Tribute paid following death of Half Way House resident

An elderly woman who stayed in one of Shetland’s best-known houses has died at the age of 88.

Police officers found the body of Charlotte Robertson at her Sand Water home last Monday after concerns were raised.

Miss Robertson had stayed in the house – widely known as the Halfway House – since the 1950s.

A Police Scotland statement read: “We received report of concern for person at a property in the Sand Water area of Shetland around 12.40pm on Monday, 18th October, 2021.

“Officers attended and the body of an 88-year-old woman was found within.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and, as with all sudden deaths, a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”

Miss Robertson was regarded as a very private person, but featured last year on the anti-windfarm Facebook page Save Shetland after it emerged eight of the 103 Viking Energy turbines would be sited within two kilometres of her home.

Viking Energy said at the time that it had maintained regular contact with Miss Robertson, and had sought to offer ongoing help and support.

This week Save Shetland’s Ernie Ramaker said: “Save Shetland are very saddened to hear of Lottie’s passing. We visited on several occasions and she was a lovely, private person. We extend our sympathy to her family.”

VIDEO: Watch as rescued seal is released

A seal pup rescued from a bay in Aberdeen has been released here in the hope it will make its way back to Arctic waters.

The ringed seal, a species normally spotted off Greenland and Norway, has spent eight weeks being cared for by the Scottish SPCA and was flown up to Shetland yesterday (Friday) by the charity Civil Air Support.

The male seal, which has been named Hispi, was released at Cross-voe-sand in Northmavine this morning after spending the night at Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary.

Hispi was rescued from Cove Bay Harbour last month after British Divers Marine Life Rescue raised the alarm.

• For the full story see next week’s edition of The Shetland Times.

In this week’s Shetland Times

In today’s (Friday, 22nd October) edition of The Shetland Times:

• Isles MP Alistair Carmichael reveals he has received death threats, while MSP Beatrice Wishart says she had been on the receiving end of “vile” abuse.

• Isles man Mark Toka has been left feeling “extremely happy” after winning a £126,000 BMW – plus £20,000 in cash.

• The row over two controversial new Co-ops has entered a new phase with news the Sandwick store has been approved.

• Tribute has been paid to the last Shetland Bus man, who has died at the age of 101

• It’s a happy birthday to the Trondra and Burra bridges, which have celebrated their 50th anniversary.

• Plastic pollution has been described as an increasingly serious problem for isles birds after several reports of dead gannets being found.

• Find out how to create a ‘spooktacular’ look in our Hallowe’en feature.

• SPORT: A fresh drive is under way to secure a new dedicated location for isles gymnasts to hone their skills.

More delays to NorthLink sailings

NorthLink has warned of further disruption to its Thursday night sailings.

Passengers travelling on the MV Hrossey from Aberdeen tonight may only arrive in Kirkwall two hours later than scheduled.

Tonight’s MV Hjaltland sailing from Lerwick is expected to be unaffected.

Both of the freight sailings could be subject to delays, however.

NorthLink said the MV Helliar may be subject to some delays in her arrival into Aberdeen Harbour tomorrow (Friday), while the MV Hildasay may arrive into Lerwick three or four hours later than scheduled.

Woman assaulted at public hall in Lerwick

A man is alleged to have assaulted a 39-year-old woman in Lerwick.

Police Scotland said the alleged assault happened at around 9pm on Monday at Staney Hill Public Hall.

Inspector Sam Greshon of Lerwick police station said:  “A number of witnesses have told us that a car drove past whilst the incident was ongoing, however we have been unable to trace the driver of that car, unfortunately we don’t have a make or model.

“I would appeal to the driver to come forward as you may have witnessed the incident or captured it on dash-cam.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 0720 of 19th October.”