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Hybrid-electric planes could soon be flying passengers to and from Shetland as Loganair’s new partnership with Heart Aerospace aims to decarbonise air travel. Loganair said the…
Hybrid-electric planes could soon be flying passengers to and from Shetland as Loganair’s new partnership with Heart Aerospace aims to decarbonise air travel. Loganair said the…
The public are being urged to contribute their views to the design of the new Brae High School.
In today’s (Friday, 6th September) edition of The Shetland Times:
The operator of Sullom Voe Terminal (SVT) is “exploring the potential” of a windfarm at the site.
Both the men’s and women’s football squads have been selected to compete at the Island Games being hosted by our neighbours Orkney next year.
There was concern that the Shetland teams may miss out as the competitions were being restricted to just 12 teams due to accommodation issues in Orkney.
But both the men’s and women’s squads were selected in a draw which took place in Orkney this evening.
Following the draw to select the football teams to play in the 2025 Island Games, chairwoman Lesley Hutchison said: “We’re delighted that both Shetland men’s and women’s football teams have been drawn to play in Orkney in the football competition at next year’s Island Games.
“Also drawn are the teams from the Western Isles, which along with the hosts, also means that all three Scottish Island Teams are represented.
“We’re sorry however that with the reduced number of places available, some notable island teams have unfortunately not been drawn to play.
“We’ll continue our planning in the knowledge that both football teams are now included, alongside the other eleven sports who will represent Shetland.
“We expect to have an overall team of around 200 competitors and officials, which would make ‘Orkney 2025’ our largest team ever to travel to the Games.”
Shetland Football Assocation posted on Facebook: “Our team have been successful in tonight’s draw to take part in the Island Games next summer.
“Our planning, fundraising and preparations can now commence now that we have a degree of certainty.
“It has been confirmed by organisers that the men’s tournament will consist of 12 teams. We understand that the draw for the groups will take place on 30th September.”
Hybrid-electric planes could soon be flying passengers to and from Shetland after Loganair announced an “exclusive” new partnership.
READ FULL STORYThe SIC’s political leader has used her Viking celebration speech to call for change and a fairer system.
READ FULL STORYBus stops could soon feature digital displays providing waiting passengers with up to date information on when the next service will arrive.
READ FULL STORYA 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 MOREA burst sewer has partially closed a road in Lerwick.
READ FULL STORYTourists are “flooding” the transport network at peak times, a senior council official has warned.
READ FULL STORYShetland Greens have accused SSE of acting like a “pirate” after it emerged it is selling electricity from the Viking Energy windfarm at three times the agreed price.
READ FULL STORYMore affordable rural homes have been built in Aberdeen City than in Shetland, new figures reveal.
According to a Freedom of Information request, just 111 affordable rural homes have been built in Shetland since 2017.
During the same period, 380 were built in Aberdeen City – despite it being a mainly urban area.
The figures, shared by Highlands and Island MSP Rhoda Grant, also show rural housing has been built near the Edinburgh bypass and Central Belt commuter towns.
The Scottish government claims to have built more than 10,000 rural affordable homes since 2016, but Ms Grant says the new figures cast doubt over that assessment.
She is calling on the government to “urgently” re-evaluate its classification system for rural housing areas, claiming the current system is not working to help rural areas address depopulation.
“The lack of affordable housing is the single greatest issue in the Highlands and Islands.
“Our health service cannot recruit because of it.
“Depopulation increases every year because of it.
“Our economic development depends on good quality, affordable housing.
“This FOI highlights that urban areas are benefiting from funding for rural affordable housing.
“This puts rural areas at a further disadvantage.
“The Scottish Government need to examine how this has been allowed to happen and re-define their classification system for rural housing.”
The figures show that since 2017, almost 9,000 affordable rural homes have been built – but less than half of these have been in the Highlands, Islands and Moray.
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A group of around 20 anti-windfarm protesters campaigned outside a ‘celebration’ dinner marking the completion of the Viking Energy windfarm.
The controversial 103 turbine windfarm, including associated subsea connection to the national grid, has gone live – a project energy giants SSE says represents a £1.2 billion investment.
A number of events are taking place this week to mark the occasion, including a dinner tonight (Monday) being hosted at Shetland Museum.
A petition signed by 661 people was handed over by campaigner Laurie Goodlad to SIC leader Emma Macdonald.
The petition urged councillors to boycot the events, stating: “By attending, you are supporting Shetland down a very dangerous road.”
A handful of councillors attended tonight’s dinner, including Ms Macdonald, SIC vice-convener Bryan Peterson, and councillor Dennis Leask – all stating they were there to “engage” with industry leaders about community concerns.
The SIC political leader said: “I am going in to do my job. You have to be in the room to engage with people.
“I understand the [protesters’] feelings. I live here. I get it.”
Mr Peterson said he was on the side of the campaigners, saying: “I don’t disagree with them at all. I ultimately share their feeling.
“I have the opportunity here to be in the room with a huge number of influential folk that we don’t really get the chance to meet. I will take the opportunity to make our case.”
A large number of people connected to the project attended the dinner. Shetland South councillor Allison Duncan did not comment as he arrived.
Petition organiser Laurie Goodlad said 661 people had signed the petition since it launched on Friday.
The petition reads: “We, the undersigned, request that our elected and appointed representatives do not attend an event celebrating a project that has caused significant division in our community.
She said: “The petition, which has only had the weekend to gather signatures, has an awful lot of support from people in Shetland, and Shetlanders away from home. I urge you to think about Shetland, and what is right for the islands in this instance, boycotting this event would best serve your people. By attending, you are supporting Shetland down a very dangerous road.”
SSE said the “thank you” dinner was an internal event for partners and stakeholders involved in the project.
Director of children’s services Helen Budge confirmed there is no budget in place to reopen mothballed schools.
READ FULL STORYA 35-year-old man who took his father’s car without permission has been handed a four year driving ban.
Sean Ballard was also ordered to wear an electronic tag for six months when he appeared via video link in Lerwick Sheriff Court on Friday.
Ballard, who is also known as Sean Peoples, had been taken in to Dumfries after a warrant was issued for arrest following his failure to attend a sentencing hearing.
Ballard, of Newbie, near Annan, had previously admitted four driving offences relating to an incident on 1st May last year.
He took his father’s car from the Ulsta ferry terminal in Yell and drove it while disqualified.
He also drove without an MOT or insurance.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank handed him a four year driving ban for the driving while disqualified offence.
He has also been ordered to undergo 12 months of supervision and to remain at his home address between 7pm-7am every day.
During a previous court appearance, Ballard’s defence agent said his client had taken a drug treatment course and had not used illicit substances since July 2023.
SSEN Distribution’s specialist subsea team has successfully completed the first phase of installing a replacement cable between Mainland Shetland and Papa Stour.
This phase – which involved the laying of the cable along the seabed – was completed on Friday 30th August.
Work on the phase two, which sees protection laid over the new cable to shield it from potential damage will now begin. Connection to the local network and a full programme of testing will then follow.
Customers in Papa Stour continue to receive their power via mobile generation throughout the installation and testing process.
SSEN Distribution has thanked the community for their patience while the work is carried out.
A plea is being made for new volunteers to join the Children’s Hearing system in the isles.
It comes as part of an annual recruitment campaign calling for more people to join.
Speaking at the campaign’s launch, children’s minister Natalie Don-Innes said: “Panel members make important decisions that change young people’s lives for the better, which means this is an extremely rewarding role.
“I hope people from all walks of life will think about joining Scotland’s unique hearings system, helping Scotland to keep the Promise that our country will be the best place to grow up.”
The campaign runs until noon on Monday 30th September.
The youngster responsible for leading next year’s Junior Up-Helly-A’ has been named.
Fin Hatrick has today [Friday] been confirmed as the Junior Guizer Jarl for the 2025 festival.
An Unst woman was surprised to see a bagpiper serenade a string of Shetland ponies.
Janice Priest was on her way to a self-catering accommodation she looks after when she encountered the impromptu concert.
The Swiss Jacques Ioset had found a quiet place to play his pipes when he noticed a peerie crowd gather around him on the side of the road.
This picture of a European bee-eater was captured today (Saturday) by Magnie Scott on Papa Stour.
He told The Shetland Times: “He was so colourful he stood out!”
The photo was post on the Shetland Birds and Wildelife Facebook page and local wildlife expert Hugh Harrop confirmed it was a European bee-eater, commenting: “Brilliant.”
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At midnight on Saturday the Relay for Life Shetland committee announced the total raised
so far this year – unveiling an amazing £174,868.
And with fundraising to continue till the end of August, they expect to smash through the £200k mark.
A typical Shetland day saw the relay get underway at its new start time of midday.
Over 125 survivors took part in the opening lap before peeling off for their reception at the
Anderson High School.
They led off the 32 teams, made up of over 600 participants, that had registered to take part this year.
Kerry Llewellyn, chairwoman of Relay for Life Shetland, said “It has been an amazing event this
year, and the support from the community and local business has been overwhelmingly
positive”
“I want to thank all the volunteers who help us on Friday and Sunday putting the site
together, who bake and help in the tea and BBQ tents and the musicians who keep us
entertained through the day and night.
“I also want to thank all the business that donated raffle prizes our main sponsor Cooke Aquaculture, Ocean Kinetics Ltd, LHD Ltd, Lerwick Port Authority, Scottish Seafarms Ltd and Serene LK297 for supporting the event, EMN Plant Ltd for sponsoring the Survivors’ Reception and Malakoff Ltd for their support of the Candle of Hope ceremony.”
Susan Johnstone – senior divisional manager at CRUK said “It’s been an incredible day at
Relay for Life Shetland.
“The committee, teams and the local community out in force raising money for Cancer Research UK is hugely appreciated by everyone at Cancer Research UK. Together we are beating cancer.”
Hundreds have turned out for the beginning of this year Relay of Life, raising funds for CRUK.
It is the first time the Relay got underway in daylight – having previously begun at midnight – beginning just after noon with the ‘survivors’ lap’.
Kerry Llewellyn, chairwoman of the Relay for Life, was really excited at the beginning, saying it was an important event that brings together all of Shetland for a cause close to many people.
Around 125 survivors began the relay, with the support of families and huge crowds.
They were then joined by participants from 31 teams taking part, with around 610 participants.
However, it was plain to see many more wanted to join in – so the actual number will well exceed that.
Kerry said: “Relay For Life celebrates the power of community fundraising to make breakthroughs happen.
“Teams of friends and family fundraise for world-leading cancer research then unite as a collective at a festival to remember loved ones, honour everyone affected by cancer and celebrate the progress we’re making.”
The ‘survivors’ lap’ was led by Natasha Fraser and Alison Leith, both from Lerwick.
Natasha is in recovery from breast cancer, having undergone treatment over the last two years, while Alison is currently in recovery for breast cancer.
They both said they were “honoured” to be opening the event and leading the other participants.
A fun day is now underway with games, stalls, bouncy castles, tea tent and the Relay BBQ.
There will be musical accompaniment throughout the day with great sets from some of Shetland’s
greatest bands including the Plonkeys, Just Another Cake Fridge and the Revellers.
The Candle of Hope will take place at 10pm, with the event finishing at midnight.
A flotilla of naval ships which have been operating for NATO have arrived in Shetland for some “rest and recuperation” for their crews.
The ships, four from the Royal Netherlands Navy and one registered under the Belgium flag, arrived on Friday morning. They are expected to remain over the weekend.
The Mercuur, Zierikzee, Wiilemstad and Makkum are all Royal Netherlands Navy ships. They have differing roles, described as submarine support, military ops or minesweeper.
The Bellis is a “military ops” ships sailing under the flag of Belgium.
They have all been described as working for NATO.
Lerwick Port Authority said they were visiting for “R&R”, and were due to leave again on Monday.
The 42nd Shetland Folk Festival has got under way in great fashion today.
Musicians gathered for the launch event this afternoon (Thursday), with an array of concerts planned over the coming days.
Norwegian ban Gangar added a bit of folk, rock and metal at the opening, and were joined by The Fretless with Madeleine Roger and the Tenement Jazz Band, tipped to be one of the star acts of the event.
There are 15 visiting acts joining local performers in entertaining the crowds all over Shetland.
Concerts tonight take place in Lerwick – Da Big Kirk Concert, the Legion and Mareel – and at Hamnavoe and Vidlin.
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