Also in the news / Mental health training, police appeal, coastguard volunteers and more…
A MENTAL health and suicide prevention trainer is set to return to Shetland later this year for his fourth round of courses.
Chris Grant, a former youth worker in Shetland, will be back in the isles in October to deliver his latest round of Scotland’s mental health first aid training.
The course takes place on 6 and 7 October at Islesburgh in Lerwick and is open to anyone who wants to build their skills and confidence in supporting mental wellbeing.
It covers topics such as anxiety, depression, suicide prevention and responding to crisis.
Previous Shetland sessions have welcomed participants from a wide range of backgrounds, and from organisations such as Shetland Youth and Employability Services, Blyde Welcome, LFT, Keiba Film, and Shetland Jewellery.
Shetland Jewellery owner Sophie Whitehead said her team had unfortunately all been impacted in some way by suicide.
“Attending the course has added invaluable knowledge to our team, and led to open and honest conversations, creating a safer space for fellow employees,” she said.
“With being such a small community, the knowledge and skills gained from this course can only add a positive impact.”
Her message to others is: “Don’t even think about it – just do it, go yourself, send your staff, and tell your friends.
“I had emotional reservations before signing up, but Chris was amazing, and I’m so pleased we all attended.”
Places for the 6–7 October course are limited and tend to fill up quickly. For more information or to book, visit here.
POLICE are investigating a disturbance, understood to be an assault, that occurred outside the Brae hall at 2am on Sunday 20 July.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact them via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number PS-20250720-0469.
THE COASTGUARD is on the lookout for more volunteer rescue officers.
It is especially keen to hear from anyone in the Baltasound, Mid Yell, Hillswick, Walls and Sumburgh areas.
The coastguard said officers will be trained to respond to emergencies like cliff rescues, missing persons and water-based incidents.
More information can be found here.
TEN DISTINCT biotopes – underwater habitats where specific species and environmental conditions coexist – have been discovered around Fair Isle.
Two of these are kelp bed biotopes which have been classified as priority marine features, habitats considered by the Scottish Government to be of conservation importance.
It comes after modelling from UHI Shetland in partnership with the Fair Isle demonstration and research marine protected area (DR MPA) executive steering group.
UHI Shetland has released a report detailing the findings from the dedicated benthic survey conducted in September 2024, as well as subsequent predictive modelling.
The report highlights the role of predictive modelling in mapping potential marine habitat distribution, particularly where direct data is limited.
The 2024 boat survey identified 10 distinct biotopes around Fair Isle, including two kelp bed biotopes.
While the updated model did not reveal any major changes in the types of habitats predicted, it did refine the boundaries of where those habitats are likely to occur, UHI Shetland said.
“Predictive models are powerful tools, particularly where direct data is limited,” said Tanya Riley, a marine scientist from UHI Shetland.
“The updated model shows that by incorporating more local data, we’re not seeing new habitats appear or disappear, but rather refining the boundaries of where existing habitats are likely to be.
“This is a key for guiding future research and monitoring within the Fair Isle DR MPA.”
Fair Isle DR MPA research officer Katie Cubbon said it was brilliant to see the results of the research into benthic habitats.
“Findings from these predictive models add to the baseline data series for the Fair Isle DR MPA, which cover all aspects of the marine environment, from benthic habitats to top predators.
“This information helps us to expand our knowledge of all aspects of the marine environment around Fair Isle and how they interact.”
LOGANAIR is calling on the public to help track down some of the country’s longest distance friendships, as it looks to bring one duo back together with free flights.
The airline’s competition invites people to share their story and explain why their long-distance friendship deserves a long-overdue reunion.
The winning pair will receive return flights to each other’s city, helping bridge the gap.
Loganair head of marketing Lyn MacDonald said the campaign was about celebrating the “real, meaningful connections that define our lives”.
The competition runs until Sunday 17 August. To take part, visit Loganair’s social media pages.
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