Hjaltland unveils new homes in Walls
Hjaltland Housing Association has celebrated after completing four new homes in Walls.
Hjaltland Housing Association has celebrated after completing four new homes in Walls.
Fun activity sessions will be organised next week to mark the 20th anniversary of the active schools programme in Shetland. The council says staff and…
The Swan has made a welcome return to Scalloway after a brand new mast was fitted in Ullapool.
An eye-watering £20,000 of drugs has been seized by police in a matter of days, with Dogs Against Drugs central to the successful busts. Between…
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).
In today’s (Friday, 15th November) edition of The Shetland Times:
Grin and bear it: NHS dental patients de-registered
“Whatever the fire didn’t get, the smoke did,” flat blaze couple tell The Shetland Times
Fisherman attacked by “hissing” skate
Is PM Starmer a farmer harmer?
Sounding Off: Tom Morton on where the SIC is going wrong
SPORT: Interviews with Shetland Sports Awards winners
Click here to get The Shetland Times delivered to your device every Friday morning.
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.”
Ferries to and from Lerwick have been rescheduled tomorrow (Friday), in anticipation of rough weather.
The southbound service from Lerwick to Orkney and Aberdeen will leave at 3:30pm, two hours earlier than planned. It will arrive up to an hour late on the mainland.
The service up from Aberdeen, which was scheduled for 7pm, will now depart at 3pm.
That disruption will carry into the weekend, with Saturday’s ferry up arriving late, and the southbound departure to Aberdeen delayed two hours to 9pm.
Freight vessels have also have been rescheduled Friday and Saturday, NorthLink said.
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 …
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 …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND OUT MOREThe call of the running tide has greatly influenced Louis Johnson, his family and friends and is the common thread throughout this life story spanning almost 90 years from boyhood …
The call of the running tide has greatly influenced Louis Johnson, his family and friends and is the common thread throughout this life story spanning almost 90 years from boyhood …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND 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. …
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. …
FIND OUT MORELerwick born author and local historian, Douglas M. Sinclair, is well-known for his detailed and informative writing about Old Lerwick. In this publication however, he proves to be a witty …
Lerwick born author and local historian, Douglas M. Sinclair, is well-known for his detailed and informative writing about Old Lerwick. In this publication however, he proves to be a witty …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND OUT MOREGrottie-Buckie lives alone in his little old house with only the company of mouse Tirli-Wirli, with whom he shares his food and conversation. Tirli-Wirli feels sorry for Grottie-Buckie, who has …
Grottie-Buckie lives alone in his little old house with only the company of mouse Tirli-Wirli, with whom he shares his food and conversation. Tirli-Wirli feels sorry for Grottie-Buckie, who has …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND 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, …
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, …
FIND OUT MOREFollowing on from 1914 Peace and War. Extracts from the Shetland Times. Compiled by Gordon Johnston Paperback 236 pages …
Following on from 1914 Peace and War. Extracts from the Shetland Times. Compiled by Gordon Johnston Paperback 236 pages …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND OUT MOREJames Pottinger’s travels from his birthplace in a croft house in pre-war Burra have taken him full circle and he is “home” again, after a career in engineering, the merchant …
James Pottinger’s travels from his birthplace in a croft house in pre-war Burra have taken him full circle and he is “home” again, after a career in engineering, the merchant …
FIND OUT MOREAn 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.
Repairs to the historic Swan have been completed with the vessel and her crew now making their way home to the isles.
The sail training vessel had undergone repairs, with a new mast fitted and fully rigged.
Skipper Maggie Adamson announced this morning (Wednesday) the work had been completed, with the former herring fishing vessel out on the water yesterday.
“We’re ready to set off for home,” Ms Adamson said in a Facebook post.
The old mast was fitted during the restoration of the vessel between 1990 and 1996, so needed to be replaced.
A long-running group that supports stroke victims has marked its first 20 years. Shetland Stroke Support Group was established in 2004 to provide practical support…
Tomorrow’s southbound NorthLink sailing will leave Lerwick two hours earlier than scheduled. The ferry operator has advised customers of the move ahead of possible weather-related…
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.
A fisherman had to pull teeth out of his inflatable vessel after a skate bit his boat in six different places.
Paul Hutchison had been fishing in his Avon SR4 RIB boat on Saturday when he came across what he initially believed was a startled seal.
“I had moved inshore to catch a drift going north, so I wasn’t on the fishing ground, so I wasn’t fishing, I was sat having a cup of tea on the boat,” he said.
“Something splashed right at the side of the boat and I thought it would be a seal that’s come up and got a fright. It’s quite common for seals to come up beside you, not realise your a person on a boat and get spooked.”
However, the “seal” came up multiple times and bumped the bottom of the boat – after the fourth time it surfaced, Mr Hutchison heard a hissing sound and realised it was not a seal.
“I saw this kind of brown mottled colour, it was quite bizarre and I thought ‘I don’t know what it is’ so I started up the engine to make a bit of noise and banged on the boat a couple of times, but it was still coming up.
“I thought ‘I can’t go into gear and move away now because it comes near the engine I’m going to hurt it'”.
After it surfaced again, he realised it was a skate biting the vessel.
“I turned round and saw it biting the tubes of the boat. It let go and dived down, so I put the boat into gear and moved as quickly as I could.”
On his way back to shore, Mr Hutchison said the boat was “rapidly deflating” and by the time he reached the marina half the boat was deflated.
“I’ve got a bag of teeth I had to pull out the boat, they’re quite small but they’re absolutely razor sharp and when I looked at my boat when I got out the water I realised the skate had punctured it in six different places.”
The skate was believed to be the flapper skate – which is considered to be a critically endangered species.
Although the skate attacked his boat, Mr Hutchison stressed he did not want anyone to “go after it”.
Part-time Receptionist wanted for a busy Lerwick beauty salon. Three days a week. Must have an interest in beauty and excellent customer service skills.Please send…
Ground Security Barrier Operative Relief Can you work well as part of a team offering a warm welcome to our passengers and providing them with…
Female Ground Security Operative at Sumburgh Airport Full time – 40 hours per week Can you work well as part of a team offering a…
We have a number of vacancies for various hours at locations throughout Shetland. Jobs on offer this week include… Support Worker – ELC – Bell’s…
Are you based in Shetland? Do you have a passion for working with people? Jewson, a leading building materials distributor in Northern Europe, is on…
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.
Members of climate activism group, Shetland Stop Rosebank, joined a national demonstration in Edinburgh today (Tuesday), marking the beginning of a legal challenge against Rosebank oil field .
Drilling at Rosebank - slated as the UK’s largest untapped oil field 130 kilometres north-west of Shetland - was initially consented by regulators last September.
Since then, the Supreme Court ruled regulators must consider the environmental impact of projects holistically: in Rosebank’s case including not only drilling and extraction itself, but also the eventual combustion of the oil.
Environmental groups Greenpeace and Uplift have jointly asked the Court of Session in Edinburgh to revoke consent for Rosebank and the Jackdaw gas field near Aberdeen. That judicial review began today.
Sanjeev Prasad, 18, a medical student who grew up in Lerwick, attended a demonstration outside the court because he was worried about climate change.
“As a younger person, it’s my future,” Mr Prasad said.
“I’m from India, and I’ve seen how climate change can affects countries,” he added, from deadly flooding in Pakistan to Spain, more recently.
“Every time I go to Bangalore, which is the city I’m from, it’s hotter each year.”
Uplift and Greenpeace say the Rosebank oilfield will generate more CO2 than the 28 poorest countries in the world do each year.
Rosebank’s majority owners, Norway-based Equinor, say the development will support 2,000 jobs during its construction and more than 500 while it is operating.
Andrea Sanchez, a Bressay resident and climate activist, acknowledged the isles have a strong historical connection to oil and gas, but said it was important that locals also raised their voice in opposition.
“We are the closest to the oil field, and therefore it’s our voice that that matters the most,” Ms Sanchez said.
“There’s a lot of people here in Shetland that are in favour of oil and gas developments because we benefited a lot from from that in the past. However, there’s a few of us that are against [them] because we can see and we can understand the climate emergency.
“This doesn’t have implications just for Shetland or the marine area around Shetland, but it’s got implications for the whole world.”
Greens councillor Alex Armitage did not attend the protest, but said the legal challenge was an opportunity for the UK government to show “climate leadership globally,” just a few days before the start of COP29.
“Leaving Rosebank oil in the ground is Britain’s bargaining chip when we’re talking with other larger polluting countries,” Mr Armitage said. “They can see Britain as a climate hypocrisy while we continue to drill for oil.”
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.”
A sail trainee from Eshaness has been awarded the Vevoe Trophy for outstanding dedication throughout the season.
David Abernethy was presented the trophy – a replica of the Swan’s original wheel – along with a cold bronze casting of the Swan under sail, made by Terry Atkinson, Tingwall, which he is allowed to keep.
The skipper and the mate of the Swan decided that Mr Abernethy was the sail trainee of the year after careful thought.
The vessel’s first mate Scott Sandison said the winner had been a keen member of the crew during the tall ships despite being one of the youngest on board.
“Over the next few seasons David has volunteered to help with the maintenance arriving every morning keen to find out what the day’s work will be,” Mr Sandison said. “He has become a trusted volunteer crewmate and a joy to have aboard.”
Since 2011, The Swan Trust has awarded the Vevoe Trophy to their Sail Trainee of the year.
Commissioned by the Trust following a donation from the family of the late Willie Simpson, the Vevoe Trophy is named after the home of the Simpson family, Vevoe in Whalsay.
Willie o’Vevoe, as he was known, first went to the herring fishing in the early 1950s aboard the Swan, a vessel his family were closely involved with for over 50 years of her herring fishing career.
Coronation medals have been awarded to those with five years’ service with the Lerwick lifeboat. It follows a special event attended yesterday by Lord Lieutenant Lindsay Tulloch.
READ FULL STORYPolice are asking for information about a dangerous driving incident last month at Kergord Junction.
A silver SUV was seen on the A970 on Friday, 25th October, officers said on social media.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 with the reference 2943 of 25th October, 2024 .
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.
Tributes were paid to those who died in the First and Second World War at this morning’s Remembrance Sunday event in Lerwick.
Lord lieutenant Lindsay Tulloch, Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart and SIC convenor Andrea Manson led the laying of the wreaths at the County War Memorial.
This year marked 100 years since the memorial was unveiled in January 1924.
The memorial includes the names of 624 men who died in the First World War as well as 359 men who died in the Second World War.
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…
Beautifully converted church in the picturesque village of Walls, approximately 40 minutes drive from Lerwick. Spectacular open-plan living/dining/kitchen area featuring church windows and oak staircase to upper balcony. Overlooking the…
Marina with touring park incorporating an accessible facilities building with showers, toilets, laundry, kitchen, wi-fi, and waste disposal. Available to caravanners and visitors alike. Ideally situated as a base fo…
Hirnik B&B offers warm hospitality and is located in a picturesque rural area with stunning coastal scenery nearby. Being only 5 miles from Lerwick, it is in an ideal central…
Fisher's Croft: A stone-built renovated former but and ben in the fishing village of Hamnavoe. It now provides quality self-catering accommodation with spectacular views to the Lighthouse and stunning sunsets…
Quiet, safe and friendly community site on the waterfront. Great amenity building with showers, toilets, kitchen and laundry. Wonderful views. Nature hide for spotting birds, otters and seals. Shellfish landed…
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 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.
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.
A massive night in the Shetland sporting calendar was celebrated last night (Friday).
Sportsperson of the year was Andrew Goodlad, with young sportsperson going to Danielle Witt.
Team of the year was Shetland men’s rugby, with young team being Lerwick Rangers U14s.
Volunteer of the year was Babs Ross.
Coach of the year was Brian Chittick and Neil Murray.
The inclusivity award went to Delting Football Club.
Lifetime endeavour award was won by Dougie Grant.
Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.