South Mainland schools to close early due to power cut

22 January 2024 13:57

The entrance to Sandwick Junior High School, featuring a blue sign, yellow railings, and a covered walkway leading to the main building.

Sandwick Junior High School. Photo: Dave Donaldson

SHETLAND Islands Council says that Sandwick Junior High School and Dunrossness Primary schools are closing early today (Monday) due to a widespread power cut in the South Mainland.

The council said the schools have been left without heating and communications.

Buses will collect pupils from Sandwick JHS as soon as possible, and from Dunrossness Primary School at 2.30pm.

As the phones and Wifi networks are down, parents will be unable to contact the school directly.

Parents of pupils not travelling on school transport are asked to collect pupils as soon as possible.

School staff will ensure all children are safe and looked after until they can be collected.

School transport at all other schools will operate as normal this afternoon, after this morning’s winds.

Strong gales associated with Storm Isha between 6am and 10am this morning peaked around 8am.

Gusts of 79mph were recorded in both Baltasound and Lerwick.

Winds have now moderated and will continue to ease overnight and into Tuesday morning.

However, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind for most of Scotland, including Shetland, for winds associated with Storm Jocelyn. This warning is in place from 4pm on Tuesday until 1pm on Wednesday.