Also in the news / Junior jarl applications, Scord quarry and more …
APPLICATIONS are open to be the next Lerwick junior guizer jarl.
Almost a year since Fin Hatrick was elected as jarl for the 2025 festival, the junior Up Helly Aa committee is looking for someone to lead the 2026 event.
Hatrick and his squad have had a busy year, with an appearance at Shetland Wool Week set to complete their duties as junior jarl squad.
Applications are open to young people in S2 at school in Lerwick who wish to be considered.
Application forms can be requested by visiting http://www.linktr.ee/junioruphellyaa, emailing juhacommittee@gmail.com or by writing to Peerie Galley Shed, Gremista Road, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0PT.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday 22 August.
THE BATCHING plant at the Scord Quarry is set to reopen in early September as planned maintenance continues.
The work is to refurbish plant in the asphalt screening tower.
A spokesperson for Shetland Islands Council said the old equipment has been stripped out before the installation of new replacement equipment, which will reduce the risk of unplanned shutdowns in future.
SSEN TRANSMISSION has opened the second round of its regional community benefit fund, offering organisations in the North of Scotland the chance to apply for a share of £2 million.
The fund was launched last September and made its first £2m of awards in February 2025. No projects in Shetland received any funding during the first round of awards.
Projects that aid skills development, support the culture of the region or help alleviate fuel poverty are set to be prioritised in the second round, SSEN said.
More details about the fund and how to enter can be found here.
FARMS, crofts and estates across Shetland are invited to take part in a survey which aims to recognise the impact of one of Scotland’s fastest growing rural sectors.
Scotland’s Agritourism Survey 2025 will be undertaken by VisitScotland, on behalf of Scotland’s national agritourism strategy board.
Agritourism is defined as tourism or leisure on a working farm, croft, or estate that produces food or fleece.
Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said agritourism was already making a “real difference” to Scotland’s economy.
The survey is open to all farms, crofts, estates, and smallholdings currently operating – or considering – agritourism or farm retail and all responses are anonymous.
The survey, which is available here, closes on 15 September.
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.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
