Starlings top again in RSPB garden birdwatch

Shetland’s remains a stronghold for starlings, according to results from the RSPB’s annual citizen survey published this morning.

Starlings were spotted by 95 per cent of the islands’ “big garden birdwatch” participants this year, more than twice as commonly as on the mainland.

That makes Shetland a rare refuge compared to the rest of the UK, where the lowest number of the species were recorded this year since the survey began almost half a century ago.

Meanwhile, more wrens, crows and herring gulls were spied in Shetland this year; robins and common gulls, meanwhile, were harder to find.

RSPB’s Scotland director Anne McCall thanked over 40,000 people for participating in the survey across the nation.

“There’s been no let-up in the decline of our wildlife over recent decades, with one in nine wildlife species at risk of being lost from Scotland,” she said.

“To halt this decline and turn round the current downward trajectory, we need to help wildlife return across the country and make it a natural feature of everyday life. Our gardens and community greenspaces provide the perfect place for us as individuals to start.”

The RSPB recommends supporting bird life, including starlings, by keeping a natural lawn, avoiding pesticides and considering putting up a nest box.

“Mowing the lawn now and again is beneficial” too, so the birds can keep an eye out for predators while eating.

Motorist fined £2,000 after careless overtaking attempt

A careless motorist who overtook seven vehicles, while a cyclist was coming the other way, has been banned from driving and ordered to pay a four-figure fine.

Sam Young, 34, of Chapel Lane, Scalloway, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday, representing himself.

Young previously admitted making a careless manoeuvre in his car to overtake seven vehicles in the face of an oncoming cyclist.

It happened on the 29th April last year along the A970 at the Fladdabister Straights in the South Mainland.

As a result of the manoeuvre, Young had to brake heavily and move back into his carriageway to avoid crashing into the cyclist.

Young, who works as a fisherman, urged Sheriff Ian Cruickshank to consider the “exceptional hardship” that an additional three points on his licence would cause  – as he already had nine points at the time of the offence.

The accused claimed he was the only crew member with a driver’s licence and he needed it to transport the foreign nationals he worked with, and to collect supplies for the vessel. He said he worked alongside six other people, who were from abroad.

But procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said he failed to believe Young’s claims.

“Disqualification inevitably involves hardship,” Mr MacKenzie said.

Sheriff Cruickshank told Young he had insufficient information to agree with his exceptional hardship plea and had little choice but to impose a disqualification.

Young was ordered to pay a £2,000 fine and banned from driving for four months.

Brae High School pupils present showcase in Aberdeen

Seven Brae High School pupils presented final showcase of the Powering Futures Challenge Programme in Aberdeen, thanks to support from SSEN Transmission.

Last week’s presentation allowed fifth and sixth year pupils to step out of the classroom, unlock hidden talent and build the skills that employers look for.

The children spent the last 30 weeks working in two teams as part of the Powering Futures Challenge programme – a national initiative which enables students to work on practical projects, develop key skills, and earn a SCQF Level 6 qualification, equivalent to a higher.

Brae High School teacher Kirsten Couper said the project was “transformational” and was unlike anything else that had been taught at the school.

“In working towards this qualification, we’ve observed students grow their confidence, work well in teams, and think differently about careers they hadn’t considered previously,” Ms Couper said.

Powering Futures is a Scottish-based organisation that exists to uncover hidden talent in young people and help them take confident steps toward future-ready jobs and careers where they can thrive.

By 2030 it aims to help 100,000 young people in Scotland with programmes spanning schools, workplaces, and digital platforms. 

The presentations took place in the Granite City and were pitched to a judging panel of industry leaders from organisations including Powering Futures, Energy Transition Zone, PwC and BrewDog, along with Aberdeen Donside MSP Jackie Dunbar.

Brae High School has been involved in the Challenge programme since August 2024, with sponsorship – provided by SSEN Transmission – allowing the bairns to travel to make the presentations.

Powering Futures co-founder Jennifer Tempany said the organisation was “thrilled” to welcome the pupils from Brae High.

“The innovation and insight from these young people was inspiring, and a real reminder of the talent we have across Scotland,” Ms Tempany said.

“Thanks to the support from SSEN Transmission, these pupils had the opportunity to explore their potential, build essential skills, and connect with future employers. That’s what Powering Futures is all about — helping young people find the path that’s right for them, and helping businesses discover the talent they need.”

In the isles, SSEN Transmission delivered the subsea Shetland HVDC link to the rest of the GB grid, which was energised last August.

Coastguard confirms Oscar Charlie response times to be protected

The response times of coastguard search and rescue helicopters at Sumburgh will be protected, the coastguard has confirmed.

Charitable trust funds made available to protect historic buildings

One-off grants are being made available to protect historic buildings, the Shetland Charitable Trust (SCT) has announced.

It comes three years after the sale of Belmont House in Unst, with the proceeds funding the support.

The scheme is open to charities, trusts and not-for-profit community and voluntary groups only.

SCT was given the proceeds after the sale by the The Belmont Trust which saved and restored the derelict Georgian mansion, built in 1775, to its original form.

The Belmont Trust stipulated the funds be used to support similar restoration projects on important examples of historic Shetland buildings.

The Belmont Built Heritage Grant scheme will only be available while its funds of around £200,000 last.

It offers up to 90 per cent of the capital cost of improving assets.

Any buildings or structures supported by the grant scheme will need to be accessible, relevant, sustainable and valued.

The emphasis will be on assisting examples of built heritage which are in poor condition or at risk of loss or decline.

The aim is to increase people’s connection with their local heritage and possibly to support innovative ways of managing the buildings to keep them going.

The scheme is open to bids until 27th June with any awards paid out after October.

Full details and application forms are available from the SCT website, by email from mail@shetlandcharitabletrust.co.uk or telephone 01595 744 994.

Hydrogen project progresses to shortlist

Plans for a hydrogen production facility have taken a major step forward after making the shortlist of a UK government scheme.

Sumburgh lighthouse re-opens for 2025

With an almighty toot, Sumburgh’s foghorn announced the re-opening of the lighthouse and visitor centre this afternoon (Saturday).

“You could feel it in your ribcage,” said Jane Outram, a member of the centre’s visitor engagement team. “I’m surprised they couldn’t hear it in Lerwick.”

The current foghorn — bright red and installed in 1906 to warn wayward fishermen off the rocks — now sounds twice a year to mark the opening and closing of the Sumburgh head visitor centre.

“What’s great about it is a lot of the sensations come back again every time,” said Ms Outram, now in her tenth year working at the centre.

“It made me jump,” said Evie Herrington, a UHI research assistant and first-time foghorn onlooker. “But it was great to see.”

Today the foghorn was powered by Brian Jonson, a retained lightkeeper with the Northern Lighthouse board.

Less reliable than the foghorn, however, is the sunshine.

“It’s been a great day,” said Ms Outram. “The weather behaved.”

The visitor centre is now open from 10am to 5pm everyday outside Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

New tourist centre owners ‘delighted’ after sale finally goes through

The new owners of the tourist centre have finally taken ownership of the building – more than a year after its closure was first announced.