Many Shetlanders have welcomed the announcement by the Postmaster-general that he has approved, in principle, the second stage of the B.B.C.’s plans for extending and improving the coverage of the T.V. and V.H.F. service by building additional low-power satellite stations in various parts of the country – Shetland included.

For the second time in 25 years Shetland is celebrating the return of “exiles” from many parts of the world. For all of them it is the culmination of many months of planning, saving and dreaming. One wonders whether the reality will correspond with that dream!

Late last month, the Scottish government’s chief scientist, Professor Anne Glover, was in Shetland to discuss the threat of global warming and the efforts to reduce carbon emissions. According to Professor Glover, Shetlanders have the ideas and, hopefully, the enthusiasm to be pioneers in the fight against climate change.

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.

Graham Watson tells the story of a dramatic rescue operation, and of the warm hospitality shown to stranded Russian seamen at the height of the Cold War.

A fictional story, based on accounts of the sixern disaster of July 1881, by Sandy Peterson

“So, Robbie boy, hoo did it go da day at da regatta? I gadder fae dy grumpy face – an’ da racket du’s makkin’ – dat hit mebby didna go as weel as du widda wanted.”

With all the talking points of contemporary Shetland life, whether it be the debates on wind farms, the blue print for education and Dave Clark, or the arrival of Tesco, Mareel and Simon King, the most significant thing to happen to Shetland since Sullom Voe was built has gone unnoticed: Sumburgh Airport now has a cappuccino machine! Yes, I know that’s a typical metrocentric incomer attitude to have but for us ex-city kids the cappuccino is our reestit mutton bannock.

A voar highlight is frogs gadderin in da loch tae laeve dir spawn. For me hit’s a novelty, dey wir niver dere when I wis a young trow. Frogs hiv been in Shetland for little ower a hunder year. Dat’s why we’ve nae Shetland name for dem.

Suppose Norway wanted Orkney and Shetland back? Lord Saltoun, Laird of Fraserburgh, asked the House of Lords on Tuesday when all parties welcomed the Highlands and Islands Shipping Services Bill which will allow the Government to finance two ships to maintain communication with the outer isles of Orkney.

Walls have ears and if only stones could speak what stories they could tell. When I go round old houses, whether they are ruinous, lived-in or converted into Folk Museums, as so many are nowadays, they produce different feelings in me – the sadness of Lund, the excitement of Tankerness House in Kirkwall and the beautiful gardens peeping at me through the windows, and my amazement at the converted farm buildings in Voss in Norway with its many buildings in their natural setting and showing all the toil and fun in the life of a small community between 1700 and the 1920s.

WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR SHETLAND

Thursday, 29 July 2010 at 11:25

HEADLINES

TODAY: PATCHY DRIZZLE, BRIGHTER SPELLS
TONIGHT: CLOUDY, SOME DRIZZLE
TOMORROW: SOME BRIGHTNESS, RAIN LATER
DAYS 2-5: RAIN THEN SCATTERED SHOWERS
DAYS 6-10: CHANGEABLE

What’s on in Shetland in July 2010

What’s on in Shetland in August 2010 and on