Young Fiddler of the Year winners

Kristie Williamson,14, from Burra was named Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year 2024 at the Mareel last night.

She took home the Frank Jamieson Memorial Trophy at the 42nd awards, as well as both the trophies for the Open and Traditional competitions. She was also awarded The Cat Gut and Ivory trophy for the best played reel.

The Young Fiddler Intermediate and Traditional Intermediate went to Lexi Tulloch.

Tom Williamson was named Junior Young Fiddler and Zara Nicolson Traditional Junior winner.

Fetlar glamping pods abandoned after complaints

Plans to build four glamping pods in Fetlar have been abandoned after neighbours raised concerns about noise and the smell from people cooking outside.

The proposals would have seen the four pods built behind the Fetlar shop, café and Gord B&B on the island.

But two nearby neighbours raised concerns about the site, saying the pods and their guests would bring “significant noise to an extremely quiet rural area”.

One couple said they could be subject to the “smells from four pods cooking”.

Fetlar Community Council said it was willing to support the application as it would help bring more people to the island.

However, it noted there had been concerns about noise levels.

One couple said the area was “one of tranquillity” with “very little noise” from people.

The pods and their guests would cause “uncharacteristic noise” for the people living in the nearby area, they claimed.

They argued that “no amount of shrubbery or screening” would stop the noise disturbance, or the “smells from four pods cooking and entertaining outside”.

The application – lodged by the owners of the Fetlar shop – was withdrawn this week following a lengthy pause in the process.

Tunnels should be ‘Shetland’s price’ for hosting space industry, MP says

The UK government has been urged to fund fixed links as “Shetland’s price” for its role in the vital space industry.

SaxaVord Spaceport today (Thursday) celebrated a major milestone in the project, securing the final licence to host orbital satellite launches.

The first launch is expected to take place later this year.

Isles MP Alistair Carmichael strongly welcomed that news, and said he was delighted that the UK government had pledged £10m towards the budget.

But he has called on them to go even further, and to fund tunnels to the outer isles as well.

“We welcome the coming of the space industry to Shetland, but we welcome it on our own terms and we want to maximise for ourselves the opportunities that it can bring to our communities,” he said.

“One project that the community is keen to proceed with – and which is deserving of some support from the Scottish government and the UK government would be to replace our inter-island ferries with fixed-links tunnels going from mainland Shetland to Yell, and Yell to Unst.

“That is the sort of thing that should be Shetland’s price for playing host to the space industry.”

Mr Carmichael added that if Shetland is to “step up to the plate” for the benefit of the UK, that responsibility needs to be acknowledged.

Loganair removes flights to concentrate on improving isles reliability

Loganair says it has taken “decisive action” and removed some of its flights to improve resilience to Shetland and Orkney.

The airline said it had “listened carefully to customers and crew” before making the decision.

Flights to and from Aberdeen and Teesside, and Newcastle, will be cut from the schedule.

As will the Glasgow-Southampton route from 10th May.

Loganair said these changes would help reduce the amount of disruption to its lifeline island communities, and a reduction in the number of delayed or cancelled flights.

Several other routes will see minor adjustments to frequency.

New Loganair chief Luke Farajallah said he wanted to personally apologise to everyone who had been affected by the “unacceptable levels of disruption”.

“This decision is one that has been made for the greater good of the vast majority of customers who must be able to book and fly with confidence, especially from some of the most remote parts of the UK.

“We are relentlessly focused on confidently serving our core markets and core customers, who must be able to book with certainty, and experience a stable and resilient flying programme.

“This is especially true for the Highlands and Islands communities who rely on Loganair for being so much more than an airline serving a leisure market. 

“We have been falling short of the service levels expected of us by our loyal customers and amazing crew for over 18 months, and today we are making changes that once fully delivered throughout the summer will help restore the image and reputation we have fought so hard to generate over so many years as the trusted airline partner in our unique market.”

Knab plans scrape through in face of strong opposition from residents 

The next major milestone in the multi-million pound Knab redevelopment has been given the green light – despite major opposition from neighbouring residents.