Museum cafe closes
The museum cafe is closing due to staff shortages, Shetland Amenity Trust has announced. Hay’s Dock by the Dowry – operated by Beervana Ltd –…
The Shetland Times Live
NorthLink issues ferry delay warning
Passengers sailing north to Lerwick this evening (Wednesday) are expected to be delayed on arrival into the town by up to two hours.
Serco NorthLink issued the warning today, as forecast adverse weather may disrupt travel.
Hrossey’s departure from Aberdeen remains at 7pm as scheduled.
Weather latest
The council has advised some schools will remain closed today, while there is also disruption to school bus services.
Aith Junior High School and Happyhansel Primary School are closed, although all other schools are remaining open.
There are some cancellations to school transport in the North and West Mainland. Parents are asked to check the school bus voicebank for the latest transport updates on 01595 745743.
The public bus voicebank also has the latest on public bus services on 01595 745744.
Parents and carers should make decisions about whether it is safe to travel, based on local road conditions and the distance to school.
The Met Office has a yellow warning of snow and Ice for the North of Scotland, including Shetland, which is valid until 10am.
Conditions will remain cold and wintry across Shetland for the next couple of days.
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Second Brae High School event to take place
A second drop-in event will take place at Brae High School next week ahead of a formal planning application for its replacement.
This follows an earlier event in September, which asked for the public’s views and would help shape the emerging design proposals.
Brae High School will again host the session on Tuesday 26th November between 3.30pm and 7.30pm.
Anyone with an interest is invited to attend to view and comment on the early building designs and site layout.
There is also an online option for anyone to respond if they are unable to attend events in person.
‘Words fail me’ – town and country clash over plans to give Lerwick more cash
Town and country representatives clashed over proposals to award more funding to Lerwick Community Council.
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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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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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Call of the Running Tide
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 …
£12.99FIND 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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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Knitting By the Fireside and on the Hillside
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From Honky-Tonks to Helicopters
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Two graduation ceremonies to take place
UHI Shetland will host two graduation ceremonies for the first time this year.
Organisers say unprecedented numbers of graduates are due to be presented with their hard-earned qualifications on 6th December.
But Mareel offers insufficient seating to accommodate all graduates and guests in a single ceremony.
Professor Derek McGhee, Dean of Research and Innovation at the University of the Highlands and Islands, will be joining UHI Shetland staff and students to celebrate their achievements.
Former director of children’s services, Helen Budge, will be guest speaker.
Keith Massey, graduate and recipient of a “New Graduate Award” from the Society of Scottish Artists, will deliver a speech reflecting on his learning journey.
Almost 200 pupils were absent for most of a school term
The number of pupils failing to achieve at least 80 per cent school attendance increased to almost 200 last year.
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Stroke support group marks first 20 years
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…
NorthLink warns of ferry disruption
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…
Inspectors find teaching and learning to be ‘weak’ at Brae school
Inspectors found learning, teaching and assessment at Brae school to be “weak”.
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‘Crisis’ at NorthLink, Labour warns
A crisis is brewing aboard NorthLink’s ferries, the Labour party’s Shetland branch has warned.
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Polar cruise ship cancels her maiden Lerwick call due to weather
The final cruise ship visit of the season has been cancelled due to weather – despite her credentials as a luxury polar exploration ship.
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Tourist centre closes for final time today as future of building remains unclear
The Lerwick tourist centre officially closes today (Monday) for the final time.
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Horrible weather proves to be photographer’s delight
Stormy weather has brewed chaos for many in the last few days, with travel disrupted on both inter-island and NorthLink ferries.
Photographer Richard Ashbee however, managed to capture the beauty of the conditions at St Ninian’s Isle yesterday (Saturday) regardless of the harsh weather.
Have you snapped any wonderful pictures over the weekend? Please send them to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk.
NorthLink warns passengers of disruption
Passengers can expect delays of up to two hours to arrivals on board both NorthLink ferries tomorrow (Sunday).
Adverse weather has forced the operator to warn customers of the longer sailings before arriving at the terminals in both Lerwick and Aberdeen.
Both the northbound and southbound journeys are believed to be affected by conditions, with a 90 per cent chance of rain and winds as high as 53 mph overnight.
The southbound Hjlatland will depart the town as scheduled at 7pm tonight, with the northbound Hrossey expected to leave the Granite City at 5pm.
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Weather halts some ferry services
Some inter-island ferries have stopped for the night due to high winds.
Sailings on the Yell Sound, Whalsay and Skerries have already ended, with the last trip on the Bluemull Sound due to return at 9.10pm.
The Met Office has forecast a blustery night with winds as high as 69mph.
However, the Bressay ferry is currently running to schedule.
Picture perfect: Sports Awards photographer shares snaps
The Shetland Sports Awards was a great success, with plenty of people getting in on the fun with the selfie frame.
Photographer Brian Gray has shared a selection from the event last Friday.
For full coverage of the Shetland Sports Awards pick up the latest issue of The Shetland Times.
Hjaltland unveils new homes in Walls
Hjaltland Housing Association has celebrated after completing four new homes in Walls.
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Active schools celebrates 20th anniversary
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 volunteers have worked with many local sports clubs, schools, parents and community groups in the last two decades to deliver sport and physical activity opportunities.
These have included extra-curricular activities, school competitions and summer programmes, giving young people the chance to be active and to get involved.
Activities on offer next week are mainly aimed at primary-aged pupils, including some family sessions, and will vary across locations and by age groups.
The range of activities will include badminton, hockey, netball, pickleball, table tennis, fencing, boccia and more.
Information about these sessions is being sent out by schools, directly to parents and guardians.
Active schools manager Louise Jamieson, who also marks 20 years of working in active schools, said: “I’m proud of the impact that the active schools team has had in our local communities over the last 20 years, which is a significant milestone.
“In that time, the team have introduced thousands of children to new activities and opportunities.
“We’re looking forward to seeing plenty of folk at our fun activities next week to mark our special anniversary.”
Chairman of the education and families committee Davie Sandison added: “The active schools programme is hugely valued here in the Shetland community, and the large numbers of children benefitting from its various activities is testament to its success.
“I’d like to congratulate and thank our active schools coordinators past and present for their dedication to our community, its young people and their health and wellbeing.”
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WATCH: Swan returns with new mast
The Swan has made a welcome return to Scalloway after a brand new mast was fitted in Ullapool.
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Sniffer dogs seize £20,000 of heroin in a week
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 two operations, the sniffer dog charity has played a crucial role in the crackdown on illicit substances reaching the isles – including £18,000 of heroin yesterday (Thursday).
Police chief Chris Sewell hailed the dog handlers and their trusted canines as a “unique asset” on the frontline, keeping Shetland safe.
“It is essential, to reduce harm, that we do all that we can to disrupt this criminal activity and bring offenders to justice,” the area commander said.
“These significant drugs recoveries once again highlight the excellent partnership working between Police Scotland and the Dogs Against Drugs charity.”
Mr Sewell added that the busts this week had been down to good intelligence and “pro-active” policing.
On Tuesday the police and Dogs Against Drugs seized £1,300 of heroin.
Earlier this week, Mr Sewell told the community safety and resilience board that it was his intention to to target those involved in the supply of controlled drugs.
Council leader wins top award
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 this week’s Shetland Times
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.
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