 months.
- New police area commander speaks to The Shetland Times.
- Ghost hunter to resurrect paranormal television show in the isles.
- Reaction to budget as questions remain over Fair Isle ferry funding.
- New consultation on large energy project applications.
- Read our Shetland Food and Drink feature.
- Youth Voice makes a return.
- SPORT: Report and pictures from Shetland men’s volleyball victory.
Ferry disruption expected after new heavy vehicle guidance
Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes now need to be secured at all times while travelling on council ferries, the SIC announced.
This comes following an investigation was launched into an incident where a concrete mixer overturned on the Unst ferry.
A car was crushed and a person treated for shock after a mixer overturned and crushed a car on the deck of the Bigga on Bluemull Sound last month.
Now, Shetland Islands Council has been told by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, that all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must be secured on the deck of vessels, irrespective of weather and tidal conditions.
Previously, the master of the vessel could apply a discretion based on the type of vehicle and the conditions on the day. Under this new direction, this discretion can no longer be applied on this route.
The SIC has been told to implement this new guidance with immediate effect.
Other inter-island ferry routes, including Fetlar, remain unaffected, and existing arrangements can continue.
Council staff are currently working to assess the implications of this change and how best to minimise the disruption to ferry services.
The effect of this new direction is that there will be some ongoing disruption to ferry services on Bluemull Sound while longer term arrangements are formulated and agreed.
In a statement the council said: “It is inevitable that this will impact on ferry timetables, with extra time needed for larger vehicles to be lashed. Lashings will also reduce available deck space for other vehicles travelling at the same time.”
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Stroke support group marks first 20 years
A long-running group that supports stroke victims has marked its first 20 years. Shetland Stroke Support Group was established in 2004 to provide practical support…
NorthLink warns of ferry disruption
Tomorrow’s southbound NorthLink sailing will leave Lerwick two hours earlier than scheduled. The ferry operator has advised customers of the move ahead of possible weather-related…
Investigation into wind turbine blade damage
A probe is being carried out to determine the cause of damage to a turbine at the Viking Energy Windfarm, near Vidlin.
Pictures posted on social media revealed showed the extent of the damage at the controversial Viking Energy Wind Farm, with part of the blade hanging off.
Windfarm owners SSE tried to ease concerns, saying it had disabled a turbine after receiving reports of damage.
“The wind turbine has been disabled and access to the turbine and the surrounding area has been restricted and made safe,” the renewable energy provider said.
“No one was injured or in the vicinity at the time the damage was sustained.
“We are working closely with the turbine manufacturer, Vestas, which has initiated an investigation into the cause of the incident.”
People expressed their anger over the incident on the Stop More Windfarms on Shetland Facebook page, with some highlighting the potential threat to traffic or passers by.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of tomorrow’s Shetland Times.
‘You have beautiful sunsets, seals and lobsters’ says commercial diver as he is handed a year’s driving ban
A commercial diver who crashed his car and then failed to give a breath sample has apologised to the people of Shetland – praising the isles for their beautiful sunsets, seals and lobsters.
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Cold Store Forklift Driver
Full-Time We are recruiting for a Forklift Driver to work in our busy Cold Store. This is a full-time position at our Gremista, Lerwick factory,…
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Various vacancies at Shetland Islands Council
We have a number of vacancies for various hours at locations throughout Shetland. Jobs on offer this week include… You can also follow us on…
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Various vessel vacancies at Shetland Islands Council
Mate – Yell Based Vessels£42,784.02 – £44,079.04 per annumSalary shown is inclusive of Distant Islands Allowance, Unsocial Allowance and Contracted Overtime Payment On-line Ref No:…
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Knitting Machine Operator with Jamiesons
KNITTING MACHINE OPERATOR – Full Time – 40hrs per week (8am-5pm) Join the Jamieson’s Knitwear team in their busy department at the Sandness Mill. This…
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Youth workers on street patrols following Harrison Square assault
Youth workers will be patrolling the streets following an assault which led to five young people being charged.
Fisherman ordered to pay £3,500 compensation after knocking man unconscious at Trench Bar
A fisherman who assaulted two men, knocking one unconscious and breaking his collarbone, has been ordered to pay £3,500 compensation.
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Rigger threatened to rape police officer’s wife and daughter
A 20-year-old rigger who threatened to rape a police officer’s wife and daughter has been told to “face up to what he has done” and return to Shetland for sentencing.
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Hjaltland Housing
HAS AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED APPLICANTS Two bedroom house in Guddataing, Burra We have a two bedroom, three person, semi-detached, single storey house available to rent. …
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Former Scatsta Airport Buildings
Shetland Islands Council FORMER AIRPORT BUILDINGS SCATSTA, BRAE, ZE2 9QP FOR LEASE Offers over £350,000 per annum + indexation are invited for lease To arrange…
Man who carried out ‘sustained and pre-planned’ sexual assault is jailed for almost three years
A 28-year-old Lerwick man who carried out a sustained and pre-planned sexual assault has been jailed for almost three years.
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UDATED: NorthLink bookings now available
Folk looking to finalise their festive travel plans have been advised NorthLink is expecting to open its new year bookings “very soon”.
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Jewellers up for sale for around £350k
A jewellers with almost 60 years’ history has gone up for sale.
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Fisherman taken to hospital
A coastguard helicopter went to the aid of a fisherman onboard a vessel north of Shetland this morning (Tuesday).
The R900 was called out before 9am, with the crew taking the patient back to Sumburgh Airport for a transfer into the hands of a medical team shortly before 11.30am.
Salmon survival rates at highest since pandemic began
Scottish salmon has recorded its best survival rate since the pandemic.
This was the assessment of Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott, who says it is thanks to a £1billion investment within the sector since 2018.
New figures published today (Tuesday) revealed a 98.18 per cent survival rate on farms in September, which is traditionally the most challenging month for salmon in the sea, following on from 99.03 per cent in June.
Mr Scott was delighted with the outcome, highlighting the high standards that salmon farmers place upon themselves to produce quality food.
He said: “Scottish salmon farmers provide the highest standards anywhere in the world for the animals in their care, and have invested £1 billion in fish health and welfare since 2018.
“It is testament to the dedication of farmers that survival rates on Scottish salmon farms are now at the highest level since 2020.”
Read more in the next edition of The Shetland Times.
WATCH: ‘The real star of the show in Shetland’ – actors reminisce about filming in the isles
Shetland stars have shared memories of filming in the isles from sea swimming to sampling puffin poo – and plenty of weather-related grumbles too.
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Power cuts in South Mainland due to fault with overhead network
Power cuts in the South Mainland have been caused by a fault with the overhead network.
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Man failed to carry out unpaid work after headbutting victim in Trench Bar
A 26-year-old man who headbutted his victim and then failed to comply with an unpaid work order has been given another chance.
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Woman denies assaulting partner
A 55-year-old woman has appeared in court charged with assaulting her partner.
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Sign language at this year’s panto
This year’s pantomime has already achieved a first, with a British Sign Language-interpreted performance scheduled to take place.
The special performance of Babes in the Wood is being staged by Open Door Drama Group.
Organisers say the move, being made in conjunction with Shetland Community Connections, marks a first for theatre in the isles.
They are keen that the deaf community have the opportunity to enjoy the special performance at the Garrison Theatre on Saturday 7th December.
Doors open at 1.30pm.
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