Entire family travelled to Shetland  while infected with Covid-19

A family of four sailed into Lerwick on a NorthLink ferry having all tested positive for Covid-19, according to a transport official.

Power black out in South Mainland as essential work is carried out

Power engineers are working on restoring power following a black out in parts of the South Mainland.

Four Covid cases highlighted in latest figures

There have been four new cases of coronavirus in the isles today [Wednesday], according to the latest figures.

Data compiled by the Scottish government shows 25 cases in the latest seven days total.

There have been a total of 1,058 Covid cases in the isles since the crisis began.

NorthLink gives update on weather disruption

NorthLink’s southbound sailing will not call into Kirkwall this evening because of the poor weather.

The ferry operator says the Hjaltland will sail directly to Aberdeen from Lerwick.

She is expected to sail from the Holmsgarth terminal at 8pm, two and a half hours later than normal.

The vessel is expected to arrive in Aberdeen at 9am tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Hrossey is due to begin her northbound voyage from Aberdeen at 7pm.

Services on the Pentland Firth are expected to operate to the scheduled timetable today (Wednesday).

However, the northbound freight sailing of the Hildasay from Aberdeen has been called off. She had been due to sail for Lerwick at 6pm.

She is now expected to sail to Kirkwall on 1am tomorrow (Thursday).

The Helliar is meanwhile expected to sail to Lerwick from Aberdeen tomorrow at 6pm.

Eight new Covid cases reported

There have been eight new cases of coronavirus in the isles today (Tuesday), according to the latest Scottish government figures.

The new figures bring the latest seven day total to 25.

A total of 1,054 coronavirus cases have been reported in the isles since the pandemic began.

Hospitality students get creative juices flowing

Hospitality students have helped spread festive cheer with an impressive spread.

They sold pancakes, waffles and fruit juice they had made in their Skills for Work course at Shetland UHI.

The Skills for Work courses offer a chance to acquire hands on practical skills that could help young people secure a job in the future.

Courses are chosen by high school pupils in S2 and completed in S3 and/or S4.

The S4 students – Daniel Percival, Timothy Li, Simone Anderson, Logan Ruthven, Sawitree Chaiyarat and Joe Kent – came up with the idea to host an event at the Lerwick campus canteen called It’s a Flippin’ Juice Bar.

Lecturer Raymond Smith said: “The team did an excellent job of planning and organising the Flippin’ Juice Bar and got to practice important real life roles and responsibilities required in a working environment.

“Their ideas ranged from a sit down breakfast to a Scottish brunch, but they decided on their Flippin’ Juice stall because the idea of healthy tropical seasonal fruits served with the options of waffles and pancakes really appealed to them.”

NorthLink services face disruption due to weather

NorthLink has issued an early disruption warning to its customers, with both north and southbound sailings tonight [Tuesday] cancelled.

The ferry operator says weather forecasts indicate the possibility of disruption until Thursday.

Hjaltland’s southbound sailing on Wednesday is also in doubt, with a stop-off in Kirkwall under review and highly likely to be cancelled.

Should that be the case, the vessel is expected to depart Lerwick at 9pm and sail direct to Aberdeen.

But her arrival there may be subject to weather related delays, and she may not berth until mid-morning on Thursday.

The forecast has also had an impact on freight services.

Cargo vessel Helliar was due to leave Aberdeen for Kirkwall and Lerwick at 3pm today, but this sailing has also been called off.

Helliar is now expected to depart Aberdeen sailing for Lerwick at 6pm on Thursday.

Pentland firth crossings are also facing disruption.