The Shetland Times Live

WATCH: Good cheer at Nesting for Up-Helly-A’

February 7, 2025 | 1.16pm

The Nesting and Girlsta Up-Helly-A’ has already been a roaring success.

The Guizer Jarl’s Squad has been keeping folk entertained, and the day has remained calm and clear – all of which should make for a great atmosphere when the main procession takes place tonight.

Power cuts in Unst, Yell and Lerwick

February 5, 2025 | 10.47am

Two power outages hit Shetland this morning — one in Lerwick, the other stretching across all of Unst and north Yell.

Together at least 700 homes lost power.

Though pupils sitting exams in Anderson High today fall under one of the outage areas, the school was unaffected, according to SSE and the council.

Both failures were caused by “a fault in our underground network” according to the energy company’s power tracker.

“These are not related and are on different parts of the network,” however, SSE said.

The Lerwick outage was reported a little after 3.30am today (Wednesday) and an engineer is currently on site. Despite SSE initially aiming to restore power by 11am, the cut is still in force at time of writing.

The larger cut across Unst and Yell was reported at roughly 10.15am and power has now been restored.

The Lerwick cut stretches over Anderson High, where pupils are sitting preliminary examinations today, but the school did not experience any cuts.

“Anderson High School has been unaffected by any power outages this morning,” the council said. “Classes and school activities have been as normal.”

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Lerwick Harbour welcomes new oil production from Penguins field 

February 4, 2025 | 4.06pm

Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) has welcomed the announcement of a new, floating facility to restart oil production at a deep sea field north-east of Shetland.

The Penguins field had ceased production four years ago, but operators Shell announced today (Tuesday) that oil is flowing again — courtesy of new wells and a “modern” floating, production, storage and offloading facility (FPSO), co-owned by NEO Energy.

“Being the closest hub port, we will be expecting to see service and supply vessels using Lerwick for Shell’s operations at the field,” said LPA Harbourmaster Captain Alexander Simpson.

“It is difficult to predict numbers at this stage but hopefully we will see some regular visitors.”

The facility will, Shell said, produce roughly 45,000 barrels of oil a day, as well as enough gas to heat 700,000 homes. The oil and gas giant said it hopes to extract from Penguins for another two decades.

While that oil will be refined overseas, and Penguins’ gas piped directly to the north-east of Scotland the activity is expected to bring more oil support boats into the harbour.

The number of oil rig supply and standby vessels calling in Lerwick dropped more than ten per cent last year, according to the LPA’s annual report — though dive support boats more than doubled, netting the harbour an extra £400,000, compared to 2023.

Shell claim operating the new facility will produce a third less emissions than the previous, standing platform.

“Today, the UK relies on imports to meet much of its demand for oil and gas,” said Zoë Yujnovich, Shell’s integrated gas and upstream director.

“The Penguins field is a source of the secure domestic energy production people need today, and the FPSO is a demonstration of our investment in competitive projects that create more value with less emissions.”

An ‘extremely potent’ drug is believed to be circulating in the isles

February 4, 2025 | 1.45pm

A drug referred to as “apples” is believed to be circulating in Shetland.

Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership warned on its Facebook page Orkney Alcohol & Drugs Partnership have reported the drug is being circulated and consumed in Orkney.

The partnership said it is believed the “extremely potent” drug is also circulating in Shetland. The drug “red apples” is believed to contain opioids.

The statement highlighted naloxone is a drug which can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

More information of naloxone provision in Shetland can be found here

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Two Shetland books shortlisted for national photography award

February 4, 2025 | 12.40pm

Two local photographers have been shortlisted for a national award celebrating nature, wildlife and landscape photography.

Wild Shetland through the Seasons, by Brydon Thomason and published by The Shetland Times, has made the list, along with Shetland Travel Guide, by travel writer, tour guide and Shetland Times columnist, Laurie Goodlad.

The Scottish Nature Photography awards are held every other year, and organisers are now asking readers to cast their votes for their favourite of 18 candidates.

In the books highlighted, photographers cast their lenses from the Hebrides and Highlands to the Cairngorms and Shetland.

Some of the books are presented as guides, others as studies of particular photographers and photographic techniques. All of them focus on Scotland’s natural world.

“The shortlist reflects a prolific two years of publishing in this genre,” said the award’s organisers.

“Covering diverse subjects and approaches, these books feature stunning photography that portrays aspects of Scotland interwoven with its nature, wildlife and landscape.”

Voting opened on Friday and closes Monday, 3rd March.

You can cast your vote here, and find copies of both Shetland-inspired books in The Shetland Times bookshop or online.

No ‘dispute’ between NHS Shetland and Lerwick Dental Practice 

February 4, 2025 | 12.14pm

There is no “dispute” between Lerwick Dental Practice and NHS Shetland – the director of dentistry has stressed.

Antony Visocchi has commented this week after “issues” were detected at Lerwick Dental Practice. 

Last week, Lerwick Dental Practice called for a public meeting to address its controversial move to discharge some of its NHS patients.

The practice stressed it had to deregister some of its NHS patients amid long-term delays in new dentists’ accessing their list numbers.

“If the director of dentistry did not withhold list numbers for new dentists to come to Shetland we would be able to see current patients and register more new NHS patients without any delay,” the post read. 

Following this post, NHS Shetland said in a statement it was continuing to “support” the practice as it works towards achieving its practice certificate.

The health board said this would then enable new NHS dentists to be listed at the practice.

Mr Visocchi emphasised there was not a “problem” or “dispute” between the health board and Lerwick Dental Practice.

However, he stressed it was “central” to his role he ensured anyone delivering NHS dental care in the isles does so to the “correct standard” and complies with all the checks and assurances the health board routinely looks for.

After it was agreed the practice’s three-yearly inspection would occur on 16th October, Mr Visocchi said some “issues” were detected.

“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the independent practice to maintain and provide a service that is fully compliant with a number of matters.

“These matters might be NHS regulations, infection control, clinical standards or health and safety requirements.

“Unfortunately, issues were found during the visit to the practice which meant the application process for the new dentist was paused until such a time NHS Shetland were satisfied the standards had been improved.”

Since this inspection, he said the health board has continued to work with the practice and set a date for a deadline for the completion of the inspection actions and requirements for 31st January.

Mr Visocchi said these actions and requirements had only been “partially completed” and a meeting is now being offered to “discuss the next steps”.

Read the full story in this week’s Shetland Times

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Japanese documentary crew want you and your gansey

February 3, 2025 | 1.27pm

Visitors to the newly-opened Lounge may have spotted a slightly sullen Japanese film crew last month.

In town to film a one-off documentary for a Japanese public broadcaster, the team had hoped to shoot footage of locals in their Fair Isle jumpers, but failed to find a single authentic gansey.

Not to be discouraged, director Mayumi Oxborrow and her crew will be back in Shetland this afternoon (Monday) to ask a favour.

“We would like people to come with their Fair Isle jumpers on,” said Ms Oxborrow.

The crew will be waiting for you and your favourite gansey from 3pm at Market Cross today. If the weather is poor, jumpers and their owners should meet at Lerwick Town Hall instead.

Under the working title UK Knitting Journey from the Past and the Present, the show is expected to air with Japan’s public media broadcaster, NHK, in March.

“We’re looking into the traditional, historical side of knitting but also exploring current trends,” Ms Oxborrow said.”

Especially after the pandemic, lots of people started or resumed knitting and find it mentally helpful. Knitting is also a symbol of love and hometown pride.”

Decades ago Ms Oxborrow visited Shetland with a different crew for another documentary, also about Fair Isle knitting.

“This time we even revisited some of our previous contributors who had appeared in our programme about the Fair Isle jumper around 30 years ago.

“We’ve been lucky to have been able to visit Fair Isle where the jumpers’ name comes from. There were some opportunities for us to film traditional food and music as well.”

This time the show will also include traditional knitwear from Guernsey, where the crew spent last week. Fair Isle yarn holds a unique place though, the director said.

“We felt that people in Shetland were very proud of fair isle knitting.”

Anyone feeling particularly proud of their jumper can find Ms Oxborrow this afternoon.

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NorthLink announces early Monday departures

February 2, 2025 | 2.38pm

Tomorrow’s (Monday) southbound NorthLink sailing from Lerwick will leave earlier than scheduled because of adverse weather, the ferry operator has announced.

Hrossey was due to depart the town at 7pm but poor conditions forecast for the evening has forced the operator to make changes to the schedule.

She will now leave at 5pm, two hours early, with a possible delay on arrival in Aberdeen by an hour.

The Met Office has forecast wind gusts could reach 50mph around 7pm in Lerwick.

Forecast wind speeds have also forced the freight vessel Helliar to leave an hour early and will now also leave Shetland at 5pm.

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The sport section preview

February 1, 2025 | 8.30am

George Robesten spoke to The Shetland Times about finally living the dream in Dingwall after making his first start for Ross County last weekend.

The Staggies starlet completed a full 90 minutes in the Premiership clash at the Global Energy Stadium against Leith side Hibs.

The forward became the first isles football player to reach the milestone in the modern Scottish top flight.

Elsewhere, Vidlin runner Layla Todd says she has set her sights on achieving more glory, after a strong start to 2025 and earning herself a chance to represent Scotland in the process.

Full results and reports from volleyball, netball and indoor hockey also feature in this week’s newspaper. 

And find out which 14-year-old netball star Rhianne Colvin has included in her Dream Team.

Read more in this week’s edition of The Shetland Times out now in shops.

Visit here to subscribe to a digital or print edition. 

NHS Shetland willing to work with Lerwick dental Practice

January 31, 2025 | 6.43pm

NHS Shetland is working alongside the Lerwick Dental Practice to maintain the levels of health service dentists in the isles, the health board has said.

It comes after the town dentists’ calls for a public meeting following a decision to deregister some of the national health patients.

In its own social media post, the health board said it was continuing to “support” the Lerwick Dental Practice as it works towards achieving its practice certificate, “which will enable new NHS dentists to be listed”.

NHS Shetland said the process had to be made to “meet specific standards, requirements, and responsibilities”.

“This inspection process began in October 2024 and is still ongoing.,” the health board said.

“NHS Shetland is providing assistance to Lerwick Dental Practice to help it achieve full compliance by the 31st January 2025 deadline. The list number application for a new dentist made by Lerwick Dental Practice has not been refused but the practice certificate assurance is a requirement for it to happen.”

It was “important to note” dentist provision in the isles was a challenge but NHS Shetland was committed to providing the universal service for patients.

The health board added: “We are working with our local MSP and the Scottish Government to find solutions to improve dental services in Shetland, whilst awaiting confirmation of Lerwick Dental Practice’s intent to delist patients.

“We will be reaching out to the practice to arrange a meeting to discuss next steps.”

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Anger voiced over ferry timetable changes 

January 31, 2025 | 5.00pm

Changes to Whalsay’s ferry timetable sparked controversy this week – causing a council U-turn on some of its sailings.

Whalsay’s ferry service will operate to a revised timetable for three weeks due to “unforeseen” dry docking delays of both the Linga and Fivla.

The Hendra will cover services on the the Whalsay route while the Filla will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Commuters were left angered after it was announced a 5.30pm sailing would be in place as opposed to the usual 5.55pm service from Laxo or Vidlin.

They stressed bus users would not be able to make the ferry in time, and therefore would have to wait at the terminal until the next sailing at 7pm.

The SIC was flooded with social media complaints where folk called the situation “chaos”, accused them of not consulting the community “as usual”, and stressed the council needed to do “a lot more” than just apologise for any inconvenience.

Following the backlash from commuters, the SIC announced the sailing would now take place at 5.45pm instead, and the next sailing would be at 7.15pm.

The SIC, in a statement, confirmed bookings had temporarily been suspended due to the changes to the timetable.

However, it said it was in the process of contacting passengers who had a booking to transfer them to a suitable time on the alternative timetable.

The council also admitted there was not a backup vessel in place if the Hendra or Filla was to break down during this period.

“We currently do not have a spare ferry, so we would consider the options at the time, depending on the nature of any breakdown, and the duration of any possible disruption,” it added.

In August, Whalsay commuters relying on the bus service were left stranded on two occasions while the Linga was out of service.

As the island’s smaller vessels are slower than the Linga, when the service diverted to Vidlin it was late in arriving at the terminal and the bus had left commuters behind.

This week the SIC’s environment and transport chairwoman Moraig Lyall said she has requested a “protocol” to ensure passengers were aware the bus may not be there when they arrive. “If the ferry is diverted to Vidlin, following the issues that occurred last year, I asked for a protocol to be put in place to ensure that – if the ferry was diverted and there was a chance that the bus may have departed before it docked – that passengers would be advised of this before boarding the ferry so that they could decide whether to travel or not,” she said.

Mrs Lyall added, in the case of any further issues, the service would be “adapted” to ensure as many people as possible have access to the services they require.

Read more in this week’s edition of The Shetland Times out now in shops.

Visit here to subscribe to a digital or print edition.

Is it the end of the green energy gravy train for Viking windfarm? 

January 31, 2025 | 12.36pm

The green energy gravy train is running out of steam for the Viking windfarm after its controversial constraint payments were slashed following public outcry.

Campaigners are claiming victory after the handouts to keep the turbines idle were reduced by around three quarters.

SSE came under fire soon after the windfarm went online last August when it emerged it had received a staggering £2.5m to stay switched off in the first month of operation.

The constraint payments – made by the National Electricity System Operator (Neso) to stop windfarms generating when there is insufficient network capacity – have come to symbolise all that is wrong at the heart of the industry.

And Viking Energy has suffered the brunt of that criticism.

SSE said it could comment on the reduction in payments as it was “commercially sensitive”.

“In general prices are set by generators on a number of factors to reflect reasonable costs incurred in providing services to the grid,” it said.

Read more in this week’s edition of The Shetland Times out now in shops.

Visit here to subscribe to a digital or print edition. 

NorthLink warns passengers of early Saturday departure

January 31, 2025 | 10.29am

NorthLink passengers have been warned of adverse weather departing the isles tomorrow as the southbound has been scheduled to depart earlier than originally planned.

The ferry operator announced that tomorrow’s (Saturday) sailing of Hrossey, bound for Aberdeen, would leave at 5pm.

She was originally scheduled to leave for the Scottish mainland at 7pm but an adverse weather forecast has forced the change.

Although skies are expected to be clear, the Met Office has warned of gusts as high as 50mph tomorrow evening.


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