Rugby player takes on fundraising marathon
A rugby player will complete a half-marathon in Lerwick as part of a gruelling year-long running challenge to raise money for charity.
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Rugby player takes on fundraising marathon
A rugby player will complete a half-marathon in Lerwick as part of a gruelling year-long running challenge to raise money for charity.
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Swan heads for Western Isles
The Swan has been dispatched to the Western Isles for a month of youth sail training and public trips.
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Jim Wallace to be succeeded as Kirk moderator
A former isles MP’s time as Kirk moderator ends today [Saturday] as the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly gets under way in Edinburgh.
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Museum film to celebrate the life of Johnnie Notions
A short film is being created to celebrate projects that evoke curiosity by creatively exploring science.
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LATEST BOOKS FROM THE SHETLAND TIMES BOOKSHOP
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The Shetland Bus
Our bestseller now reprinted for a fifth time. A classic story of secret wartime missions across the North Sea. Dark winters provided the perfect cover for missions to occupied Norway …
£7.99FIND OUT MOREOur bestseller now reprinted for a fifth time. A classic story of secret wartime missions across the North Sea. Dark winters provided the perfect cover for missions to occupied Norway …
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My Journey Home: Memoirs of a Shetland Exile
James Pottinger’s travels from his birthplace in a croft house in pre-war Burra have taken him full circle and he is “home” again, after a career in engineering, the merchant …
£9.99FIND OUT MOREJames Pottinger’s travels from his birthplace in a croft house in pre-war Burra have taken him full circle and he is “home” again, after a career in engineering, the merchant …
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Shetland Flowers
A pocket-sized photographic guide to the wild flowers you might come across during a Shetland summer. Over 170 species organised by colour with notes on habitat and hints to aid …
£10.99FIND OUT MOREA pocket-sized photographic guide to the wild flowers you might come across during a Shetland summer. Over 170 species organised by colour with notes on habitat and hints to aid …
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Grottie-Buckie an Tirli-Wirli
Grottie-Buckie lives alone in his little old house with only the company of mouse Tirli-Wirli, with whom he shares his food and conversation. Tirli-Wirli feels sorry for Grottie-Buckie, who has …
£7.99FIND OUT MOREGrottie-Buckie lives alone in his little old house with only the company of mouse Tirli-Wirli, with whom he shares his food and conversation. Tirli-Wirli feels sorry for Grottie-Buckie, who has …
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Fair Isle Designs from Shetland Knitters Volume 2
Following the huge success of Volume One, the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers are back with 12 new designs. Patterns range from peerie projects to full size …
£21.99FIND OUT MOREFollowing the huge success of Volume One, the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers are back with 12 new designs. Patterns range from peerie projects to full size …
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Kirstie's Witnesses
In the hungry 1840s, the town of Lerwick is struggling with massive social problems, and Kirstie Jamieson, widow, is trying to feed three children. Like the town she lives in, …
£8.99FIND OUT MOREIn the hungry 1840s, the town of Lerwick is struggling with massive social problems, and Kirstie Jamieson, widow, is trying to feed three children. Like the town she lives in, …
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1915 War
Following on from 1914 Peace and War. Extracts from the Shetland Times. Compiled by Gordon Johnston Paperback 236 pages …
£19.99FIND OUT MOREFollowing on from 1914 Peace and War. Extracts from the Shetland Times. Compiled by Gordon Johnston Paperback 236 pages …
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Knitting By the Fireside and on the Hillside
A History of the Shetland Hand Knitting Industry 1600-1950 First published 1995. This facsimile edition first published 2021. This book traces the history of the Shetland hand knitting industry from …
£9.99FIND OUT MOREA History of the Shetland Hand Knitting Industry 1600-1950 First published 1995. This facsimile edition first published 2021. This book traces the history of the Shetland hand knitting industry from …
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Spy Fever. The Post Office Affair
A remarkable true story of the events surrounding the unexplained incarceration of the entire staff of the Lerwick Post Office at the beginning of the First World War. …
£14.99FIND OUT MOREA remarkable true story of the events surrounding the unexplained incarceration of the entire staff of the Lerwick Post Office at the beginning of the First World War. …
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Treasure Islands: True Tales of a Shipwreck Hunter
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£9.99FIND OUT MOREAlex Crawford has dived countless wrecks and is one of the pioneers of deep-water recovery. In this book he captures all the drama and danger of his most thrilling dives. …
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Blood in the Oil
The Queen is coming to Shetland to officially open the giant Sullom Voe Oil Terminal and security services have got wind of an IRA plot to assassinate her. The week …
£12.99FIND OUT MOREThe Queen is coming to Shetland to officially open the giant Sullom Voe Oil Terminal and security services have got wind of an IRA plot to assassinate her. The week …
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Shetland Calendar 2023
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£6.99FIND OUT MOREAnother stunning collection of scenic photographs, majestic coastlines, wild seas and breath-taking views, to take you through the year. Featuring key moments in the Shetland year and a “word o …
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UPDATED: Man airlifted to hospital after fall from cliff
A man is recovering in hospital after an incident this afternoon in Sandwick.
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‘High visibility’ patrols due in Lerwick
Police have said they will be carrying out “high visibility patrols” in parts of Lerwick following reports of anti-social behaviour.
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Cleaners at Shetland Cleaning Services
Morning Cleaner Lerwick 4 mornings 7.30-11.00am Evening Cleaners Mon-Fri 1.5 hrs per night Tue & Thu 1.5 hrs per night These vacancies have flexible starting…
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Various vacancies at Shetland Islands Council
We have a number of vacancies for various hours at locations throughout Shetland. Jobs on offer this week include… • Senior Social Worker – Lerwick…
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Sumburgh, Shetland. FULL TIME
Operational Assistant at Sumburgh Airport
Looking for a new role that’s busy, varied and interesting? Do you have strong attention to detail and concentration skills even when working under pressure?…
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Lerwick, Shetland. PART TIME
Estate Support Worker at Hjaltland Housing Association
Registered Scottish Charity SC 031954 Part Time Permanent Position (approx. 23 hours per week) Salary on a scale TAS1 (Grade 1) £20,248 Pro Rota (£11.13…
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Shetland. FULL TIME
Reporter at The Shetland Times
The Shetland Times is looking for an enthusiastic reporter to join its busy newsroom in Lerwick. Whether newly-qualified or with years of experience, you must…
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Lerwick, Shetland. PART TIME
Cleaning Operative at NorthLink Ferries
Lerwick Working Week: 24 hours per week NorthLink Ferries are currently recruiting for Cleaning Operatives to join our team in Lerwick, specifically to ensure a…
Most northerly post office decorated to mark Queen’s Jubilee
The UK’s most northerly post office is getting ready to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Baltasound postmistress Valerie Johnson has pulled out all the stops to decorate the branch with bunting and flags to mark the milestone.
Ms Johnson, who has been postmistress for 24 years, said of the decision: “I do like the royal family, especially the Queen, so I wanted to make sure that I decorated my branch.
“The Queen is a great figurehead. She has seen so much change in her life and she has always been there for us.”
A new sign has also been installed, proclaiming “Britain’s Most Northerly Post Office”, and Ms Johnson believes that this will prove popular with tourists.
In this week’s Shetland Times
In today’s (Friday, 20th May) edition of The Shetland Times:
- Exclusive – Solo ferry passengers are being treated as ‘second class citizens’.
- Tributes have been paid to Alister Smith, the long-time owner of R.W Bayes shop on Commercial Street in Lerwick, who died this week.
- Crunch talks were held yesterday between Lerwick Port Authority and 12 harbour workers who are set to start an overtime ban next week.
- Another historic milestone was marked in Unst for the SaxaVord Spaceport.
- The build-up to next weekend’s Relay for Life has begun, with a concert at the Big Kirk in Lerwick on Wednesday.
- ARTS – Shetland’s tasty delights prove tempting for top celebrity chefs.
- SPORT – Spurs lifted the first outdoor hockey cup of the season, claiming The Dowry Grutness cup last Thursday.
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Hjaltland Housing
HAS AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED APPLICANTS • Two bedroom house in Hill Grind, Lerwick We have a two bedroom, three person, single storey, semi-detached house available…
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Hjaltland Housing
HAS AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED APPLICANTS • Two bedroom house in North Heathery Park Gulberwick We have a two bedroom, three person, single storey, detached house…
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Redundant Pumphouse site at Scousburgh
Award-winning group is food for thought in hard times
Efforts to provide food for those most in need have resulted in special recognition for Shetland Islands Council.
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Pupils and Vikings celebrate spaceport’s latest historic milestone
A ground preparation celebration was held today (Wednesday) marking yet another milestone in the journey towards the UK’s first vertical satellite launch.
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Commercial Street stalwart dies
Tributes have been pouring in for Alister Smith, the long-time business owner of R.W. Bayes who has died.
Living Lerwick announced his passing on its social media pages, offering its condolences.
He, along with business partner Neil Anderson, had ran the shop for four decades.
Hundreds of people have reacted to the post with dozens commenting on Da Street’s loss.
Mike Grundon commented: “So sorry to hear this. Alister was a familiar sight on the street. An old-school shopkeeper from a fading era. My condolences to all his friends, family and colleagues.”
While Jane Harper Laverty added: “He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, sincere condolences to all the family.”
Yell to be ‘carbon neutral island’
Yell has been named as one of six islands to be carbon neutral by 2040.
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Spot the difference as BAM Nuttall trials four-legged robot on Viking site
A new worker has joined BAM Nuttall’s team in Shetland – a four-legged robot named Spot.
The construction company said it had successfully trialled the Trimble X7 laser scanner using a private 5G network for remote control, in the first use of its kind.
Boston Dynamics’ robot Spot uses specially adapted 3D laser scanning equipment to collect data and create site records.
BAM Nuttall said that given Shetland’s harsh weather conditions, challenging terrain, and isolated location, remote operation was critical to the trial’s success, as it proved the robot could take on days of manual surveying work and operate in areas and conditions hazardous to people – without operators needing to be on site or even travel to Shetland.
Head of innovation Colin Evison said: “This is just the start of our journey with Trimble and Boston Dynamics.
“As we face a skills shortage, become more in tune with the wellbeing of our people, and strive for more diversity, Spot has a number of benefits to safety and job design.
“This is all in addition to improvements to the efficiency and accuracy of our work.”
In this week’s Shetland Times
In today’s (Friday, 13th May) edition of The Shetland Times:
- Exclusive – Almost 100 anti-social behaviour cases have been lodged in three years – leading to “devastating” effects on victims’ lives.
- A Skerries man is digitising thousands of photos from the 18-1900s after finding them during a clean-up of his grandparents home.
- Police say they received “intelligence” there was likely to be disorder and anti-social behaviour during February’s Old Firm match between Celtic and Rangers. Additional officers were on patrol during the game.
- There’s two pages of election coverage as Shetland picks its new councillors.
- MSP Beatrice Wishart has backed calls for the Scottish government to increase the air fare discount for islanders.
- The Shetland Times takes a look at the new Hays Dock by the Dowry restaurant, as manager Stuart Fox talks about his future plans.
- ARTS – Former Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble speaks about his latest gigs in the isles, and looks back on 20 years of Shetland concerts.
- SPORT – Spurs beat Ness to lift the Manson Cup, and there’s reports from two junior football inter-counties, hockey, athletics, golf, angling and the Jake Porter duathlon.
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Voxter Outdoor Centre
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Braeview Cottage
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Ortolan House B&B
Large Georgian family townhouse dating from the 1780s, situated in the leafy conservation lanes area of central Lerwick, overlooking the harbour. Ideal location for town centre and harbour and ru…
WATCH: Wildlife haven leaps into life
Spring has brought Da Gairdins at Sand leaping into life.
The three ponds are bubbling with thousands of tiny tadpoles.
It looks like it won’t be too long before froglets will be calling the wildlife haven a pad of their own.
Visitors will soon have to tread carefully!
Meanwhile May has seen Da Gairdins bursting into colour as the rhododendrons come into bloom.
Story trail helps mark Queen’s jubilee
A new initiative aims to make shopping on the street easier for families, while marking the Queen’s platinum jubilee at the same time.
From today [Saturday] Living Lerwick is running a free story trail in Lerwick town centre.
The trail is designed to allow families choose what happens in the story, and can be accessed using a Smartphone.
It involves fictional characters who supposedly “come to life” from Buckingham Palace, and gone on a trip to Lerwick.
The idea is to encourage families to go to the street to enjoy a safe, fun and still socially distanced event.
For more details, visit the Living Lerwick website.
Pupils take part in Voar Redd Up
School pupils in the North Mainland have pledged to do all they can for the environment.
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In this week’s Shetland Times
In today’s (Friday, 22nd April) edition of The Shetland Times:
- Election candidates have set out their stalls to voters ahead of next month’s council elections. Fuel poverty and the cost of living crisis were highlighted as the top priorities for new members.
- A college lecturer has said it is “absolutely galling” for them to have to walk out on students in a row over pay.
- A local author penned a humorous poem to Loganair after they lost his luggage – and received both his belongings, and a poem, in return.
- Up to 4,000 tonnes of hazardous waste could be set to be burned at the energy recovery plant each year to help heat Lerwick homes.
- Exclusive – Foula was almost left without electricity this week before an intervention from MP Alistair Carmichael. HMRC had refused red diesel for the island, despite previously saying they could get it, while Foula was desperately low on fuel.
- ARTS – We look ahead to next week’s Shetland Folk Festival, and photographer May Graham takes about her next project.
- SPORT – Ness United clinched the first silverware of the season in the Highland Fuels cup – and could set up a second final showdown with Spurs in the Manson Cup.
- SPORT – Plus there’s hockey, rugby, swimming, squash, cycling, bowls and netball.
Historic Swan takes a tow
The 120-year-old former herring drifter, the Swan, caused quite a stir last night (Monday) after she was helped back to harbour by the Lerwick lifeboat crew.
The sail training vessel was actually assisting the RNLI with a training exercise which the crew described as a “valuable experience”.
During the evening exercise, the crew practised attaching lines before taking her under tow and bringing her safely alongside in Lerwick harbour.
At 67-feet long, the Swan is longer than Lerwick lifeboat’s 55-feet Severn-class lifeboat and considerably heavier, with a deeper draught so took some gentle handling to bring her back to the berth.
Skipper of the Swan, Maggie Adamson, is also a member of the lifeboat crew and helped co-ordinate the exercise.
Two homes to feature in BBC series
Two very different but equally homely houses will be under the spotlight tonight (Monday) in the new series of BBC show Scotland’s Home of the Year.
The homes are at opposite ends of the historical spectrum.
Caroline and John Tait live in a relatively new build in Levenwick while Shona and Allen Skinner’s crofthouse in Cullivoe dates back to 1860.
They will go up against a third house, in Orkney, to be crowned regional champion and make it to the series final.
Caroline and John moved in in 2017 and the house features a large open plan kitchen diner come living space, two bathrooms and three bedrooms including a master with walk-in wardrobe and en suite.
It also has a view looking out to sea that Caroline says “is beautiful, we just love it”.
They share the home with sons Lewis and Harry and Harry’s girlfriend Lauren.
City dweller Shona and husband Allen moved into their renovated croft house 11 years ago after originally deciding to keep it as just a holiday home.
The history and beauty of the place, however, tempted the couple even though Shona thought London would always be home and she “could never imagine myself living in Shetland”.
Its provenance dates back generations as Shona explains: “The house belonged to my great-grandparents. It started life literally as a but ’n ben.
“In about 1916 they decided to put two extra bedrooms on. Then about 30-years ago the house was offered to my father.”
The programme will air on BBC 1 at 8.30pm with neither couple privy to how they, or their homes will come across.
Shona said: “I am quite nervous, I think anybody would be.
“You are exposing what you think is your fabulous home to the whole country and beyond.”
Caroline added: “I think we will have a wee bit of a party the night the programme airs, have a few glasses of champagne and see how it goes.
“I might watch, I might hide behind the couch, we’ll see.”
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