A former Lerwick optician is suing his estranged wife and erstwhile business partner for more than £800,000, claiming that her actions after they went their separate ways
six years ago effectively left him out of work.

Brian Kelly, who with his wife Christine operated Kelly Opticians in the town’s Com­mercial Street for 20 years, is seeking the money because, he says, a court order taken out by her after their business partnership was dissolved in 2004 and he began operating as a sole trader had forced him to give up and leave Shetland.

New SIC chief executive Alistair Buchan came face to face with all councillors this week for the first time since taking up the post for what he described as “very positive” initial discussions about how to react to major criticisms in the Accounts Commission’s recent report on the local authority.

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Multiple Grammy winner Steve Earle, the outspoken singer-song­writer responsible for a host of classic Americana songs including Copperhead Road, Guitar Town and Galway Girl, will be stopping off in Lerwick next Thursday for a re-arranged show at Clickimin.

The Virginian-born erstwhile out­law is returning for what will be his second solo show in the isles. He had been due to appear for a sold-out gig here last December but an un­timely bout of freezing fog put paid to that, leaving him stranded in Inver­ness and prompting an exple­tive-laden curse, nine months on, at whoever was responsible for the siting of the city’s airport.

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Tom Jamieson could hardly have taken in just how big a part his pleasure-boat service to Mousa would play when he first started ferrying tourists to the isle in 1971.

The foundation of a new pilot scheme designed to subsidise home ownership for first-time buyers in the isles who are on low incomes was approved by councillors today.

Plans for a major development of 21 houses in Scalloway were once again recommended for refusal by the council’s planning board today.

One week we are told that SIC councillors are taking on board the criticisms of the Accounts Commission and the next week they seem to be trying to tell us – and maybe themselves – that the Accounts Commission does not understand the SIC accounts.

I have been reading that there are a small number of people that oppose the proposed Glenkirk and Tom Nan Clach windfarm sites in the Highlands.

Following the public hearing in June on the running of Shetland Islands Council, the Accounts Commission announced its findings and recommendations on 16th August 2010.

On behalf of all the students on the recent 2010 Fiddle Frenzy week, I would like to thank everyone involved in its planning and execution.