Fears raised over airport parking difficulties on those living in the Outer Isles

A North Isles councillor has has expressed concern over the impact parking issues at Sumburgh Airport will have on those travelling from the Outer Isles.

NorthLink fares to soar by 10 per cent

Fares on NorthLink ferries will rise by 10 per cent in the New Year.

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the hike in a letter to Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston.

Mr Halcro Johnston, convener of the Scottish parliament’s cross-party group on islands, has hit out at the move.

He said: “The fare increase announced by the Scottish government in Edinburgh will be a disappointment to many island residents and an extra burden on the already substantial costs of travelling south.

“I am also aware of the frustrations many people still have with some parts of the service – pressure on cabin capacity and the pod lounges to name just two – and I hope real solutions can be found to address these and any other concerns.”

The MSP added: “We are fortunate here in the Northern Isles that Northlink provide a far more reliable service than Scottish Government-owned CalMac do on the West Coast routes.

“And in my experience, and in the experiences of most of those island residents and businesses I speak with, Northlink do engage more proactively and constructively about the services they provide with those local communities they serve.

““However, without significant investment in new replacement vessels – both on the Northern Isles routes and our internal ferries network – that risks changing”.

In her letter to Mr Halcro Johnston, the transport secretary said: “I am writing to inform you that there will be a 10 per cent increase in ferry fares for 2025-26, to be implemented on 1 January 2025 for the Northern Isles network.

“We know that any fares increase is unwelcome, but this is a necessary action to enable
continued investment in new vessels and infrastructure to support the services and ensure
that ferry services remain sustainable and available to our island communities.

“We froze ferry fares for 2023-24 instead of a 9.1 per cent inflationary increase in order to help
people, businesses and communities at the height of the cost of living crisis, and to continue
to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

“However, doing so meant that government effectively bore the loss of revenue in the longer term. In the current fiscal climate that loss, at £10 million a year, is too challenging to continue.

“Reluctantly, we are having to raise ferry fares in the coming year by 10 per cent, bringing fare levels
back to around what they would have been had fares not been frozen in 2023-24.

“This means, in real terms, fares have broadly increased in line with inflation over time. That will
help to partially recover the previous freeze, address some of the significant budget pressures and allow the continued support of the ferries network in future years.

“There have been sustained measures and investment by the Scottish government over time to keep ferry travel as affordable as possible. This increase will bring fares back in line with road equivalent tariff on Clyde and Hebrides services, which we know from the islands connectivity plan (ICP) consultation is something that island residents are keen to retain.

“Islander fares on Northern Isles routes were frozen from 2020 to 2024 along with a 20 per cent
reduction in cabin fares. We are continuing to review future ferry fares policy through the ICP.

“Taking a balanced approach of affordability to both ferry passengers and government is crucial to achieving a sustainable approach to ferry services that supports the future long-term viability of a public transport system that is accessible, available, and affordable for people throughout Scotland.”

Driver arrested after crash

A motorist was arrested following a one vehicle accident in Lerwick on Saturday night.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.40pm on Saturday, 12 October, we received a report of a one car crash on North Road, Lerwick.

“One man, the driver, was arrested in connection with road traffic offences and released pending further enquiries.”

Tributes to former First Minister Alex Salmond

Tributes are being paid following the sudden death of former First Minister Alex Salmond.

The former MP and MSP, who led the country as leader of the SNP between 2007 and 2014, has died aged 69, after taking ill while in North Macedonia.

Shetland South councillor Robbie McGregor said: “I would like firstly like to express my condolences to his wife,Moira, his wider family and his many friends in the Independence cause.

“His main legacy was to bring credibility to the SNP despite the well publicised fall outs over the last few years.”

The SNP councillor added: “He was a giant of a politician and I will always remember his quote:
‘The dream will never die.’

“I believe his lifetime dedication to Scottish Independence will eventually lead to Scotland taking its place as a nation in world affairs.

“On a personal basis I was lucky enough to meet him on many occasions and always found him to be great company and interested in what we talked about.”

Highlands and Islands List MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said: “I am shocked to learn of Alex Salmond’s death.

“He was a significant figure at both Holyrood and at Westminster for decades, and while I agreed with little of his politics, there is no doubting his commitment to the causes and constituents he served, nor of the influence he has had on Scottish political life. 

“My thoughts are with Moira, his family, friends and former colleagues. And with the many people from across my Highlands and Islands region who knew Alex and who will feel a sense of loss at his passing.”

It has been reported that Mr Salmond collapsed after making a speech in North Macedonia earlier today (Saturday).

He had led the SNP to power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007. He also led the campaign for independence in 2014.

POLL: Can offshore wind co-exist with fishing industry? 

Politicians and industry representatives debated the impact of offshore wind on the fishing sector over recent days.

In this week’s Shetland Times

In today’s (Friday, 11th October) edition of The Shetland Times:

• EXCLUSIVE: The SIC could spend almost £200k on mothballed school.
• Dogs Against Drugs petition heard in Holyrood.
• North Isles left without emergency cover.
• Tributes paid to Dougie Leask.
• Rise of assaults on police officers alarming.
• Questions over future of the Lounge.
• Fishing executive warns fleet could be blown away by offshore renewables.
• New study reveals large proportion of Shetlanders carry deadly gene.
• SPORT: Report of first women’s inter-county football match in decade.