Islanders are ‘forgotten and abandoned,’ report finds

People in the Highlands and Islands feel “abandoned and forgotten,” a new report into human rights in the area revealed.

Health, housing and hunger were the top priorities of where improvements could be made in the region.

The research was conducted by the Scottish Human Rights Commission, after visiting 20 communities and interviewing 146 people – including a short spell in the isles last year.

The author and project lead for the study, Dr Luis F Yanes said economic, social and cultural rights were an essential part of living a “dignified life,” however, people felt these had been infringed.

“Many people in the Highlands and Islands feel unheard, disenfranchised, abandoned, and forgotten, with their human rights concerns discarded or minimised,” Dr Yanes said.

It was the aim of the report to “enhance the voices” to demonstrate the urgent need to realise the human rights of everyone in the region.

To read more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s issue of The Shetland Times.

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High Court date set for man charged with woman’s murder in Sandness 

The man charged with the murder of a 24-year-old woman in Sandness is scheduled to appear at the High Court in Glasgow next week.

Tingwall Airport to close in May 2025

Tingwall Airport is scheduled to close for a month next May for resurfacing, councillors heard in a committee meeting Monday.

The move will mean inter-island flights will be directed through Sumburgh Airport.

Maintenance work at the airstrip was originally planned to finish at the end of March this year. During a meeting of the environment and transport  committee on Monday morning, however, councillors heard that project will now be completed by August 2026.

Tingwall Airport will only close for a month.

Brett backs energy transition away from oil and gas exploration

A former general election candidate for the SNP has spoken out against future oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.

Police stress ‘continued commitment’ to tackling drugs

Police have stressed their commitment to tackling the supply of illegal drugs after two couriers were handed lengthy prison sentences.

Tractor run to raise cash for Fishermen’s Mission

Kind-hearted farmers are ploughing ahead with plans for another charity tractor run.

Biltong expert due at beef event

Artisan butcher Jay Joubert will be a guest speaker at a Farm Advisory Service crofting cattle meeting, due to be held next weekend.

The driving force behind Shetland Biltong will provide a candid insight into Shetland’s meat supply chains.

Also appearing at the Skeld hall will be Lorna Shaw, a specialist ruminant nutritionist and a key member of the SAC national livestock team.

The cattle event will provide visitors the chance to visit a Culswick croft run by Sandy Fraser – and have a look at his 40-head herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus.

It is hoped the event will stimulate discussion on what works – and what needs to change – in order to shorten supply chains and work towards Shetland becoming more self-sufficient for beef.

The event is due to take place on 30th November. The invitation has been sent by Osla Jamwal-Fraser, of SAC Consulting.

• Read Osla Jamwal-Fraser’s views on the Whole Farm Plan and budget concerns in Landwise, featured in this week’s Shetland Times.

Single vessel for Fetlar and Unst in the New Year

Fetlar and Unst will have a single vessel for the first two weeks of 2025 due to “unplanned changes” in the dry-docking schedule.

Both the Geira and Fivla will need to remain in dry-dock after the festive season ends.

As a result, the ferry service will run to the Saturday timetable with bookings available.

Shetland Islands Council says the delays have been caused by earlier hold-ups in getting the Geira and Fivla into dry-dock, after problems with the Bigga’s gearbox.

Alternative options had been “explored”, including providing a shuttle service, but none of these options met the “varying requirements” for island communities.

Some extra crossings may be possible, during mandatory staff breaks, if additional crew are available.

These would be unbooked sailings, for crossings between Yell and Unst only, as the council says there is insufficient time to provide additional sailings to Fetlar.

Work continues on a longer-term timetable review for North Isles ferries, taking account of regulatory changes to the lashing arrangements for larger vehicles.

The council has apologised for any inconvenience caused.

POLL: Is the NorthLink ferry service in ‘crisis’?

NorthLink has rejected claims made by the Shetland Labour Party this week that its ferry service was in crisis.