Scotland’s transport minister has defended NorthLink’s “very good record” running the north boats service following criticism from industry representatives and some councillors last week.…

Fuel company GB Oils has been accused of profiteering by increasing prices for petrol and diesel in Shetland in the run-up to the introduction tomorrow of the islands duty rebate.

The dramatic loss of salmon cages from a fish farm off Unst on Christmas Day is set to cost the owners around £2.8 million. Meridian Salmon’s parent company Morpol hopes nearly £1.5 million of the cost will be recouped from its insurers.

International rugby player Richie Gray, one of the shining lights of the game in Scotland, is due to visit Shetland on Friday.

Shetland Islands Council’s trading standards service is warning people to be wary of cold callers offering the installation of solar panels or other energy saving devices.

Postal ballot papers were issued on Tuesday to the 10,877 voters eligible in the forthcoming Crofting Commission elections to elect five new board members.

The legendary five-times world darts champion Eric Bristow has been added to the line-up for this summer’s SRT/Simpson & Ward Masters.

Shetland Islands Council’s grants unit awarded 31 awards totalling £132,438 during December and January.

Netball league leaders Team Rowley and Loungers both won in the first division at the weekend while Hotfooters were victorious in division two and Ness and Tingwall picked up wins in the third division.

The charity watchdog OSCR is not part of a conspiracy by the Scottish government to rob Shetland of its £200 million charitable trust, its chief executive David Robb insisted during a visit to the islands today.