Tuesday’s sailings not cancelled, just delayed, says Northlink
Both north and southbound ferries between Lerwick and Aberdeen this evening (Tuesday) will depart off-schedule and not stop in Orkney because of rough weather. The southbound…
The Shetland Times Live
Road crash at Brig o’ Fitch
A road accident took place outside Lerwick this afternoon.
The incident, involving a car and a lorry, happened at the Brig o’ Fitch.
The road remained passable, but with long queues.
Big smiles after big skate catch
It’s an impressive catch by anyone’s standards, and for fishing enthusiast Kieran Llewellyn there was plenty of reason to smile behind such an impressive haul.
Kieran caught this large skate, weighing an estimated 45 to 50lbs.
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Todd takes podium finish in Glasgow
An isles athlete has taken a podium finish – and set a new Shetland record – at the Scottish Athletics Indoor championships.
Layla Todd took bronze in the U20 women’s 3,000 race on Saturday afternoon, setting a huge 17-second PB in the process.
The achievement comes as a new Shetland record of 9:52:31, and represents a great start to the year for the young athlete.
Todd has thanked NorthLink Ferries, sportscotland and Shetland Islands Council for their support.
Yellow warning for ice issued
The MET Office has issued a fresh warning for ice, as the winter blast continues to grip the isles.
The yellow warning is valid from 4pm today until 10am tomorrow.
It follows heavy snow falls and sub-zero temperatures.
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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Weather disruption to rubbish collections
Wintry weather has hampered council waste service collections in the isles.
Waste service teams have not been able to collect grey-lidded recycling bins in the South, North and West Mainland.
This has also affected the pickup of household waste bins in some side roads.
Attempts will be made to collect household rubbish in Lerwick and Scalloway tomorrow, weather permitting.
The service will return to normal on Monday. But grey-lidded bins will not now be picked up until the next scheduled date.
The SIC has apologised for the disruption.
WATCH: Big otter makes appearance
It may be too cold for many of us to venture outside, but this hardy otter was not to be put off.
The big draatsie was spotted making its way from The Shetland Times carpark this morning (Friday).
Meanwhile, anyone looking to travel by inter-island ferry might be advised to check before setting off.
Advice on the Yell Sound information line advises of a single vessel operating this morning until further notice.
The advisor even goes as far as to discourage anyone from leaving their house, advising folk to “sit at home with the fluffy slippers on and a sweet sherry”.
Royal Mail suspends postal service outside of Lerwick
Royal Mail has suspended deliveries to rural areas due to snow and ice.
The decision has left homes outside Lerwick without mail deliveries, and country shops are also without the latest edition of The Shetland Times. The paper is normally delivered to rural shops by Royal Mail.
Deliveries are expected to resume tomorrow, weather pemitting. However, a new yellow weather warning has been issued from 4pm today until 10am tomorrow.
The Shetland Times remains available in Lerwick shops. Shetland Times staff made deliveries in the town this morning.
Anyone in Lerwick with a subscription for The Shetland Times will receive their delivery today, but anyone outside Lerwick will unfortunately not.
A free calendar is included in The Shetland Times.
Royal Mail said it thanked customers for patience and understanding during this disruption to its service.
“Once the weather clears, we will ensure deliveries recommence when and where it is safe to do,” it said.
Snow and ice grip isles
Icy conditions are gripping the isles this morning, as a wintry blast impacts on travel.
It comes after a Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice was issued yesterday.
Temperatures have reached as low as -2.4C, with a wind chill of -8C.
There have been further snow showers overnight, causing travel difficulty for many.
A gritter reportedly left the road this morning in an area near Gonfirth.
SHETLAND JOBS
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In this week’s Shetland Times
In today’s (Friday, 3rd January) edition of The Shetland Times:
- First tunnel could be built this decade, says councillor.
- New Year’s Honours List features five.
- EXCLUSIVE: Massive hike in coastguard calls to outer isles revealed.
- Tributes paid to well-respected marine scientist.
- Second part of Review of the Year.
- INSIDE: The Shetland Times 2025 calendar.
‘Bombshell’ revelation shows ministers overruled NorthLink to force through 10 per cent fare hike
Ministers overruled NorthLink to demand a 10 per cent ferry fare hike – according to a “bombshell” revelation.
READ FULL STORY
Mirrie Dancers create epic New Year display
The Mirrie Dancers have been out in full force this evening (Wednesday) – creating a breath-taking start to 2025.
Folk across the isles have been sharing epic images of the display with colours ranging from green to pink, purple and red.
Among those to capture it was Vicky Tylsar who photographed the dazzling sky in Toab.
Did you see the Northern Lights? Send us your photos by emailing [email protected]
Happy New Year
Here’s wishing everyone all the very best for 2025.
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New Year celebrations cancelled due to weather
Hogmanay celebrations have been cancelled due to “worsening weather”.
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UHI Shetland staff ‘devastated’ after death of ‘kind and sincere’ colleague
UHI Shetland has paid tributes to a “kind and sincere” colleague who has died aged 58.
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Organisers cancel torchlit Hogmanay procession
The Hogmanay torchlight procession was cancelled due to risk to public safety.
Organisers decided to pull the event, due to be held yesterday (Sunday), because of a forecast of high winds.
Edinburgh Hogmanay said in a statement the safety of everyone attending was paramount.
“The safety of all attending is our top priority and following recent torch tests on the route, the winds are proving too strong to proceed safely,” it said.
“We know that this will be hugely disappointing to all who wished to participate… the box office will be in touch with further instructions to ticket buyers.”
Lifeboat launched amid report of ‘fault’ with aircraft
The lifeboat has been launched this morning following a report of a “fault” with a helicoper trying to land at Sumburgh Airport.
The coastguard confirmed it received the call at 9.10am this morning (Monday) and tasked Lerwick Lifeboat with attending this incident.
Police, ambulances and fire crews from Sumburgh, Sandwick and Lerwick were also called to the scene around 9am.
It is understood the aircraft has since landed safely.
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Body found in water believed to be missing man Ian Napier
A body found in the water in the South Mainland is believed to be Ian Napier, who was reported missing yesterday..
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NorthLink sailings to go ahead but passengers warned to expect delays
NorthLink has confirmed tonight’s (Saturday) northbound sailing to Lerwick will go ahead after it was placed under review yesterday.
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UPDATE: Concern growing for missing swimmer who is UHI Shetland senior fisheries policy adviser
Police are growing increasingly concerned for a missing swimmer.
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Search launched for missing man believed to have gone swimming in South Mainland
Rescue teams will resume their search this morning for a missing man.
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