Marathon runners raise tens of thousands for worthy causes
Shetland runners who took part in today’s (Sunday) London Marathon have already notched up tens of thousands of pounds for worthy causes.
The Shetland Times Live
Distillery seeks licence extension to host whisky tasting sessions
Lerwick Distillery has applied for a licence extension to host whisky tasting sessions.
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Contractors sought to build 60 new homes in deal worth £9.8m
Contractors are being sought to build 60 new homes in a deal worth almost £10m.
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Urgent call for evidence to strike deal for ‘viable and prosperous’ fishing community
Fishing communities are being urged to share their views as part of plans secure a deal with the EU and support the sector’s future success.
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Wishart becomes godparent to Belarusian political prisoner
Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart has become a godparent to a Belarusian political prisoner and is calling for her release.
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LATEST BOOKS FROM THE SHETLAND TIMES BOOKSHOP
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A Shetland Boyhood: Memories of a Manse 1911-1922
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 …
£11.99FIND OUT MORERetired 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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Discover Lerwick
Lerwick-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 …
£14FIND 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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To the End of the Days of Sail. The Mariners of Shetland
Laughton 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 …
£25.99FIND 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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History Maker
Essays 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 …
£23.99FIND 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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Telescope, Telescope, what can you see?
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 …
£7.99FIND 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 …
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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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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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A Shetland Knitter's Notebook
A 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 …
£10.99FIND 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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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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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. …
£17.99FIND 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. …
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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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Kirstie's Witnesses
In 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, …
£8.99FIND 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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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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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 …
£21.99FIND 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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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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Pupils from a ‘fantastic year group’ mark their final day before exams
Anderson High School pupils have celebrated their last day together as a year group before exams.
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Uncertain future for The Shetland Times
After more than a century and a half, the future of The Shetland Times looks far from certain.
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In this week’s Shetland Times
In today’s (Friday, 25th April) edition of The Shetland Times:
• Urgent repairs required for crumbling and cracking hospital
• Teenager tragically dies in jet ski accident
• EXCLUSIVE: Isles placed at back of water pipe replacement list
• EXCLUSIVE: Fears raised as meter switch deadline draws closer
• EXCLUSIVE: Council spends thousands on changes to scheme
• EXCLUSIVE: History of the Bonnie Isle’s lairds to be unveiled
• EXCLUSIVE: Two Whalsay women aim to promote dialect with grandmother’s books
• SPORT: All the action from the darts inter-county
Click here to get The Shetland Times delivered to your device every Friday morning.
Temporary works to town’s district heating, Sheap announces
Household on district heating in Lerwick will be without heating or hot water overnight on Thursday, Shetland Heat Energy and Power announced.
The company announced the temporary interruption to supply this afternoon (Wednesday), which is a part of “essential maintenance” at its Gremista site.
Residents in the town can expect to be without either heating or hot water between 10pm on Thursday and 2am on Friday.
In a Facebook post, Sheap said: “This controlled shutdown is part of a scheduled maintenance work and it is not due to any fault or emergency.”
It added that it hoped to have the work completed as quickly as possible but would appreciate the message being passed on to elderly neighbours in the community.
SHETLAND JOBS
VIEW ALL![Seasonal help with Jamieson & Smith](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="320" height="213"></svg>)
FULL TIMESeasonal help with Jamieson & Smith
We are looking for a person to help in the upcoming wool season. Duties will primarily include packing wool and dealing with the deliveries of…
![Various vacancies at Shetland Islands Council](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="320" height="257"></svg>)
FULL TIMEVarious 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…
- Lerwick, Shetland. FULL TIME
Finance Officer at Lerwick Port Authority
A permanent, full-time position has arisen for a Finance Officer at the Authority’s main office at Albert Building. Main duties of the post include assisting…
![Trade Counter Assistant at Jewson](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="320" height="62"></svg>)
FULL TIMETrade Counter Assistant at Jewson
JEWSON LERWICK IS HIRING! TRADE COUNTER ASSISTANT In this role you’ll be the first point of contact for our customers – you’ll be responsible for…
Roberts takes on fundraising cycling challenge
The former boss of NHS Shetland is taking on a major 1,200-mile cycling challenge.
Ralph Roberts, who moved from the isles to take on a role at NHS Borders, is fundraising for both health boards’ charities and Scotland’s mental health charity SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health).
Mr Roberts, who has recently retired, is planning to ride around 1,200 miles.
Starting in May, the route will take Mr Roberts all the way from Unst to Melrose in the Scottish Borders while visiting the most northerly, westerly, easterly, and southerly health centres in Scotland, as well as the headquarters of all the Scottish health boards.
“Having been given the opportunity of a very satisfying career by the NHS, after retiring I wanted to give something back and, having done a bit of cycling, thought this would be a good way of doing this, while also giving me the opportunity to improve my own health and enjoy the beauty of Scotland.
“I am also keen to raise some funds for charity and am delighted to be doing this in aid of SAMH as well as NHS Borders and NHS Shetland’s charities.
“I know how important it is that we increase our focus on mental health and wellbeing, both from my own challenges with mental wellbeing during my career, and how much more we can do as an NHS to support those in our communities who need our services.
“Having worked in NHS Borders and NHS Shetland, I am also delighted to be supporting their charities, who do valuable work supporting the local staff to provide even better services, with additional equipment, training and staff support.”
Gymnastics club looking to use former farm shop as training venue
A former farm shop could become a training venue for gymnasts.
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Police confirm young man has died in jet ski tragedy
Police have confirmed a young man has died in a jet ski tragedy.
Emergency services were called to an incident in Gremista marina this afternoon.
A jet ski carrying two people crashed into the pier near Shetland Catch.
Police have now confirmed one person died.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 4pm on Tuesday, 22nd April, 2025, we were called to a report of a jet ski crashing into a pier at Gremista, Shetland.
“Emergency services attended and an 18-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“His family is aware.
“A 17-year-old male youth has been taken to hospital for treatment.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
Emergency services responding to jet ski incident in Gremista
Emergency services are attending to an ongoing jet ski incident at the Gremista marina.
The coastguard received an emergency call just after 4pm. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called after 4.20pm and sent two fire engines to the scene.
The incident is understood to have involved a jet ski with two people on board, which crashed into a pier near to Shetland Catch.
The coastguard helicopter and RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat have also been involved in the emergency response.
Coastguard would not confirm the nature of the incident.
“It is ongoing,” the coastguard said, “but it is not going to be protracted.”
The fire service was stood down at 4.53pm.
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Swan’s 125th birthday plans revealed
A weekend of celebrations have been planned next month for the 125th anniversary off the iconic sail training vessel, Swan‘s, first launch.
Plans kick off with the opening of a new special exhibition at Shetland Museum and Archives on Saturday, 3rd May.
Then, on Sunday, Swan will host an open day at Hay’s Dock (her “birthplace”) for the public to “tour the boat, share memories and learn about her storied past”.
Built by Hay & Company and launched in 1900, Swan was for the time the fleet’s largest herring fishing boat. Two world wars, a herring boom and one meticulous restoration later, she now runs as a sail training vessel under the stewardship of the Swan Trust.
“We invite everyone to help us celebrate Swan – a testament to Shetland’s seafaring spirit and its community resilience,” said the Swan Trust.
For all of the first week of May members of the public can book full and half day sailing trips online.
Fishing representatives brand fish-for-arms EU deal ‘absolutely ludicrous’
Fishing representatives have reacted with alarm to unconfirmed reports that the UK government is wagering access to British waters for an arms deal with the EU.
After months of unease, reports first emerged over the weekend that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was closing in on access to a €150 billion EU defence fund — in return, at least in part, for a more generous, multi-year access arrangement for European fishermen.
“If true, it is ludicrous that the UK government has caved in to French demands,” said Elspeth MacDonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishing Federation.
“Absolutely ludicrous indeed,” said the Shetland Fishermen’s Association.
The Cabinet Office did not confirm reports — published first by The Sun, latterly by The Times and other outlets — and restated instead that fish and defence are not linked in any negotiations.
“No agreements have been reached and we have always been clear we will protect the interests of our fisheries,” the government said in a statement.
“The upcoming UK-EU Summit will cover a range of issues as we look to build a stable and positive relationship that aligns with our national interest,” it added.
“The UK has long been a leader in the defence and security of the Continent and we stand ready to negotiate a security and defence partnership agreement with the EU.”
Britain’s existing EU fisheries arrangement expires this summer.
If reported details are to be believed, the current version of a deal would stretch over multiple years, unlike most quota which are re-evaluated annually.
“This craven capitulation will be deeply unpopular right across the country but particularly in our coastal and island communities which depend on the sea for their jobs and future prospects,” said Ms Elspeth.
Read the full story in this week’s issue of The Shetland Times, out Friday April 25th.
Welding work thought to have caused feed barge fire
A fire on a feed barge is thought to have been caused by welding work being carried out on board.
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Leask announces District Cup final squad
The ladies’ hockey squad representing Shetland at Sunday’s District Cup final has been announced.
Coach Derek Leask revealed the names of the 17-strong team who will travel to Glasgow for the highly-anticipated fixture.
The travelling squad includes: Megan Nicholson (Spurs), Megan Hibbert (Delting), Chiara MacColl (Delting), Lynsey Morrison (Spurs), Alexis Robertson (Delting), Rhiannon Inkster-Smith (Spurs), Sarah Williamson (Burra), Kristan Robertson (Burra), Cara Leask (Spurs), Rhea Nicolson (Burra), Aimee Keith (Zetland), Megan Grant (Zetland), Kayleigh Irvine (Zetland), Abbey Arthur (Whalsay), Laura Nicolson (Burra), Catherine Irvine (Whalsay) and Nicola Balfour (Delting).
Leask said: “Preparation has gone really well, with several valuable practice matches against the men’s team over the past few weeks. We’d like to thank them for their support – it’s been a massive help in getting us match-ready.
“We travel with cautious confidence and are looking forward to giving a strong account of ourselves on the day.”
The match kicks off at 12pm at the National Hockey Stadium, Glasgow Green. It will be professionally live-streamed with expert commentary, and full details for viewing can be found at: https://tv.scottish-hockey.org.uk.
The Noost Bar will also be hosting a watch party, screening the game live for supporters who’d like to gather and cheer the team on from home.
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Fire on feed barge at Lerwick’s Greenhead base
A fire broke out on board and unmanned feed barge at Lerwick’s Greenhead base.
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Rare warbler found in the UK for first time in over a decade in Whalsay
An eastern bonelli’s warbler has been found in Whalsay today (Saturday) — marking only the third time the species has been recorded in Shetland and an eighth record for Britain.
The warbler was discovered at the Skaw plantation by John Lowrie Irvine this afternoon.
The first Shetland record of the eastern bonelli’s warbler was recorded on 27th August 1998 outside the Sumburgh Hotel.
Another individual appeared in Scalloway from 10th-13th of October 2014, which had also been the last time it was recorded in the UK.
These birds originate from southeast Europe and Asia — primarily breeding in southwestern Turkey, southern Croatia, Albania, northern Greece and southern Romania.
POLL: Should those who don’t cancel unused ferry bookings be charged?
Calls have been made this week to penalise people who fail to cancel inter-island ferry sailings they have not turned up for.
An Unst resident told The Shetland Times she intends to move out of the island due to ongoing issues with the ferry service.
Among the problems she faced this week was being able to secure a booking back into Unst after travelling to Lerwick.
While she could get into town without difficulty on Tuesday morning, when she tried to book her return journey she was told all ferries to Unst were booked up until 4pm.
However, after arriving in Gutcher for an earlier ferry, she found there was only one car in the booked lane – and only three more joined it.
She believed this was due to people block-booking sailings and failing to cancel them when they were no longer needed – calling on those who fail to cancel their sailings to be penalised.
In this week’s Shetland Times
In today’s (Friday, 18th April) edition of The Shetland Times:
• EXCLUSIVE: Unst resident to leave island after becoming “sick to death” of ferry issues
• EXCLUSIVE: Steps taken to open up harbour to aquaculture
• FOCUS ON: Iconic sail training ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl
• BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Behind the scenes of Handmade Fish Co
• Viking Energy Windfarm receives one of the worst output rates in Britain
• Winner, runner-up and third place of The Shetland Times pet competition is unveiled
• SPORT: Victory for women’s football team in Orkney
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