Grant funding to tackle sexism

SHETLAND Rape Crisis is to benefit from £25,000 in funding for a project that aims to tackle sexism and harassment in rural communities. The Lerwick based service that supports victims of sexual violence is planning to work with five other grassroots organisations across the Highlands. The money, announced on the UN’s human rights day, comes […]

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Viking Energy applies for further changes to its consent

RENEWABLE energy developer Viking Energy has applied to have the upper limit of 457 Megawatts (WW) for its consented 103-turbine wind farm removed and replaced with the looser term of “greater than 50 MW”. If approved by the Energy Consent Unit, it will allow the company to potentially use larger turbines than anticipated when planning […]

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Carmichael reacts to Brexit vote postponement

ISLES MP Alistair Carmichael has renewed his call for a referendum on the Brexit deal – the so-called people’s vote – after it emerged that Tuesday’s meaningful vote in the House of Commons is likely to be postponed. Several national news organisations reported on Monday morning that the Brexit vote would now not take place […]

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College board supports college merger

Plans to merge tertiary education, research and training in the isles have been backed by the SIC’s college board. A full business case was put before councillors at a meeting this morning, with chairman Peter Campbell saying “this is a meeting that is clearly the most significant meeting the college board has ever held”. Councillors […] The post College board supports college merger appeared first on The Shetland Times.

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Board backs college merger

PLANS to merge Shetland’s tertiary education, research and training sector have been backed by the council’s college board. Chairman Peter Campbell said on Monday morning that it was the “most significant meeting that the college board has ever held”. But councillor George Smith raised concerns over how an anticipated reduction in staff – combined with […]

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Police investigate ‘possible suspicious behaviour’

POLICE are investigating what they call possible suspicious behaviour said to have taken place in Lerwick on late Sunday afternoon (9 December). Officers say two people in a dark car spoke to two children walking on Commercial Street near to Bains Beach. Police are keen to speak to the occupants of the car. Anyone with […]

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Althing forum attempts to unpick Brexit

Casting off the traditional debate format in favour of a forum Saturday’s Althing attempted to unpick Brexit and its potential impact on Shetland. Offering insights from their respective fields and discussing their “ideal Brexit” were farmer Aimee Budge, MP Alistair Carmichael, chief executive of the Shetland Fishermen’s Association Simon Collins, Visit Scotland’s Steve Mathieson, Irene […] The post Althing forum attempts to unpick Brexit appeared first on The Shetland Times.

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Review: Kansa impress at Mareel album launch

Local band Kansa treated a packed Mareel auditorium to a festive evening of excellent music on Saturday night, which not only highlighted the strength of local musical talent, but also helped Kansa to showcase their new release, The Rowan Tree. Opening the evening with a cover of First Aid Kit’s My Silver Lining, Kansa slipped […] The post Review: Kansa impress at Mareel album launch appeared first on The Shetland Times.

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Police appeal for dangerous driving witnesses

POLICE are looking to speak to anyone who may have witnessed an alleged incident of dangerous driving at the Lang Kames this afternoon (8 December). A pure white new BMW – possibly a 5 Series – is said to have overtaken a number of cars heading north at around 1.45pm, causing vehicles to take evasive […]

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Car accident, renewables recognised, Streamline deliveries, Bigton shop success and theatre show

NO injuries were reported when a car left the road near Tingwall on Friday afternoon and landed on its roof. The one-vehicle accident, which happened on the A971, took place at around 3.45pm. THE NEW Fair Isle electricity scheme and Nova Innovation’s tidal project at Bluemull Sound were among the winners at this year’s Scottish […]

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Full-sugar Irn Bru cans add fizz to MRI fundraising appeal

A LERWICK shop has come up with a novel way of raising money for the Shetland MRI scanner appeal – auctioning off old cans of Irn Bru with its sought-after original recipe. The makers of the fizzy drink changed its recipe at the start of the year to cut sugar levels, but many consumers said […]

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College merger could save millions

MERGING Shetland’s tertiary education, research and training sector into one new body could save more than £12 million over five years. But the proposal could see the number of employees in the sector reduce from 113 to 99 full-time equivalent posts. A full business case for merging Shetland College UHI, Train Shetland and NAFC Marine […]

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Pressure builds on HIAL

GOVERNMENT-owned airport operator Highland and Islands Airports (HIAL) has come under renewed pressure for its alleged failure to serve rural communities. Responding to news that HIAL is reviewing its water rescue provision at seven of its 11 airports, including Sumburgh, Kirkwall and Stornoway, Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said he would raise the issue directly with […]

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Delight as Bigton shop is celebrated at national awards

A South Mainland man has gained recognition at a major award ceremony in London for his involvement in turning round the fortunes of the Bigton Shop. The post Delight as Bigton shop is celebrated at national awards appeared first on The Shetland Times.

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Carmichael one of the Brexit saboteurs

I’m pleased to see Alistair Carmichael MP will present his views on Brexit at the Althing, on Saturday. Hardly surprising that he intends to vote down prime minister May’s ‘deal’ negotiated with, or more accurately, imposed by the EU. Indeed, I have predicted this outcome, many times. Why so? On 23 June 2016 the British […]

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Police issue drugs warning after pair sentenced

POLICE have reiterated that drugs being brought into Shetland “will not be tolerated” after two local men were sent to prison for attempting to bring nearly £30,000 worth of cannabis and cannabis resin into Lerwick. Twenty six year old Mitchell Cross and Alasdair Kelly, 28, were both sent to prison when they appeared at Lerwick […]

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HIAL reviewing use of water rescue crafts

THE FLEET of water rescue crafts at airports in Scotland’s islands – including Sumburgh Airport – is currently under review. Operator Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) insisted it would carry out a public consultation before any changes are made to water rescue provision. News of the review was met by concern from south mainland […]

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Women’s Aid struggles to cope with demand

SHETLAND Women’s Aid has been forced close off its waiting lists due to increasing demand as it looks to restructure its service and apply for more funding. A statement released by its board of directors on Wednesday said that the workload has created “concerns for the health and wellbeing of existing service users and staff”. […]

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Pottinger given unpaid work for growing cannabis plants

A SHETLAND serial offender was lucky to escape jail when he appeared for sentencing at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday after admitting producing cannabis at his home address in the north mainland. Jason Pottinger of Sandside, Mossbank was instead ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within a three-month period. The court heard […]

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Diazepam and prescription medication results in dangerous driving

A MAN has been sent to prison for 20 months after admitting driving dangerously from Dunrossness to Lerwick while unfit through drink or drugs. Mark Scholes, of Grampian Prison, admitted driving dangerously on the A970 and various roads in Lerwick on 31 October while his ability to drive was impaired. The 42-year-old also pleaded guilty […]

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