WATCH: Living Lerwick release heartfelt Christmas ad

Living Lerwick released a heart-warming video this week highlighting the value of shopping locally.

Whalsay Golf Course named best in the world 

A golfing Youtuber has named Whalsay Golf Course as the “best in the world”.

Liam Harrison runs the Golf Mates YouTube channel which has 225,000 subscribers across the world.

Mr Harrison played on the Whalsay course in September as part of his visit to Shetland and Orkney.

He was blown away by the UK’s most northerly course – including its stunning views, challenging holes, and the story behind the golf course.

Asked why he loved it so much, Mr Harrison said: “I liked the journey to Whalsay be honest, and the people there were just brilliant. If you get it on the right day, you’re not going to find anywhere better than Whalsay for views.

He added: “What they have done with it is cracking.”

While in the Bonnie Isle, Mr Harrison met former fisherman Graeme Sandison – one of those who pursued the idea of creating a golf course in the 1970s.

In the film, Mr Sandison explained how the late shopkeeper’s son-in-law brought the first set of golf clubs to the island in 1972, sparking the idea of finding land to create a course, which opened four years later.

Read the full story in this week’s Shetland Times. 

Bam Nuttall pleads guilty after Viking Windfarm death

A construction company has admitted breaching safety regulations after a worker died on the Viking Energy windfarm site.

Urafirth Primary School gets good review

Urafirth Primary School received a good rating in all areas of its inspection.

Learning, teaching and assessment, securing children’s progress, raising attainment and achievement and learning, teaching and assessment were all graded as ‘good’ for Urafirth Primary School.

The report stated all staff and children at the school offered a “very warm welcome” to visitors.

Children felt “proud” of their school and the community share their learning “confidently” with those visiting.

All children were described as behaving “very well” and staff had “nurturing” relationships with them.

Pupils benefitted from the “well-planned” outdoor learning activities which helped to “motivate” them -  as a result the children were highly engaged in their learning.

Read the full story in this week’s Shetland Times. 

Wreckage confirmed as missing aircraft

The wreckage of an aircraft recovered by a fishing boat northeast of Shetland was today (Monday) confirmed as a German plane which was reported missing over the North Sea last year.

The wreckage containing human remains was brought ashore to Lerwick Harbour by the Peterhead-registered Benarkle II on Sunday.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed it was that of a German-registered Cessna 172, which went missing over the North Sea in September 2023.

It added in a statement: “The loss of the aircraft was initially investigated by the Bundesstelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung of Germany.  The AAIB is supporting Police Scotland and working with the BFU to assist their safety investigation.”

The trawler Benarkle II made the discovery on Friday, and was met by police teams as she arrived at the Greenhead Base on Sunday.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police received a report of a small aircraft having been recovered from the water in the North Sea, north-east of Lerwick, around 2.20pm on Friday..

“The aircraft was brought to shore on Sunday and human remains were found within. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Last October a search operation was launched between Norway and Shetland after a light aircraft lost contact over the North Sea.

The plane had taken off from Germany with one person on board.

The aircraft was believed to have been in the UK search and rescue region. A fixed-wing aircraft was sent to investigate the North Sea area between Shetland and Norway.

HM Coastguard said at the time there was no sign of the plane and the search was stood down.

Councillors approve Northmavine hop extension

Revellers can enjoy an extra hour of drinking at the Northmavine Hop, after councillors approved extended licensing hours at the Hillswick Hall.

Councillors quickly approved the application at today’s (Monday) licensing board meeting at the Lerwick Town Hall, to extend the licensing hours to 2am from 1am.

Members of the board heard that, if approved, the “well run and organised” hall would have an additional hour to allow for party-goers to finish up the drinks they had purchased on the premises.

Alcohol would only be served until 1am but people would be allowed to consume their booze, while the hall is cleared up, with “safety” in mind.

West Side member Liz Peterson said she was happy to see this go ahead, to let people arrange for transport.

She highlighted that there would be very few taxis on the road at such a late hour, and people would be forced to “wait around,” if they were unable to get a taxi by 1am.

Lerwick North and Bressay councillor Stephen Leask said that in previous years the event had been run “quite successfully,” so he had little hesitation to back it.

The hop will take place on Saturday 22nd February, and there were no objections from police to prevent the extension from happening.

UHI Shetland graduations

Over 130 UHI Shetland students enjoyed a magical Christmas graduation at Mareel today (Friday).

Due to overwhelming demand, students who completed their studies in a wide variety of subjects, from aquaculture, art, computing, health care amongst many other, in academic year 2023/24 were spaced over two ceremonies.

UHI Shetland welcomed Helen Budge, former SIC director of children’s services, who delivered a speech on the importance of learning and skills in our islands.

Keith Massey, UHI Shetland student of the year delivered the ever-popular student speech, reflecting on his learning journey.

Professor Derek McGhee, dean of research and innovation at the University of the Highlands and Islands joined UHI Shetland staff and students to celebrate their achievements.

UHI Shetland Principal Jane Lewis expressed how proud she and the staff are of all the students’ accomplishments.

She said: “Graduation is one of the highlights of the student journey; a fantastic opportunity for our hard-working students, who have put in many hours enhancing their skills and knowledge, to celebrate with their friends, family and colleagues”.

Police to screen drivers for drugs in pilot scheme

Isles police will be piloting a new scheme to catch people driving under the influence of drugs.

Police Scotland will then roll-out the screening appliances across the country, if the six-month trial is successful.

A dozen officers have completed the training, with one officer claiming it would be a helpful tool in the crackdown on illicit drugs.

Sergeant Alex Barry told The Shetland Times it provided a “real opportunity” for officers to take the lead in preventing substance-related crime.

“It hits the nail on the head with what we are looking out for,” Sgt Barry said. “From my non-roads policing point of view, it gives me a lot more breadth to capture stuff like that.”

This training allows officers who have recently received drug wipe training to detect those driving under the influence of controlled substances at the roadside and is a big step forward in terms of road safety in Shetland.