Coastguard aid oil rig worker
A person was transferred to hospital from an oil rig southeast of Shetland this evening (Sunday). The call to coastguard was made before 6pm and…
A person was transferred to hospital from an oil rig southeast of Shetland this evening (Sunday). The call to coastguard was made before 6pm and…
Even the Grinch was unable to steal the festive cheer from the crowd that lined the streets of Lerwick to see Santa this afternoon (Saturday)….
Surprise was the thought on Mandy Henderson’s mind when she realised she had won the Lifetime Endeavour award at last night’s (Friday) Shetland Sports Awards…
There should be more action to help families heat homes over the winter, Alistair Carichael said to mark Fuel Poverty Awareness Day on Thursday. The…
Pioneering research is being carried out to save a traditional Shetland crop and the unique crafts it sustains.
READ FULL STORYThe winners of the Shetland Sports Awards 2023 were revealed tonight (Friday) – with Seamas MacKay named sportsperson of the year and hockey sweeping the boards in several categories.
Seamas had a magnificent year, topped off with a silver medal at 1,500 metres at the Island Games in Guernsey this summer. Runners-up were athletes Katie Dinwoodie and Michelle Sandison.
Hockey was prominent at tonight’s awards ceremony held at the Clickimin Leisure Centre in Lerwick.
Shetland ladies hockey team were named team of the year after a hugely successful year, winning the Scottish District Cup and beating rivals Orkney 6-0 in the inter-county after 20 years. Runners up were the men’s football team and table cricket.
Derek and Brenda Leask won coach of the year as a result of hockey’s success, with football’s Neil Fenwick and girl’s rugby Tommy Robertson coming in as runners up.
Hockey also saw success in the young team of the year, beating Orkney in the inter-county.
Runners-up were Lerwick Rangers under-18s and the under-16s girls’ rugby team.
Young sportsperson of the year was Erin Spence, who had a brilliant netball season including being selected for the Scotland under-15 team. Annie Mowat (netball) and Ross Drakeford (table tennis) were runners-up.
Volunteer of the year was won by Bob Kerr and Lesley Hutchison, who put in an unbelievable amount of hours and work in organising Team Shetland for the 2023 island games.
Inga Geddes (Lerwick Amateur Swimming Club) and Alan Smith (outdoor bowls) were unners up.
The inclusivity award went to Phill Hibber, who puts inclusion at the forefront of everything he does with the Shetland Fencing Club. Runners up were Shetland Canoe Club and Bressay Parkrun.
The Lifetime Endeavour Award was given to Mandy Henderson for her work in numerous sports over the years.
The Shetland Times supports the awards, along with Shetland Recreational Trust, SIC sports and leisure, and sportscotland.
This year’s sponsors were: Morgan Sindall (Underground Cable Team); Morgan Sindall (Substation Team); Enquest; DITT Shetland; Ability Shetland; Harper MacLeod; Northlink Ferries; and RSM UK
A 31-year-old man has been charged with abduction and attempted murder at Lerwick Sheriff Court.
Rhys Chan, of Leicester, appeared at court today (Friday) where he entered no plea.
He was also charged with carrying a blade in public and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Chan is the fourth person to be charged with abduction and attempted murder in the last week.
He has been remanded in custody and will appear at court again at a later date, yet to be determined.
A skipper carried out a “nasty” assault on his former partner after she refused to leave his house without her kitten.
READ FULL STORYTemporarily out-of-stock More stock coming soon A visually stunning book showcasing Shetland’s natural history by one of the islands’ most renowned naturalists and photographers. Thomason’s passion for both the wildlife …
Temporarily out-of-stock More stock coming soon A visually stunning book showcasing Shetland’s natural history by one of the islands’ most renowned naturalists and photographers. Thomason’s passion for both the wildlife …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND OUT MOREThe call of the running tide has greatly influenced Louis Johnson, his family and friends and is the common thread throughout this life story spanning almost 90 years from boyhood …
The call of the running tide has greatly influenced Louis Johnson, his family and friends and is the common thread throughout this life story spanning almost 90 years from boyhood …
FIND OUT MOREFirst published in 1979, A Shetland Pattern Book became a global bestseller, with numerous reprints and revisions. Since the last edition went out of print in the early 1990s it …
First published in 1979, A Shetland Pattern Book became a global bestseller, with numerous reprints and revisions. Since the last edition went out of print in the early 1990s it …
FIND OUT MOREAlec arrived on Britain’s most inaccessible inhabited island of Foula at a critical time, the last cattle had been sold, the shop was due to close and several young people …
Alec arrived on Britain’s most inaccessible inhabited island of Foula at a critical time, the last cattle had been sold, the shop was due to close and several young people …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND OUT MOREPAPERBACK EDITION Spanning decades as well as the seasons, thirty well known figures of the local bird scene share what Shetland’s birds mean to them and recount their best days. …
PAPERBACK EDITION Spanning decades as well as the seasons, thirty well known figures of the local bird scene share what Shetland’s birds mean to them and recount their best days. …
FIND OUT MORELerwick born author and local historian, Douglas M. Sinclair, is well-known for his detailed and informative writing about Old Lerwick. In this publication however, he proves to be a witty …
Lerwick born author and local historian, Douglas M. Sinclair, is well-known for his detailed and informative writing about Old Lerwick. In this publication however, he proves to be a witty …
FIND OUT MOREThe popular view is that Shetland’s graceful double-ended boats are direct descendants of the Viking longship. This unbroken linking of the Shetland boat to the Norse era was fuelled by …
The popular view is that Shetland’s graceful double-ended boats are direct descendants of the Viking longship. This unbroken linking of the Shetland boat to the Norse era was fuelled by …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND 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, …
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, …
FIND OUT MOREFollowing on from 1914 Peace and War. Extracts from the Shetland Times. Compiled by Gordon Johnston Paperback 236 pages …
Following on from 1914 Peace and War. Extracts from the Shetland Times. Compiled by Gordon Johnston Paperback 236 pages …
FIND OUT MOREA Shetland Knitter’s Notebook is the companion volume to the bestselling A Shetland Pattern Book. First published in 1991, it contains more words and pictures from Mary Smith and photographs …
A Shetland Knitter’s Notebook is the companion volume to the bestselling A Shetland Pattern Book. First published in 1991, it contains more words and pictures from Mary Smith and photographs …
FIND 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 …
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 …
FIND OUT MORETwo brothers got into a “scuffle” over tobacco with one punching the other on his arm.
READ FULL STORYA 44-year-old father’s rare night out ended in a police cell after he became “extremely belligerent” and aggressive towards officers.
READ FULL STORYThe two man crew from a fishing boat were rescued this morning (Friday) after their creel boat sunk off Skerries.
A call to the coastguard was made around 6.30am after a mayday call about an 11-metre vessel striking a submerged rock around two nautical miles west of Out Skerries.
The two crew on board had taken to a liferaft as the shellfish boat quickly sank below the waves.
A nearby salmon vessel recovered them from the liferaft and took them on board.
The lifeboat made good speed to the scene of the incident arriving about 45 minutes after launch.
Sea conditions were flat calm, with light winds, although the air temperature was close to freezing on one of the coldest nights of the winter so far.
The lifeboat came alongside the salmon vessel and the two rescued crew were transferred to the lifeboat.
With neither of them needing any medical attention, the lifeboat took them to Symbister pier in Whalsay at 8.45am.
Stephen Manson, Coxswain said: “This outcome of this sinking could have been much worse. With a liferaft on board their vessel, the crew did the right thing by contacting the coastguard and then taking to their liferaft.
“With cold sea temperatures right now, a liferaft was the best option and we’re grateful that a nearby vessel was soon able to pick them up. We’re pleased to have been able to safely land the casualties in Whalsay after their ordeal.”
The coastguard search and rescue helicopter was also tasked but later stood down.
The lifeboat returned to Lerwick harbour for around 9.15am and was refuelled and made ready for service.
A comedian has been “blown away” after being named one of the most influential cultural contributors in Scotland.
READ FULL STORYBUSY SHOP WITH A FRIENDLY TEAM Permanent position from March 4th 2024 30/40 hours per week. Hours can be flexible. Main duties include managing stock,…
Requisition ID: 50207Domain: Support Services/Customer Services and AdministrationContract type: Permanent Schedule: Full-Time EQUANS is looking for an Admin Assistant to join our team based at Sullom…
We have a number of vacancies for various hours at locations throughout Shetland. Jobs on offer this week include… • Administration Assistant – Lerwick •…
Trainee Deckhand Yell Based Vessels On-line Ref No: SIC06948 Trainee Deckhand Whalsay Based Vessels On-line Ref No: SIC06949 Trainee Deckhand MV Leirna On-line Ref No:…
We are recruiting for a Forklift Driver to work in our busy Cold Store. This is a full-time position at our Gremista, Lerwick factory, comprising…
In today’s (Friday 1st December) edition of The Shetland Times:
The Unst and Yell tunnel action groups have today (Friday) launched an online auction to help to raise funds for an “essential” phase of their work.
READ FULL STORYPopular country band Laeverick make a welcome return to Shetland at the weekend after being a big hit at this year’s Shetland Folk Festival.
Former Shetland Times news editor Jim Tait gives his verdict on their album, Laeverick 01, ahead of their performance at the Burra Public Hall on Saturday, at 7.30pm.
Do you have a fondness for harmonies as sweet as a lark, contemporary country music (Americana, as it’s commonly known) and also want to boost local talent? If so, the debut album by Laeverick should be a must-buy.
The seven-piece band cut its teeth a number of years ago now, both in the modest surroundings of the Burra Methodist Chapel and also at the acclaimed Thomas Fraser Memorial Festival.
The centrepiece is the three-pronged vocal attack (all outstanding) led by the multi-talented Jenny Keldie (née Napier), now domiciled in Orkney.
She is joined by two others who also hail from musical families. Mhari McLeman’s father and uncles are the famed Pottinger brothers, and dad Geordie actually came up with the group’s name.
Rhonda Simpson meanwhile, is the daughter of May and granddaughter of Thomas Fraser himself, no less.
The other quartet are no slouches themselves. Ivor “Fred” Polson has been a consistently good bass player for many years, guitarist Trevor Smith burst on the scene with Shoormal and is such a fine songwriter, and Erik Laughton from Orkney provides steady drumming throughout.
And keeping the pot bubbling nicely is a veteran of more Shetland bands than you’d probably care to remember. Jack Robertson used to be better known for his guitar and double bass prowess, but is now without doubt the best pedal steel performer in the isles. There are 11 tracks in all, mostly all written by the band members themselves, and I would find it impossible to give any of them less than seven out of 10.
At the top of the tree in my opinion is Smith and Simpson’s beautiful Wild Heart, for “the restless hearts out there”, which has an absolutely sublime contribution from Robertson.
Immediately following that is the equally impressive Feet Fly, an up-tempo number from Keldie and Simpson, where the former displays her fiddle prowess as well as some formidable vocals.
The same pair also pen the opening track Trouble In Mind, with harmony and slide playing setting a standard that does not falter.
On Private Jack, Keldie switches to piano with great effect for her lament about a sister waiting for her brother to return from the First World War. Poignant words come from the late Shetland poet Jack Peterson, about the brutality of fighting and the trenches.
The band might not have built a reputation for rocking, but they come closest on Simpson and Smith’s Don’t Go, which has an upbeat melody and features Polson moving to mandolin. The Whalsay man does likewise on Bring Us The Bottle, with songwriter Simpson taking lead vocals, upright bass from Robertson and tidy lead guitar work by Smith.
The Keldie-Simpson double act contribute another two offerings in Dance For You, a country ballad said to be inspired from the “Nashville” box set, and the catchy Friday Night. The latter is about “high heels and high hopes”, or bad girls dreaming of bad boys. Say no more.
Keldie apparently presses a button on her new Roland keyboard and, hey presto, she’s playing jazz organ.
A guest in our house was asked during the first playing of the album for their thoughts of the origination of the band.
“Well obviously America,” she replied. Might they take that as a compliment? I guess they would.
Rise Up, written by Keldie for her boys Jamsie and Sam, evokes memories of a famous old country ballad, which I won’t name but should be fairly recognisable.
All through the harmonies never waver and the standard never drops. Simpson leads again with Too Far Gone, written by herself and Smith, and the contributions by McLeman and Keldie are immaculate. And finally, the third standout track for me is Keldie’s Morning Star, which features words by the late Jeanette Nowak. It’s a fitting end to a remarkably good album as it makes you long for more. Hopefully a follow-up won’t be long in the making.
Laeverick 01, by Laeverick. CD recorded and mixed by Tim Matthew, Mareel. Mastered by Gordon Gunn, The Caithness Mix Room.
• Tickets for tomorrow’s performance are available from eventbrite.com or by calling Rhonda on 07826 060054 or Jem on (01595) 859295.
A 29-year-old man has been charged with abduction and attempted murder.
READ FULL STORYConcerns have been raised as Shetland’s health and social care partnership face an overspend of almost £5 million in the current financial year.
READ FULL STORYThe 65-pod made Lerwick their residence yesterday (Thursday) after being spotted on a number of occasions throughout the day.
READ FULL STORYDozens of runners took part in the Spiggie 10k run in the South Mainland today.
Athletes started off at the Dunrossness Public Hall at 11.30am and took in the brilliant route around the Spiggie Loch in glorious sunshine, before finishing at the hall again.
• Full report in this week’s Shetland Times.
Massive crowds lined the streets around the war memorial at Lerwick Town Hall this morning to pay their respects on Remembrance Day.
A loud gun salute at the King George V playpark signalled the beginning of a well-respected two-minute silence.
This was followed by the laying of wreaths from various organisations, led by Lord Lieutenant Bobby Hunter on behalf of King Charles III.
He was followed by MSP Beatrice Wishart and representatives from the armed forces, emergency services as well as cadets and school pupils.
Relaxing, peaceful and homely accommodation in a sympathetically renovated 1920's house. The delightful property is in a quiet street in older Lerwick and provides a wonderful holiday home from home…
Nicely furnished and well equipped, with free wifi. This peaceful and cosy holiday home is close to spectacular cliff scenery, wildlife and geology at Hillswick Ness, Eshaness and Ronas Hill…
A warm welcome to our private 18th-Century Georgian townhouse in the leafy, picturesque 'lanes conservation area' of central Lerwick. Perfectly located, just a minute's walk into town and with beautiful…
Perched above the waters of Burrafirth Voe, this former Boatman's House will capture a peerie bit of your heart. With two double bedrooms and an indoor 'bunk house' sleeping fou…
Sea views, sunsets, space and solitude in a converted stone-built chapel. Renovated to a high standard in 2014, it provides all the home comforts you need in a beautiful locatio…
The Glebe is a traditional Shetland cottage recently renovated to a high standard, providing comfortable, modern accommodation but retaining the traditional look externally. Ideally situated for visiting the many attractions…
Daalamist glided throughout Shetland this morning (Tuesday) with footage taken in Whalsay by Angela Irvine featuring the dawn chorus of birds in the distance.
This follows last night’s showing of the Northern Lights which was spotted across the isles for the third night in a row.
Shetland-born chef Adam Sandison made a surprise guest appearance at last weekend’s Taste of Shetland food and drink festival.
Adam, who worked under famous chef Tom Kitchen at his Michelin-rated restaurant in Leith, delighted the crowds with an Asian-style salmon dish.
He is currently back in Shetland for a visit before going to live in Portugal with his young family, working locally at the Lerwick Hotel for a short period.
Adam said: “It was fantastic to be part of the event and showcase local produce.”
• Buy Friday’s Shetland Times for a full report and photos on the event.
If you think you have the scariest or best Halloween costume why not send us your photos, and the best will be printed in this week’s Shetland Times.
Send your photos to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk or post them on our Facebook page.
The image of this rare American Yellow Warbler was taken in Hoswick yesterday [Thursday] by Mark Rayment.
This is just the fourth Shetland record, and the second this year after one was found in Foula back in September.
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