GR Direct - Winter Sale 2024
Monday 11 November 2024
 9.4°C   NW Moderate Breeze
Realta Events Management - 7-day training course
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Scottish Independence Debate / Sturgeon to make pre-referendum visit

Deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon is to visit Shetland ahead of the referendum.

SCOTLAND’S deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon is to visit Shetland three weeks ahead of September’s independence referendum.

The 44 year old, who has served as First Minister Alex Salmond’s deputy for the past seven years, will participate in a question and answer session about independence on the evening of Wednesday 27 August.

The event, at Shetland Museum and Archives, will kick off at 8pm – straight after BBC Radio Shetland’s referendum hustings, taking place at the same venue, finishes.

Other details of the 24-hour trip are still to be fully pinned down, but a Scottish Government spokeswoman said the plans was for Sturgeon to attend a lunchtime event organised by the Shetland Women for Independence group.

It is also hoped that an afternoon Q&A session with young people can be arranged.

Sturgeon previously visited the islands in her capacity as health minister in August 2007, though she was not among members of the SNP government’s cabinet who travelled north last summer.

Activity within Shetland is beginning to pick up ahead of the referendum on Scottish independence, which takes place on Thursday 18 September.

On Tuesday (12 August) Shetland News is co-sponsoring an event with The Herald’s political commentator Iain Macwhirter about his ‘Road to Referendum’ book. He will speak in Room 16 at Islesburgh, after which there will be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Meanwhile the isles’ long-serving Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott is in the midst of a series of “ferry to the referendum” meetings where he is outlining the case for a No vote. He’ll be in the Brae Hall on Monday (11 August) and Hillswick Hall on Wednesday (13 August).

Late last month UK Prime Minister David Cameron paid a surprise visit to the islands.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.