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In this week’s Shetland Times

March 14, 2025 | 7.00am

In today’s (Friday, 14th March) edition of The Shetland Times:

• EXCLUSIVE: Lifesaving letters highlighted by Viking Genes volunteers

• EXCLUSIVE: New figures reveal sick days on ferries

• EXCLUSIVE: New energy park could be bigger than Sullom Voe

• EXCLUSIVE: Dunter damage dearer than thought

• EXCLUSIVE: Lace knitting word makes it into Oxford English Dictionary

• EXCLUSIVE: China’s star teacher ‘honoured’ by recognition

• See full coverage of all the latest energy news in two pages of Energy Zone

• Bressay Up-Helly-A’ report and pictures

• Catch our reviews from the Shetland Drama Festival

• SPORT: Persistence pays off for hockey players

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KT Tunstall rocks necklace made by isles jeweller 

March 13, 2025 | 10.00am

An isles jeweller was “really blyde” after an international superstar wore one of her creations on The One Show.

Edinburgh singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, known for hits like Suddenly I See, wore a necklace made by isles jeweller Karlin Anderson on the BBC programme on Tuesday evening.

Karlin Anderson and KT Tunstall. 
Karlin Anderson and KT Tunstall. 

“I was really blyde to get a message from KT Tunstall yesterday saying she was wearing my Flight Necklace on The One Show,” Ms Anderson told The Shetland Times.

The necklace is part of Ms Anderson’s Wings Collection – inspired by the idea of finding “strength and hope” in difficult times.

Ms Anderson said she has always had a “huge amount of respect” for Ms Tunstall both as an artist and as a person.

“She’s been doing her thing for years and is absolutely brilliant at it.

“She’s a strong woman and a fantastic advocate for others, always championing those coming up behind her.”

Read the full story in tomorrow’s Shetland Times

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  • New Trustees with Shetland Charitable Trust
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  • Assistant Operations Manager with Shetland Seafood Auctions
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  • Development Officer with Who Cares Scotland
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    Development Officer with Who Cares Scotland

    WCS are seeking empathetic and compassionate individuals to listen to and work directly with children and young people with experience of care across Shetland. DEVELOPMENT…

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  • Various vacancies with Johnson Transport
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    Requires: A Part or Full Time PSV Driver  Duties can include local schools, private contracts, cruise ships, and varied tour work within Shetland.A full Cat D bus…

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  • Administration/Accounts Assistant with Irvine Enterprises Shetland
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    Administration/Accounts Assistant with Irvine Enterprises Shetland

    IRVINE ENTERPRISES SHETLAND LIMITED Administration/Accounts Assistant We are looking for a self-motivated, mature minded person to deal with the day to day administration and accounting…

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New Opportune plans to pair-trawl and land south

March 12, 2025 | 10.38am

The whitefish trawler Opportune arrived back in Shetland on Saturday, but not for long.

Unabashed by sinking this time last year, skipper Ross Christie and crew have rigged up their new boat for computer-operated pair trawling – a more efficient, but riskier setup in rough weather.

The set-up will also see the Burra boat landing most of her fish on the mainland with Fraserburgh-registered partner boat Helenus.

“It’s not been a big celebration; it’s just getting the families together,” said engineer and assistant Sam Young from a berth in Scalloway on Saturday afternoon.

A downturn in fish landings at Scalloway last year was partly credited to losing the Opportune after she sank suddenly in March.

Pair-trawling works by pulling a single trawl net behind two boats at once – saving fuel for both crews, which then split the catch.

“It’s easier on the boat, easier on the kit, easier on the hydraulics,” Mr Young said.

The set up also comes with the risk that either boat might career into the other, particularly in poor weather.

The Opportune sailed back south yesterday to be fitted with “pair link”, a computer system which allows a skipper on one boat to oversee and partly take control of the other in an emergency.

The new vessel is also slightly smaller, with a “modernised” helm and fresh, black and white paint job.

Read the full story in this week’s issue of The Shetland Times, out Friday 14th March.

NorthLink back down to one passenger ferry

March 11, 2025 | 1.13pm

The NorthLink passenger service between Shetland and Aberdeen is back down to one vessel again – with the Hrossey now in dry dock for her annual maintenance.

The lifeline service was hampered in recent weeks after the Hjaltland failed to return on time from her period in dry dock.

The Hjaltland suffered a flooded pump room as she was being prepared to leave dry dock on 21st February. That is now a matter of an inquiry.

She only returned to service on Saturday, although her sailing north from Aberdeen was delayed by several hours.

With the Hjaltland back doing her normal sailings, the Hrossey has been able to go to dry dock today (Tuesday) as part of her annual maintenance.

Both ferries are scheduled be sailing to full service on Monday 24th March.

The Hjaltland sails from Aberdeen to Lerwick this evening.

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SIC marks Commonwealth Day

March 10, 2025 | 5.01pm

Shetland Islands Council flew a flag at Lerwick Town Hall today (Monday) to mark Commonwealth Day.

The event marked across the Commonwealth with activities taking place throughout the month, including school assemblies, debates, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural celebrations. 

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the executive arm of the association.

Conservation sessions planned

March 10, 2025 | 4.11pm

People are being given the opportunity to comment on proposals relating to three conservation areas – two in Lerwick and one in Scalloway.

The Lerwick Lanes conservation area was designated in 1975, recognising its waterfront setting, unusual town plan and notable buildings. 

A nearby New Town Conservation Area – designated in 1986 – lies west of Lerwick Town Centre, and includes the mainly residential areas of King Harald Street, St Olaf Street and Burgh Road.  

Scalloway Conservation Area was designated in 1982 in recognition of its harbour setting and buildings worthy of preservation.  

Shetland Islands Council carried out appraisals of the three conservation areas in 2010.

Now, a review has been undertaken to ensure that these three appraisals reflect any changes.

While the appraisals have found relatively little change in the character and appearance of the conservation areas, the SIC says there has been a noticeable deterioration in the overall maintenance and repair to buildings in all three areas.

It has also highlighted a notable increase the use of “inappropriate” modern details and materials, such as replacement windows and doors. 

No boundary changes are being proposed. But the SIC proposals are being made to review permitted development rights to reflect legislation and policy. 

Permitted development rights include certain building works that might not need planning permission, such as minor extensions, or the construction of fences or walls. 

There are also proposals to give consideration to the introduction of areas of special advertising control to ensure that advertisements are in keeping with the character and appearance of the area.

In addition, it is proposed to create guidance on a range of relevant topics, such as the repair and maintenance of traditional buildings, shopfront and advertisement design and the use of paint or limewash finishes.

The month-long public consultation period launches today.  

The appraisals and further information can be viewed on the council website at  www.shetland.gov.uk/planning-building/conservation-area-reviews

There will be public drop-in sessions with details of proposals at:

• Islesburgh Community Centre on Monday 24th March.

• Scalloway Youth Centre on Monday 31st March.

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Haar sauna wins another national award

March 9, 2025 | 2.49pm

The company behind wild saunas in St Ninians and Brae won a Scottish business award at a ceremony on Thursday evening.

Scottish EDGE, an entrepreneurial competition sponsored by Highland and Islands Enterprise, gave Haar sauna first place after they were made semi-finalists last year.

“We will be using the award to turn up the heat across Shetland and the HIE region some more,” wrote co-founded Hannah Mary Goodlad. “[We] have some exciting plans!”

Last year Haar was also voted the UK’s best nature sauna at the 2024 sauna summit awards.

IN PICTURES: Bressay Up-Helly-A’

March 9, 2025 | 12.22pm

After a quick invasion of Lerwick, Friday evening brought the fires of Up-Helly-A’ to Bressay, as captured by the photographs of arts and entertainment reporter Stephen Gordon.

See more pictures, and read the full report in next week’s edition of The Shetland Times, out Friday 14th March.


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