The Shetland Times Live

WATCH: Careers fair buzzes with excitement

February 18, 2025 | 1.49pm

The Shetland Careers and Opportunities Fair is taking place today (Tuesday) to encourage people of all ages to take a chance on new careers.

A total of 73 prospective employers and education institutes set up their stalls in the Clickimin Leisure Complex to entice and capture the imaginations of young folk and people considering a new vocation.

There were many interactive and informative stalls on offer in both the main and bowls halls.

The event started with a soft opening this morning before opening to the public and will close at 4pm.

Hospital working at full capacity

February 18, 2025 | 12.05pm

The Gilbert Bain Hospital is continuing to operate at full capacity following news last week staff were working under “extreme pressure”.

But NHS Shetland says all surgical procedures went ahead as planned last week, thanks to staff who pulled out all the stops to ensure extra beds were made available.

The health service is monitoring the situation daily, assessing whether it can safely maintain planned surgical procedures as bed occupancy remains high.

All clinically urgent procedures will go ahead as planned. Cancellations will be “minimised” wherever possible.

Any patients who may be affected will be contacted directly.

Ongoing pressures across the health and social care system include:

• Patients with extended lengths of stay

• Patients awaiting transfer to specialist care

• Limited community beds

• Staff sickness in both acute and community settings

“We are working in close partnership to address these issues together,” the health service announced in a statement.

“The hospital and community health and social care services are working together to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“We are jointly reviewing how we can improve flow across hospital and community settings to minimise delays and maintain patient safety.

“Our staff continue to work together to maintain safe and effective care, particularly at a time when the system is under strain.

“We have increased staffing levels to help maintain safety during winter pressures. We appreciate the commitment of colleagues across both hospital and community settings, whose ongoing efforts help
us maintain safe and effective care despite these pressures.”

NHS Shetland has asked anyone feeling unwell – especially with respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms – to refrain from visiting the hospital or any care home settings.

“We understand this can be a challenging time, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding. Please know that we will keep you updated as the situation progresses.

“Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.”

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Workforce housing survey launched by SIC

February 18, 2025 | 11.30am

Employers are being urged to take part in a survey to show the extent of workforce housing shortages across the isles.

The survey — commissioned by Shetland Islands Council — aims to find the true extent of the need for housing for the diverse workforce which supports the Shetland economy. It would also provide insight into whether this is affecting recruitment and retention of staff.

It is also hoped the research would be able to define what is meant by the term “key worker”.

SIC housing manager Anita Jamieson said her department was “keen” to hear from a wide variety of employers across a range of industries.

“We’d like views from as many local employers as possible, including public and private sector organisations, and businesses large and small, so that we can build as complete a picture as we can,” Ms Jamieson said.

Views are sought from local businesses of all sizes and in all sectors of the Shetland economy, which will help identify how workforce housing shortages should be tackled.

Employers are being asked if a lack of housing to accommodate workers is potentially affecting their business growth.  They are also asked for their views on what needs to happen to increase housing options and choices for working age people in Shetland.

Survey responses will used for research purposes only and gathered anonymously, unless any business wishes to provide their details for follow up research.  The survey is open for four weeks from today (Tuesday) and is available here.

The survey is being conducted by specialist housing consultancy Arneil Johnston on behalf of Shetland Islands Council.

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Ferry disruption

February 18, 2025 | 10.55am

Tomorrow’s (Wednesday) sailing of the Hrossey will leave Lerwick early due to forecasted high winds.

The ferry will depart an hour early at 4.30pm and her arrival into Kirkwall is expected to be delayed by up to an hour, with arrival into Aberdeen on Thursday morning delayed by up to two hours.

NorthLink has warned that its passenger and freight services may be disrupted through to Monday 24th February due to forecasted high winds.

NorthLink is currently operating a temporary timetable to accommodate the drydock of each passenger vessel, with the Hjaltland currently away.

Heating fault leads to school closure

February 17, 2025 | 12.29pm

A faulty heating system has given pupils at Bell’s Brae Primary in Lerwick a day off school.

The three storey block closed from mid-morning today. 

Pupils in P1-P7 were picked up from the school canteen by parents and carers. 

The early years and ASN departments remain open.

£450,000 of Viking grants since windfarm opened

February 17, 2025 | 11.26am

A community fund set up with money from Viking Energy has celebrated awarding almost half a million pounds to local organisations since the Windfarm opened six months ago.

The fund’s managers have allocated a little more than £450,000 in total — to projects including insulation support for fuel poor households and an accessible transport initiative for wheelchair users.

SSE have promised roughly £72 million of community funding over the lifespan of the windfarm, the equivalent of £2.2 million each year.

The fund has awarded just more than £1 million since early 2021, before Viking energy began generating.

Eleanor Gear, the fund’s manager, said the milestone represents a “positive start” to the project.

“Long-term strategic projects do not happen overnight and early engagement with the Shetland community, through its community groups, organisations and businesses is crucial to the success of the fund,” she said.

Ms Gear added that the fund was not designed to initiate new groups or projects, but to support existing local organisations in the work they do.

The council’s energy efficiency team received £200,000 of “top-up funding” to replace doors and windows for locals struggling to heat their homes. 

“With Shetland’s cold and windy weather we regularly receive requests for help with new
windows and doors,” said 

“This additional energy efficiency funding is welcome and will provide further help to households living in fuel poverty.”

Hjaltland Housing Association also received £10,000 to train staff retrofitting council houses to make them more efficient

The Royal Voluntary Service was given more than £30,000 for its work connecting with chair users with volunteers drivers and accessible cars.

Some other organisations however, have criticised the size of the fund, or suggested other projects which were not included in its consultation to decide the fund’s priorities.

• Read the full story in this week’s issue of The Shetland Times, out Friday, 21st February.

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  • Bar Staff at Scalloway Legion
    Scalloway, Shetland. PART TIME

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    Up to 30 hours per week Wednesday to Saturday evenings Could be job share Good rates of pay

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    Thulecraft are looking for applicants for the position of Engineer in our busy Box Plant, which supplies Polystyrene Boxes to the Aquaculture Industry in Shetland….

    February 14, 2025 | 6.00am
  • Various vacancies at Shetland Islands Council
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    We have a number of vacancies for various hours at locations throughout Shetland. Jobs on offer this week include… • Work Placement and Child Permit…

    February 14, 2025 | 6.00am
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Days of Klondykers captured in new publication

February 16, 2025 | 4.26pm

A new publication features a range of photographs taken from the old days of the Klondyker East European fish factory ships.

Documentary photographer Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert is behind the photographic zines.

Klondykers, Shetland 1994, showcases 27 black and white photographs taken while Sutton-Hibbert was on editorial photographic assignments for British newspapers.

The images come from a time when East European fish factory ships would anchor off Shetland, waiting to buy cargos of mackerel and herring.

Featured ships show images from life on board the Boris Syromatnikov, from Murmansk, and the Krasnoputilovets, and also images of the Pionersk, which ran aground on the rocks at Trebister Ness.

Music festival gets £5,000 grant

February 15, 2025 | 3.07pm

The Shetland Youth Music Festival has secured a major award from Shetland Charitable Trust.

The £5,000 grant provides the funding needed to run this year’s busy programme, from 17th to 20th March, in Mareel.

Chairwoman and event manager Sioban McGregor has been involved in the festival for the last 12 years.

“We are delighted that the festival, after the setback with Covid, has had such a successful few years, especially now we are self-funded through sponsorship and donations,” she said.

“We had over 600 young musicians involved at the junior festival in 2024, and we would like to welcome musicians from all backgrounds to enter the 2025 festival, and to come and join in the fun.”

This year’s is a secondary festival, open to all young people of secondary school age in full-time education in Shetland.

The grant, together with support already secured from Shetland Arts and the Lerwick Port Authority, has given organisers the financial backing needed to keep the festival operating.

Anne MacDonald has agreed to adjudicate the festival. An examiner for Trinity College London and violinist with Scottish Ballet Orchestra, she was last in Shetland in 2017 to judge the entrants.

The festival syllabus and entry forms are available online. Closing date for entries is Monday 24th February.

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  • Hjaltland Housing TO RENT

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    A registered Scottish charity Open Mondays to Fridays 9am – 5pm including lunchtimes HAS AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED APPLICANTS One bedroom flat in Berryview, Upper Scalloway…

    February 14, 2025 | 6.00am

First headline act for Rising North to be announced

February 15, 2025 | 9.23am

Plans are gathering pace for the return of the Rising North Festival, which was held for the first time last year.

Organisers say a first headliner announcement will be made this weekend.

More news is expected tomorrow evening at 7pm.

Last year’s Rising North was praised as an outstanding three-day musical highlight.

Sandwick head to leave post

February 14, 2025 | 3.33pm

The headteacher of Sandwick Junior High School will leave his post later this year.

Andrew Hunter has notified parents of his decision in a school email, describing it as a “very hard decision to take”.

Mr Hunter, who also has responsibility for Fair Isle Primary School, will leave at the beginning of the summer holidays.

He was appointed to the role in 2023, when he took over from acting headteacher – now director of children’s services – Samantha Flaws. He was previously employed as a headteacher with City of Edinburgh Council.

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Celebrations begin for Uyeasound Up-Helly-A’

February 14, 2025 | 1.17pm

Uyeasound Up-Helly-A’ is under way.

Guizer Jarl Duncan Scott and his squad are touring the island before tonight’s procession.

They plan to visit the Baltasound school, where a coffee morning is taking place, followed by a visit to Nordalea Care Centre at lunchtime and the Uyeasound hall in the afternoon.

The torch light-up is at 7pm, with the procession leaving half an hour later from the galley shed.

Squads will then march to the burning site on the Uyeasound beach.

Happy 100th birthday to Edith

February 14, 2025 | 12.43pm

Lord Lieutenant Lindsay Tulloch has presented Edith Beattie with a birthday card from the King and Queen to mark her 100th Birthday. 

Edith moved to Shetland in 1946, where she lived in St Olaf Street in Lerwick with her late husband Andy, who was manager at Hay & Company.   

In her youth Edith played hockey for Shetland many times, and now enjoys playing bridge and scrabble.

Edith has only recently moved to ET & Taing House residential care home in Lerwick, and has received many visitors today. 

She will also celebrate with a birthday party tomorrow, which has been organised by her son Alan and care centre staff. 

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Damage caused to Clickimin Broch

February 14, 2025 | 9.27am

Damage has been caused to the Clickimin Broch in Lerwick.

Rubbish was dumped within the broch and stones were removed.

The incident is believed to have occurred sometime over the weekend between Friday 17th January and Monday 20th January.

Many Brochs and other scheduled monuments are protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

Under the terms of the act it is an offence to cause damage, either recklessly or deliberately, to ancient monuments.

Police are now investigating the incident, and have described the mistreating of monuments as “extremely disrespectful”.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police via their website, or through 101, quoting incident number 1204 of 21/01/2025.

In this week’s Shetland Times

February 14, 2025 | 7.00am

In today’s (Friday, 14th February) edition of The Shetland Times:

• Gilbert Bain hospital under “extreme pressure”.

• EXCLUSIVE: Trials wrap up for new AI fish-sorting net.

• Debate over community rewards from renewable energy.

• Scottish Human Rights Commission visits Shetland.

• Report investigates surge in school truancy.

• Seals live in “landscape of fear” from orca attacks, scientists say.

Alan the lifeboat lives on.

• SPORT: Benchwarmers win their first mixed volleyball league title.

Click here to get The Shetland Times delivered to your device every Friday morning.

Capsize and crew death were avoidable, investigation finds

February 13, 2025 | 3.00pm

The crew of a vessel which sank between Shetland and Norway were fishing with unauthorised modifications, hauling too large a catch and not wearing lifejackets when they capsized – according to an accident investigation report published this morning (Thursday).

The Njord, formerly Courageous when she sailed out of Shetland, sunk on 6th March 2022 roughly 100 miles west of Norway. All eight crew entered the water; one deckhand died.

“It is almost certain that Njord would not have capsized had the vessel been operated in line with the assumptions made in the stability book,” the report, prepared by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), reads.

“The deckhand drowned because he was not wearing a PFD when he entered the water after Njord sank.”

The Njord‘s crew were fishing out of Peterhead in “benign” conditions when they pulled in what, for many of them, was the largest single catch they had ever seen – the equivalent of more than 700 boxes.

They brought the catch round to starboard to begin hauling it in, but there was too much fish to sort, gut and store at once.

So the crew removed their floatation devices to go below deck and begin processing some fish.

By that time the remaining fish off to starboard began tilting the boat towards the water gradually, until it was listing as much as 20 degrees.

While the crew were already bailing water out of a passageway on the starboard side of the boat, the skipper “keen to load the catch on board as quickly as possible” told them to haul more fish in to sort.

The crew came back up without putting their flotation devices back on, as the vessel continued to lean into the water.

By the time the skipper noticed the net had actually sunk back into the water, and began trying to cut it free with a knife, it was too late.

Because MAIB already recommends vessels are not modified without consulting the coastguard, and that crew wear floatation devices while on deck, the report did not include any recommendations to avoid similar accidents in the future.

• Read the full story in this week’s issue of The Shetland Times, out Friday 14th February.


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