Also in the news / Ferry disruption, endurance fundraiser and more…
ESSENTIAL maintenance will see disruption to ferry services in Bressay and Whalsay on certain days in the coming week.
On Sunday 11 May, the following runs on the Bressay service will not operate:
- 4.30pm Lerwick to Bressay
- 5pm Bressay to Lerwick
- 5.15pm Lerwick to Bressay
- 5.45pm Bressay to Lerwick
Normal service will resume at 6pm with a run from Lerwick to Bressay.
On Wednesday 14 May, the Whalsay service will also see disruption. The following runs will operate to/from Vidlin:
- 5.45pm Symbister to Vidlin
- 6.30pm Vidlin to Symbister
- 7pm Symbister to Vidlin
- 8.30pm Vidlin to Symbister
Normal service will resume at 9.15pm with a ferry from Symbister to Laxo.
A GROUP of around 20 people involved with SSEN Transmission’s Kergord to Gremista project are set to take on a unique endurance challenge for charity.
On Saturday 31 May, the group will collectively cover a total of 322 miles – the entire cable route distance from Gremista to Kergord as well as the Shetland HVDC link to the Scottish mainland and back again – by running, cycling, and rowing in shifts on machines at Clickimin Leisure Centre in Lerwick.
They aim to complete the challenge within a day to raise funds for Beatson Cancer Charity and local mental health charity Mind Your Head.
Highlighting teamwork, each participant will take turns on rowing machines, running machines, or cycle machines, ensuring the distance is conquered together.
The teams will involve folk from SSE Transmission alongside contractors Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and Omexom.
“This challenge mirrors the collaboration and dedication behind the ongoing Kergord to Gremista project,” said Peter Henderson, SSEN Transmission’s occupational health and safety advisor for the project.
“We’re not just pushing ourselves physically—we’re raising awareness and funds for two charities that play an essential role in our communities, which have a very special place amongst our teams.”
Anouska Civico, CEO of Mind Your Head, said: “We are extremely grateful to have been chosen by local staff who are participating in the fundraiser as they will know better than anyone else how amazing our community is in supporting events like this and how these much-needed funds will help our charity to keep on growing and supporting our community.
“We would like to wish the best of luck to everyone participating and thank everyone for their kind donation as well as raising the profile of our charity and the work we do.”
Online fundraising pages for Beatson’s and Mind Your Head are open now for donations.
SAXAVORD Spaceport has unveiled a new animated character-driven educational initiative designed to inspire the “next generation of space enthusiasts”.
The Fredo the Unstronaut project includes a website and a series of videos aimed at children, parents and educators.
Frank Strang, CEO of SaxaVord, said: “In advance of our more conventional test-flight launch day later in the year and the first orbital mission from UK soil from SaxaVord, today marks the official launch of my friend, the Unstronaut, “Fredo’s SaxaVord Adventures” missions, where Fredo as the face and voice of SaxaVord is tasked with inspiring our future work force and showcasing the many diverse and exciting opportunities that the space economy offers young boys and girls throughout the world.”
A RANGE of local organisations are coming together to support and promote a variety of activities and events taking place throughout the community in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May).
These include cycling, nature walks, rowing, make your own ‘self care package’ and more.
The Active Shetland Strategy Group includes members from Shetland Islands Council, NHS Shetland, Ability Shetland, sportscotland, ZetTrans and Shetland Recreational Trust.
This year’s theme highlights the importance of taking proactive steps to support mental health.
People are also encouraged to get in touch with nature, challenge themselves, or try something new during the week.
To help everyone get involved the council’s sport and leisure service has pulled together a mental wellness bingo card, and is encouraging everyone to have a go at achieving as many of the activities on it as they can.
As part of the campaign, the council is also promoting the ‘Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing’, as recommended by the NHS.
These evidence-based actions can help people feel more positive and get the most out of life.
Active Schools coordinator Eoin Leask said: “We’re encouraging everyone in the community to take part in the activities happening this week, and to take a moment to reflect on their own mental health and that of those around them.”
YEAR on year passenger figures at Sumburgh Airport have remained relatively stable.
Figures released by operator HIAL show that in 2024/25 308,320 people travelled through the airport compared to 307,664 in 2023/24.
HIAL chief Paul Kelsall said: “Air travel remains an essential means of travel for many people living in the Highlands and Islands, and our airports are key to providing connectivity, particularly for those living in the more remote areas of the region.”
LERWICK Port Authority has welcomed increased marine traffic with equipment for the Rosebank oil development.
Chief executive Captain Calum Grains said “such projects are very important for the Shetland supply chain, with a number of local companies involved”.
More equipment for the development arrived in Lerwick on a large barge last week.
Large pieces of infrastructure for the development began arriving in Lerwick last year for onward transport to the field, which is located around 130 kilometres north west of Shetland.
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