Council leader wins top award

Council leader Emma Macdonald has won the Cllr Awards Scotland Leader of the Year.

Mrs Macdonald was one of 44 councillors who were nominated to be at the event in the Edinburgh City Chambers last night (Thursday).

Isles MP warns NHS will go into ‘reverse’

NHS services risk going backwards, the isles MP warned if the National Insurance contribution increase is not offset for GPs and other care providers.

Speaking during an Urgent Question in parliament, Alistair Carmichael referenced discussions with GPs in the isles who are reducing recruitment as a result of the tax increase.

The government has provided the NHS as a whole an increase in funding to cover the increased tax, but this does not apply to GPs, who are considered to be private operators despite working for the public sector.

The Liberal Democrat agreed with the government that it should do what it can to prevent the vital health service from “going into reverse” but that was exactly what it risked doing.

“I met with [a GP] on Friday who told me that as a consequence of having to find extra National Insurance contributions, they won’t now be able to make a support post permanent, which was on a temporary contract, and they won’t proceed with the recruitment of the extra GP that they were wanting to take on,” Mr Carmichael said.

Something had to give, he added, as GPs would be eligible for employment allowance as private contractors but are unable to as they work entirely in the public sector.

Minister for health Karin Smyth said it was a “complex” situation that GPs found themselves in.

“We absolutely understand the precariousness of primary care, they are crucial to our plans for developing the health service, and we will be discussing with them in the normal process about the allocations for the following year,” she said.

After the exchange, Mr Carmichael said that GPs and care providers were now making cutbacks because of uncertainty.

“That will inevitably have an effect on the health services on which we all rely,” he said.

“The government must give more clarity on their plans as soon as possible – and confirm that they will offset the increased NICs cost for GPs and care homes.”

Bring back shared cabins, MSP says

An MSP has called on Serco NorthLink to reintroduce shared cabins on its ferry services.

SNP elected member Emma Roddick has urged the company’s managing director Stuart Garrett to do everything in his power to bring back the policy.

For those ferrying between Aberdeen and Lerwick, it is an “accessible” way to travel, according to the list politician.

She was “completely unclear” why they had not been reinstated after the pandemic.

“Numerous constituents have contacted my office, expressing their disappointment and concern over the continued absence of what was a popular and cost-effective option for travellers,” Ms Roddick said. 

It was clear that the ferry operator had been facing capacity issues, she said, but added this had caused “significant inconvenience” to passengers.

Ms Roddick added: “The lack of affordable cabin space directly impacts constituents’ ability to book travel at times that best suit their needs. This, in turn, restricts their access to essential services, employment and education.”

Allowing shared cabins to be booked would help address capacity challenges and provide a “comfortable and affordable” travel option.

Lerwick Dental Practice to deregister NHS patients 

NHS Shetland has confirmed Lerwick Dental Practice will deregister NHS patients.

The health board said it had become aware of Lerwick Dental Practice’s decision to deregister some of its NHS patients.

“As independent dental practices operate as private businesses, they have the freedom to make decisions about service delivery, including whether they treat patients under NHS regulations and on registering or de-registering NHS patients, which may not involve prior consultation. Unfortunately, NHS Boards are unable to control these decisions,” the health board said in a statement.

NHS Shetland Public Dental Service (PDS) is currently working at almost 50 per cent less capacity than the pre-covid workforce levels, but over 70 per cent of the Shetland population registered with the service.

As a result, the PDS is only able to provide an emergency/non-routine service for the patients de-registered by Lerwick Dental Practice.

Frankie’s win national award

Frankie’s Fish and Chips shop in Brae has won a national award.

They were named Best Chip Shop (North) at the Scottish Fish and Chip Awards atthe Double Tree by Hilton in Glasgow on Monday night.

The chippy was also highly recommended in the best dine-in restaurant and best fish supper (north) categories.

The team at Frankie’s celebrated their win on Facebook, saying: “Huge thank you to our amazing team and customers.”

The business was launched in 2008. It was taken over in 2020 by Corinna and Mark Hoseason.

Airport passengers gain access to quiet room 

Passengers travelling through Sumburgh Airport can now take advantage of a new quiet space, called the West Voe Quiet Room.

Located in the departure lounge, the room is the result of a collaboration between the airport team and members of the Airport Accessibility Group (AAG). 

The room was named after the West Voe beach as it sits close to the airport and  features as a print on one of the walls of the room.

Shetland Sands chairwoman Marie Pottinger said the room would provide privacy to those experiencing baby loss.

“If a parent who is travelling to Aberdeen regarding the loss of their baby is required to travel on a commercial flight rather than Air Ambulance, this room will allow them to have space and privacy from the public before boarding,” she said.

Ability Shetland team manager Stephanie Bain said the room would also prove beneficial to those who experience sensory overload.

“This room is a really important addition to the airport, for residents and visitors alike to Shetland as airports can be quite overwhelming for some people with loud noises, bright lights, and bustling crowds.

“By providing this dedicated space, Sumburgh Airport are promoting inclusivity and supporting disabled individuals and their carers to travel more comfortably and confidently so we are very welcoming of this addition by HIAL.”

Lerwick Brewery unveils ambitious national targets

Lerwick Brewery plans to increase its mainland UK sales by 500 per cent within the next three years.

The ambitious growth strategy will see the craft brewery launch a robust marketing campaign and seek prominent listings in major UK supermarkets, capitalising on a burgeoning interest in Shetland and its unique craft beers.

Despite operating in a crowded craft beer market that was “badly impacted” by successive pandemic lockdowns, the company is “confident” it will be able to reach £1million in sales by 2027.

The brewery has celebrated a rise in its visitors – with brewery tour attendance doubling in the past year.

Head brewer Jonny Sandison said. “The success we have achieved so far has been pleasing, but we feel we are only scratching the surface.

“We make high quality beers and so and we were always confident that they would find a market.”

Read the full story in next week’s Shetland Times.

WATCH: Dozens of orcas hunt east of Mousa

Dozens of orcas were spotted spy-hopping and spraying out their blowholes east of Mousa.

The orcas surrounded both sides of Whalsay pelagic vessel Zephyr.

Fisherman John Lowrie who captured both day and night-time footage said there could have been anywhere from 50 to 100 orcas alongside the vessel.

The Zephyr are set to conclude the mackerel season today (Sunday) before returning to the sea in the New Year.

Shetland Library receives national award

Shetland Library scooped a top national award in Edinburgh on Friday.

The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) annually celebrates the achievements of libraries across the country.

In the awards fourth year, Shetland Library won the Library Service Excellence Award after being recognised for its commitment to maintaining the service as a relevant, modern resource for folk of all ages.

Read the full story in next week’s Shetland Times.

Skipper retires after 64 years at sea

A Whalsay fisherman has reflected on his lifetime at sea as he retires after almost six and a half decades.

Davie Hutchison, 79, known locally as “Davie A Skaw”, had been skipper of the 75-metre pelagic trawler Charisma.

He has now called time on his career after 64 years.

Mr Hutchison’s first job at the fishing was in 1960 on the 53-feet seine-net vessel Brighter Morn where he worked as the cook.

“I was 15 and one month when I went off to the fishing – the Brighter Morn was one of the peerier boats,” he told The Shetland Times.

“It was normal for folk at that age to be a cook for a year or two. I don’t know what like my cooking was but it didn’t kill them anyway,” he joked.

Throughout his career, Mr Hutchison witnessed countless changes to the industry – including the introduction of radars.

“Radars came aboard the boats twarry year after I started. That was before I was in the wheelhouse. I don’t know how the older ones managed to get up and down Yell Sound and places like that, but they did manage somehow or another.

“There’s been a lot of changes when you see the boats there is now. It’s a job keeping up with it all when you get to my age.

“I can’t see there being as many changes in the next 60-odd year, but I suppose you never know.”

The introduction of the first pelagic vessels was a significant gamble, with paying back loans serving as the greatest pressure of all.

“We weren’t that confident about it,” he said. “It was tough going for a few years. It wasn’t just a case of getting the boat and making money. The hardest bit was paying it back.”

Read the full story in yesterday’s Shetland Times.