The Shetland Times Live

Man appears in court accused of driving while more than five times over the limit

March 17, 2025 | 11.36am

A 37-year-old man has appeared in court charged with driving while more than five times over the legal limit.

Murray Mannall, of Gremmasgaet, Lerwick, appeared in the town’s sheriff court this morning.

Mannal is accused of driving in Gremista Brae with 129 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath yesterday (Sunday). The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.

The case has been continued without plea, until Mannall can seek legal advice.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank granted bail but demanded the seizure of the car and has restricted Mannall from driving in the meantime.

UPDATE: Crew ‘safe and well’ after vessel ran aground

March 17, 2025 | 10.54am

Emergency services have confirmed a vessel ran aground this morning near Lunna Holm. 

The coastguard confirmed it received a call at 9.05am this morning (Monday) – with the vessel in “some difficulty”.

Two coastguard rescue teams were called out to the vessel which “re-floated” and the two people on board made it to Vidlin “safe and well” at 10.45am. 

Subscribe
Subscription image

Subscribe to Our Print and Digital Editions

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Already a subscriber?
Log in below.

Marjolein Robertson makes shortlist for Glasgow award

March 16, 2025 | 3.11pm

Isles comedian Marjolein Robertson has been nominated for the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow award.

Robertson made the seven-person shortlist which was announced on Thursday.

An “overwhelmed” Robertson took to social media to share her delight, claiming the Big Yin was the “father of storytelling comedy”.

“He’s my greatest inspiration,” she said. “So to be included in this makes me feel like leaving Shetland to pursue comedy and bring my home’s folktales to the stage was the right choice.”

The award was founded in 2023, when Janey Godley was named the inaugural winner.

Robertson could make it a hattrick of winners for the ladies, after Glaswegian Susie McCabe took home the award last year.

According to the award itself, to be eligible for the award, a comedian must take part in the Glasgow International Comedy Festival (GICF), as well as five other considerations:

  • Resilient — Be as warm as they are tough.
  • Open — Accessible to all.
  • Unapologetic — Proud and unpretentious; curious and challenging; mould-breaking.
  • Gallus — Bold and brave; self-starting.
  • Funny — Above all else, an ability to make people laugh.

The winner will be announced at the GICF Comedy Gala on Sunday 30th March in the city’s King’s Theatre.

VIEW ALL

Guizer Jarl visits Cunningsburgh primary

March 14, 2025 | 12.15pm

Guizer Jarl Michael Farmer was welcomed to his old stomping ground by bairns and teachers at Cunningsburgh Primary School.

This is part of his visitations before the light up and burning this evening.

Headmaster Mervyn Clark made a roll call of past pupils who are part of today’s festivities.

The Up-Helly-A’ Song was sung followed by the Beatles’ Help by the Jarl squad. Primaries one and two had written a special version of Oasis’ Wonderwall called “Wonder Jarl”.

At dinner time, the Guizer Jarl and his squad are due to have their official pictures taken at Sumburgh Hotel before going to Dunrossness Primary School.

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

Click here to get The Shetland Times delivered to your device every Friday morning.

VIEW ALL
  • New Trustees with Shetland Charitable Trust
    FULL TIME

    New Trustees with Shetland Charitable Trust

    We are looking for enterprising and upbeat individuals to join Shetland Charitable Trust as volunteer trustees.Over the years SCT has disbursed more than £350 million…

    March 14, 2025 | 6.00am
  • Assistant Operations Manager with Shetland Seafood Auctions
    FULL TIME

    Assistant Operations Manager with Shetland Seafood Auctions

    Permanent Contract Closing date: Monday 24th March 2025 Location: Lerwick and Scalloway Fish Markets Hours: Full Time Position (8am start Mon-Fri, flexible hours available) We are…

    March 14, 2025 | 6.00am
  • Production Operatives Required with Shetland Seafood Exports
    FULL TIME

    Production Operatives Required with Shetland Seafood Exports

    Shetland Seafood Exports Ltd is a newly established seafood processing company located in Heylor, Northmavine. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality seafood products to our…

    March 14, 2025 | 6.00am
  • Development Officer with Who Cares Scotland
    FULL TIME

    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…

    March 14, 2025 | 6.00am
  • Various vacancies with Johnson Transport
    FULL TIME

    Various vacancies with Johnson Transport

    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…

    March 14, 2025 | 6.00am
  • Administration/Accounts Assistant with Irvine Enterprises Shetland
    FULL TIME

    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…

    March 14, 2025 | 6.00am

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

Your Customers Could Be Watching

Advertise With Us

Attract new customers and gain more business
Share Image
Logo

Share Your Photos, Videos and Stories With Us

VIEW ALL
  • 36 St Olaf Street
    Self Catering
    Lerwick & Gulberwick From £120 - £220 p/n

    36 St Olaf Street

    Centrally situated, spacious, semi-detached period house. Fully equipped with four bedrooms including three king-size bedded rooms and one twin-bedded room. It is decorated and furnished to a very high standard…

  • Almira
    Self Catering
    North Mainland From £200 p/n

    Almira

    Large 4 bedroom detached house with private parking. Sleeps 10, cot and high chair available. Quiet and peaceful location with stunning views. Conveniently located for all amenities. Free Wifi. Ideal…

  • Bridge End Outdoor Centre - Caravan and Camp Site
    Caravan & Camping
    Central Mainland From £10 - £20 p/n

    Bridge End Outdoor Centre - Caravan and Camp Site

    The Caravan & Camp Site at the Bridge End Outdoor Centre is the perfect place to stop by on your tour around Shetland. The touring pitches are suitable for caravans…

  • Harbour Penthouse
    Self Catering
    Lerwick & Gulberwick From £120 - £140 p/n

    Harbour Penthouse

    Superb, central penthouse apartment with outstanding views over Lerwick Harbour. A short stroll from all local amenities and Lerwick's business centre – a truly excellent base for discovering Shetland. Luxurious,…

  • Quam B&B
    B&B / Guest House
    Yell From £65 p/n

    Quam B&B

    A warm, friendly welcome, quiet location, near loch and beautiful award-winning beach. Great for walks. Ideal for seals, otters and bird watching. Six miles from Ulsta ferry, 5 miles to…

  • Unst Accommodation
    Self Catering
    Unst

    Unst Accommodation

    Three self-catering houses sleeping up to 8 people in each. Fully equipped with all you need for a comfortable stay in Britain's most northerly island of Unst. Located in Baltasound,…

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.


logo

Get Latest News in Your Inbox

Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.