GR Direct - Everyday Low Prices
Saturday 23 August 2025
 12.3°C   N Light Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Letters / People will move away

I live in Unst; I’m not a member of the Unst action group or CURE. I don’t even have school-aged children. I foolishly thought that the school closures had nothing to do with me.

How wrong was I! It has everything to do with me. I’m seeing my friends distressed at the thought that they may have to move.

I am distressed at the thought that my community is being torn apart.

If the schools are closed in the isles and the children are forced to board in the hostel, families will move away. If people move away then other services will be cut. Where will it end?

The health board is struggling to recruit remote and rural GPs and nurses. The police have had no applicants for their vacancies.

School closures are not a good advertisement.

Unst is a beautiful place to live. I am really lucky and proud to be part of such a wonderful community.

I’m not ashamed to say that I cried when I watched the YouTube video (Campaigners’ protest song against school cuts; SN, 07/10/14).

What I am ashamed of is a council that is putting money before people.

Money is tight; I appreciate that cuts have to be made, but surely savings can be made elsewhere.

Money has been poured into many projects that only benefit a few, so why are we not investing in our islands’ future?

And I mean all of our islands, and not just the part called Lerwick. Unst, the island above all others. It certainly is in my book.

Mandy Nesfield
Unst

 

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:

  • Removal of third-party 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.

 
Categories

Sign up
for our Newsletters

Stay in the loop with newsletters tailored to your interests. Whether you're looking for daily updates, weekly highlights, or updates on jobs or property, you can choose exactly what you want to receive.

Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

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.

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?

  • Removal of third-party ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.