Magazine wins national award – but team stuck in isles

THERE was a Shetland winner at this year’s Scottish Magazine Awards – but the recipients were unable to attend the event after their flight south suffered technical problems.

Shetland Life won the Small Publishing Company Magazine prize at the event on Thursday night by beating off competition from Living Orkney and Menopause Matters.

Speaking on Friday, editor Genevieve White said she was “delighted” at Shetland Life being put on the national map.

However, the team were unable to attend the ceremony after their Flybe flight to Edinburgh went ‘technical’ and after being delayed for most of the day, could only fly to Aberdeen.

“I was hopeful – I wasn’t exactly expecting it,” White said of the award win.

“I had been practising my losing smile in front of the mirror. I was really, really pleased.”

White added that they had a “bit of a day trip” to Sumburgh Airport instead of attending the awards in Edinburgh.

“We had a good few beers though, so that was nice,” she said.

Monthly magazine Shetland Life was first launched in 1981 and it covers a host of topics in the isles, from history and heritage to music and just about everything in between.

White has brought fresh ideas to the table since taking on the editor role in early 2016.

“I’m pleased with how it’s shaping up. We still have a lot of plans to improve it and develop it further,” she added.

“This award has given us a confidence boost and it’s motivated us to work even harder towards improving the magazine.”