In the past few years, the internet has spawned a dazzling array of opportunities for anyone with a desire to waste their time and money. Computer users are offered an ever-increasing choice of cyber-hobbies, social networking sites and online procrastination options, each of which allows us to disconnect just a little bit more from the real world and the real people around us.

Da Gairdins, Sand, is one of Shetland’s best-kept gardening secrets. The plantings were begun by Alan and Ruby Inkster almost 20 years ago, and include woodland, a wild-flower meadow, ponds, native planting and southern hemisphere collections.

The last steam-powered herring drifter in the world has recently undergone major restoration work, and a few weeks ago travelled under steam from Lowestoft to Great Yarmouth. Mick Harrod tells the story.

From the outside, it doesn’t look like a firm with the UK patent for the architect’s favourite recycled floor-covering. A green agricultural shed with a smaller shed behind it; a muddy track, and what looks like a large pile of grey-green pebbles.

Chris Cope examines the dilemma that he and other graduates face after college or university: return to Shetland or stay away?

James W. Irvine recalls another Hamerfarin, 50 years ago, and the part he played in organising that celebration.

Even at my age I am extremely pleased to see in The Shetland Times that preparations for this year’s Hamefarin, from 14th to 26th June, are going ahead with clear enthusiasm and considerable ambition. This time there is a very significant number of people coming from all over the world. I have no doubt that this period of nearly a fortnight will be a time for the visitors to treasure, but it will also be an occasion for Shetlanders to recall with a great deal of pleasure. I say this with certainty for I have very clear and pleasant memories of the first Hamefarin, 50 years ago. At the risk of boring some of my readers, I will share some of my memories with you.

Marsali Taylor visits Whalsay to learn more about the island’s fascinating history.

Approaching Whalsay’s south-west corner, you see a rounded, green island with a long scattering of houses across it, and, in front, the metallic white superstructures and coloured bows of boats behind the breakwater. The houses are mostly new-looking; above them, to the left of the fishing boats, is Symbister Mansion House. On the right of the island is a squared, greened-over quarry, where stones were taken for the breakwater. Before it, the long cream building is the fish factory.

While the rest of us had the opportunity this month to exercise our right to vote, young folk all over the country had to sit back and watch helplessly as we once again made the wrong decisions. But though the Westminster and Holyrood parliaments will both legislate on behalf of those under 18, and without hearing their views at the ballot box, it is not entirely true to say that young people do not have a voice within the political process.

As soon as war was declared, the Shetland Women’s Suffrage Society formed the Emergency Helpers, with the SWSS Chairman, Harriet Leisk, as convenor, and Jessie Mitchell as the first secretary/treasurer. The group had a committee of 17, and 50 other women were registered as helpers, all from Lerwick. They met on Saturdays from 4pm to 8pm in the old Post Office on Commercial Street.

Last month, J. Laughton Johnston argued that the Viking Energy windfarm offers many benefits for Shetland. But James Mackenzie remains unconvinced. here, he outlines the ongoing environmental and economic concerns that many share about the project.

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.