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Indeed, socially distanced harassment doesn't quite work as well! A small bonus. While I think you and I may be voting differently it has been refreshing to see someone not in favour of independence (I think) not name calling, claiming being shouted down when trolling or asking questions only to ignore some perfectly reasonable answers - all acts which only further cement opinions for *insert tongue in cheek* FRRREEEEEEEDOOOOMMM!!!! The independence thing does need put to bed one way or the other. Personally I don't see Scotland being such a rattle of poop that it's unable to pull it

Private car ownership would be a far less bad thing for the environment if cars were made to last much longer. There's no practical reason why cars aren't built to last longer other than financial - makers don't want to lose the pay cheque of selling a complete new unit every time one of their previous ones racks up the theoretical 10 years/100,000k 'lifespan'. The shell is the only thing that has the potential to end the life of a car, usually from corrosion, everything else it 'bolt on'. Make the shell from minimally corrosive metals and a car has the potential to last several human lif

Depending on who you ask, and it's probably not a hugely useful comparison, but... Westminster (including the Commons, Lords and whatnot) cost £552 million in 17/18. The Scottish Parliament cost £99 million in the same year (source). So Westminster costs about 5.5 times as much as Hollyrood but has a lot more 'legislative throughput'

There’s a small country who found oil at the same time and have extracted around the same amount of oil as us a few hundred miles away. Norway now has a trillion dollar sovereign wealth fund, the UK spent the lot.

It’s kinda lik da difference between splittin da bill or aabody buyin dir own denner. When a group o folk split da bill dirs always some folk dat end up disgruntled because dey think dey’ve paid mair than they expected, (especially if dey didna hae wine or a starter!) but if aabody buys dir own denner dey get whit dey want and whit dey can afford. I dee da HS2 rail link and Trident lik Scotland payin fur England’s wine and starter. Scotland might no be able to afford da steak and truffles, but we can still get a good feed fae da Harbour Cafe!

It’s quiet simple. And even a unionist lik me can see it. fir a start Scotland only costs about 10% to run as England. The different countries raise money by taxing their population. income tax, vat, corporation tax, inheritance tax etc etc etc. We already pay for our 10% so that’s where the money comes from to pay for our portion of NHS, education etc. noo there might be savings to be made by buying in bulk, ie as part of a larger state, so in the short term there will a level of panic about money, but nothing insurmountable.

Yes, if I recall, you’ve brought that up a few times. The point is they all have many faults, but most of us can see that, certain Folk on here seem determined that the SNP must get in, regardless of the future effects independence might have on people and the economy. Blinkers tightly secured and smash forward without knowing the consequences. Nothing matters except independence. I agree with Hakama, “these people are deluded” IMHO of course.

^ If you think that a spat between Boris Johnson, who was sacked from The Times for making up a quote, later sacked from the Shadow Cabinet for lying about an affair, and who won't even confirm how many children he has, and Dominic Cummings, who claimed he took his family on a trip to Barnard Castle in order to test his eyesight, is going to be the source of any "realism and straight-talking", I really don't know what to say.

Surely an independent Scotland could manage things better than this, lets be honest here, they’ve set the bar pretty low, especially when you compare with small independent countries like New Zealand, pop 5 million.

Lets just look at the last year for a few examples of bad governance from London... One of the worse covid responses in the world, we’re sitting in the bottom 5 with USA, Brazil, Mexico and India. Hard Brexit. For those who, like myself, worry about trade, the UK government has just erected trade barriers with a market of 500 million relatively rich Europeans living on our doorstep. Serious corruption with Billions of £££ of public money going to chums who have the PM’s personal number on speed dial. Lies and misconduct from the UK government has become commonplace, th

https://www.rarebreeds.co.nz/endcattlepro.html This an interesting story with a possible Shetland connection, there is a story that when a Shetland family emigrated to New Zealand in the 1800's, they also took with them their small flock of Shetland kye. Has anyone heard of, or maybe be related to this family that knows the story?

The truth is our country shops and wholesalers are struggling to compete with supermarket prices and I would bet that any "add ons " in the country shops are probably well justified with extra delivery charges. Why would any shop owner in the face of strong competition charge more than they have to and chase away there customers. Just take an assistants wages ,say £300 they would probably have to take in about £1500 to cover that plus all the other overheads ,electic ,heating ,phones ,insurance etc,etc. The small local shop is a god send but if it is to remain we will all have to be

For reference: link to the Sandwick planning application and comments https://pa.shetland.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QQ3S9ROAGZ400 link to the Scalloway planning application and comments https://pa.shetland.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QQ2S63OAGYY00

If Scotland is such a drain on England how come Westminster is so keen to keep hold of us? Independence can't come soon enough. If we had it now our fish could be sold in Europe, because Scotland voted against leaving the EU. "The clamour for Independence" has been going for much longer than Johnson has been in number 10. Scots don't want to be ruled by the Tories. It's as simple as that, and you can hardly blame them after the balls-up Johnson seems to be making of everything. Next step reducing workers rights - oh joy! Oh! And no nuclear bases in Scotland sounds like resu

I'm not sure just what to make of this but it sounds decidedly dodgy. From the linked article: If you know folks registered in England, they can opt out but IDK what the ramifications of doing just that are... but not getting targeted by American "medical" organisations could be one perk On the one hand I'm relieved it's only England and not completely not surprised it's happening under a Tory government on the other.

And he wasn't much liked there either even back then. Slimy little toad that he is.

And of course the immigrants !!!

I see Holyrood as giving us some [but not enough] isolation from dubious policies emitted from Westminster e.g. the epic levels of cronyism and billions going to mates pockets in private contracts for this, that and the other only for things to go chesticles-up. The SG is not perfect in getting everything right but the overall impression I get is one of trying to do the right thing by the country rather than themselves. Are any of your happy English friends in the medical / care professions? Are they happy about the Boris Boat, Boris Jet, the inability to give them more than a 1% pay rise

This current election , just like the last one in 2016, has come to be all about independence. It is sidelining the important issues, such as Scotland's slipping education standards. Really the sooner we put independence to bed, one way or another, the better. Then perhaps we could elect a competent government. At least, with covid, there shouldn't be a flag-waving, chanting mob at my local poll station this time. There has been no daily visits from the campaigners, which has been wonderful.

I agree, our representatives are wasting their breath there, instead of being ignored, ridiculed and treated with contempt they should come home and help Scotland run its own affairs as an independent country. Brexit Britain’s going backwards.

Its a pish stop for young eens cruisin in cars, a park up for shaggin wagons. Somebody probably a bit tanked up on falling down water and egged on by somebody, found a rattle can and thought it was a good idea (at the time) to leave a few 'Shock Jock' comments on a ruin. To be taken about as seriously as political pre-elections promises. Its a wind up, designed to get a 'reaction', because it was sure to, and it certainly has with the Flea wading in among all the kye and sheep sharn, that's on the floor below it. There's about as much chance of finding a pot of gold at the end of the

I'm no sure there's very much o it dat is convincing. I think racists shoot demselves in da foot when dey irna able to mak a case and joost repeat da same old bruck and come across as ignorant knobs!

There are very clever (racist) people on social media drip feeding their bile. Some of it is very convincing. Of course it happens on this platform too with anti-English comments.

vote anything bar the sort that hang around Westminster. Including Ian Blackford and his pals! They are, after all, politicians and in in for the glory and the power. I don't believe the greater majority are in it for the People. They just want a seat at the Lairds table.

An independent Scotland could learn a lot from the Scandinavians. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland all seem to have the balance between free market capitalism, a comprehensive welfare state and a unionised workforce spot on. Taxes are higher but quality of life from cradle to grave is streets ahead of what we have as part of the UK. All prosperous small to medium sized independent countries. Some of them even have massively populated countries on their southern border, just like Scotland. I bet if you asked a Dane or Finn if they would prefer to be a Northern region of Germany

I wonder how many people say that in public but vote for more 'selfishly' in the privacy of the voting booth. Thanks not an accusation BTW @Muckle Oxters. I'm sure you're a selfless pillar of the community!

Moot point. If we stay in the UK we have a debt, if we leave we have a debt, and almost every country has debt anyway. Furthermore, it depends on how the settlement is calculated if we leave. A relatively regularly used method (for example, in the case of post Soviet or Czech and Slovak republics separations) is done per head of population, which would see Scotland come out with a considerably lower level than England. This is quite a frivolous thing to say, although I'm sure it was done for effect rather than actually believing that Scotland's economy is based on whiskey, wind turbine

Whit cooch? I see nae cooch?

He seems to be under the illusion that the ‘block grant’ is a handout. He also conveniently forgets to mention that dozens of small independent countries manage to provide free healthcare without receiving imaginary handouts from Westminster. This bit doesn’t have an ounce of truth... “The SNP know full well that ‘independence’ will mean an end to the NHS as we know it. That’s why they don’t want to build Shetland a new hospital or pay for our MRI scanner” The use of the word “partitionist” made me spit out my coffee in a stifled laugh but apart from all that it was ok, the

From the fact that no one seems to be able to tell me about Scotlands supposed wealth I must conclude that it does not have much and if that is the case leaving the Union would make Scotland a poorer place and why would Scotland jump out of the Union into a far more unknown situation with the EU. We will most certainly not get independence by joining the EU. It would be much better for Scotland to stay in the Union and get more autonomy from Westminster. Do all you lets leave the Union people really believe that the EU will be nice to us and that a hard border with Scotlands biggest trading pa

I’m no fan of BJ and his pals, but I can’t help but wonder if their bullish behaviour on acquiring early vaccines has not been a godsend. I also wonder if an independent Scotland would have had the a)resources b) the will to go against EU advice. As GR said the fat lady is still to sing. I’m no fan of Scottish Independence either, but I have no doubt that Scotland has the potential to run itself financially, given Good governance. Scotland has(assuming Shetland stays in it) A huge fishing and fish farming industry, which properly managed will be sustainable. A v

Covid’s another example of the need for independence. As GR rightly points out the biggest risk right now is Covid variants, on this the scientists agree. So what do we do about it? How do we prevent or control potentially vaccine busting variants entering the country? Do we... a)Make all international arrivals quarantine for 14 days. Recommended by scientists. or b) Have an ineffective Red list of countries where international arrivals only have to quarantine if they’re coming from a listed country, as an example of how useless the list is, India was only added t

His own brother resigned saying, "In recent weeks I’ve been torn between family loyalty and the national interest”. Make of that what you will... His own sister had a go when Boris blurted out a show stopper about Jo Cox and Brexit, "It is particularly tasteless for those who are grieving a mother, an MP, a friend, to say that the best way to honour her memory is to deliver the thing which she and her family campaigned against". That's just his own family. For yet more examples of his straight talking, have a look at this compilation: And we've done the "all politicians lie

No, it's not far off it but I'm not a multimillionare so I'll buy it at the best price that I can - after Tesco have delivered it to me. Great, especially when the last bus comes in to me at 18.20, six days a week coz there's none on a Sunday. But not far off it, or so I've been old

^ The fat lady hasn't sung yet on the 'rona. An awful lot of folk worldwide have done and said things they may well yet live to regret (or die regretting) before its all over. New Zealand, and Scotland may yet see 'bodies pile high in their thousands' and there be nothing they can do to stop it.......just like 1918-20. While BJ's remark and attitude may well be 'ill-considered' given his position, it could also be argued that he is just being a realist and that he is being no more 'irresponsible' than those relying on closed borders to keep the virus out of countries and away fr

Price is definately a guide point when buying your dinner but, perversely, I find some of the cheaper tins of beans (from Tesco) taste better (to me) than the big brand names.. One man's meat.., I guess.. As XAM7102 pointed out, there is not much quality difference to choose with staples like pasta's/potatoes/etc. and Tesco often sells them for pennies. As for the Co-op; I don't find them much cheaper, if at all, than some country shops. They are just a big country shop in the middle of town..

I'm not going to try and justify that they're 'better in every way', even thiugh they very probably are. What I will point out though, is if you check out cheapest (by price tag) products which contain 'tomato sauce' of some sort, you'll find many of them 'bulk out' the tomato puree with fructose syrup. I'm not claiming to have any nutritionalist knowledge but if someone offers me a choice between liquidised tomatoes or concentrated fruit sugar, I'm not thnking I'll be picking the latter as being likely to feed me best.

Yes let a referendum happen but if it does the SNP will then spend many years trying to rejoin the EU and will not be focused on rebuilding Scotland. They have been in power for many years and if the figures etc are to be believed they have wasted billions ruined the education system etc but yes let us get away from the nasty English. For all the time that they have been in power their main objective has been independence, they could have done so much better.

If anybody out there thinks that Scotland and its people will be better off out of the Union you are living in cloud cuckoo land and are delusional.

I saw the first advert I had seen for an electric isles car a few weeks ago. £750 asking price. I canna wait for the next generation of Isles fixes. Yet another use for the trusty ZX Spectrum perhaps?

You can borrow my tin hat if you want... It's a bit thicker than most, and covers bits that others cannot reach..

Well, whaddya know....... 12 days after posting to this thread the SIC send me a letter that they're wanting to..... 'upgrade' the Dimplex storage heaters in my place. Random coincidence........or, do I need to cinch me tin 'at down a bit tighter to make sure it fits better cos Big Bruvva is watchin.

The Co-op was the only shop in Brae before it was expanded. In my opinion if the Co-op want to open a new branch in the Central Mainland they should do it in Tingwall. There is no shop there and it is expanding faster than Scalloway at the moment.

I tink dirs a lot o folk who privately would love a Co-op in dir area but dunna want to admit it publicly for fear o bein seen as disloyal tae dir local shop. Dirs been a few folk to me who have said how bad it is dat da Co-op wid be takin ower da village, but at da same time dey get Tesco home delivery. I tink becuase Sandwick is dat bit further awaa fae da Lerrick shops, and da Sandwick shop is peerier dan either o da two Scallowa shops, it's a bit different. But baith communities are expandin and haein a peerie supermarket might be joost whit dey need. Dirs a lot o folk on low inc

It's a bit of a mixed bag in that larger stores will bring more jobs, more choice and, on the back of that, reduce the number of trips to Lerwick. I can't help but feel it'll mean the end for the smaller shops, however. I'd certainly hope the Sandwick bakery would keep going... but the PO must surely be tied to the shop's fate. I just hope the Scalloway one doesn't sink!

To the best of my knowledge, the following are the usual times the Hyrdo storage heater supply is active (although I've noticed some variation depending on weather conditions) 01.30 to 03.30 08:00 to 11:00 16:30 to 17:30 22:00 to 24:00

@RugyDavy, the limitations you're describing are more the result of design of the 'old style' storage heaters and water tanks rather than supply times / tariffs. I've fitted many of them over the years, and they're inherently basic in principle and limited in terms of controllability - they convert electricity via a heating element into heat stored in either water or clay bricks - but it takes guesswork (and weather forecasting) to figure out where to set the storage heater input controls and water heater thermostats to ensure you'll have the right amount of stored heat and hot water for

I wasn't going to bother responding but, seeing as roachmill seems to be making a point os stalking/trolling my posts, and evil inky seems to making a point of stalking/trolling GR's posts, it's beginning to look like a conspiracy. Just an 'opinion' of course...

And that would, Colin, be a false claim. I don't know if folk are intentionally trying to take the hump, but expressing an opinion that not everyone agrees with is normal. Blurting out an ill though, inconsiderate, uninformed etc. opinion can and should be challenged - lest it be taken as factually correct.

We were lied to. Frictionless trade was just one of them. No downsides, only upsides was another. There were many more. There are no obstacles to bringing items into the UK. Trucks are just being waved through unchecked so that there is not more chaos at the ports than there already is. Some of this is temporary, but vet certificates, just one example, won’t be. The red tape isn’t going anywhere either. I would be happier eating more fish, especially if it gets cheaper.