A new landmark has appeared at the Scord – an 80 foot high electricity producing windmill – the first of its kind in Britain.

The cost of living in rural Shetland is the highest in Scotland. But Lerwegians have a slightly better time of it. These were the two conclusions from this year’s Rural Scotland Price Survey published by Mackay Consultants for the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

Two fires in Sandveien in the past three months have been caused by faulty street light cable which runs through the lofts of some of the houses.

Four Norwegians intent on re-living Viking times arrived in Lerwick harbour on Monday in their two small longships. They have almost completed a voyage round Britain without the aid of compasses or charts, radars, radios or any other modern equipment – just as the Vikings would have done.

Sullom Quarries are helping to lay a new pipeline in the North Sea which will eventually pump an extra 80,000 barrels of oil per day to the Sullom Voe Terminal.

Weekend discos and dances in rural halls providing entertainment for young people have been hit by withdrawal of buses from Lerwick.

The Arun for Aith campaign was given a boost on Wednesday when planning permission was granted for a new pier.

A new mast recently installed on Bressay should provide stereo radio in the autumn. It will also improve VHF radio reception on portable and car radios.

After many years on the drawing board the race to find a Shetland flag has started again in earnest. Shetland Tourist Organisation is leading the search for an island flag – and already two designs have emerged as front runners.

25 Years Ago
A public inquiry into plans for a nuclear reprocessing plant at Dounreay in Caithness was announced by the Government earlier this week.

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.

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.

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.