Also in the news / Ferry contract drop-in events, Climate festival and more …
TWO DAYS of public consultations are set to be held next month over the next Northern Isles ferry contract.
The public will be invited to give their thoughts on the next Northern Isles Ferry Service contract on 18 and 19 September in Islesburgh’s room 11.
Sessions will be held between 10am and 12pm, 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm on 18 September, and from 11am to 1pm on 19 September.
The Scottish Government said the drop-in sessions would give people the opportunity to put forward their views and find out more about the contract.
The public consultation remains open until 13 October 2025, and a dedicated webpage has been launched to provide latest updates on the contract.
Connectivity minister Jim Fairlie said that events in Orkney and Shetland would form a “vital part” of the next contract discussions.
THE PROGRAMME for the 2025 Shetland Climate Festival has been revealed before the event next month.
A film and book launch, workshops and an array of stalls for adults and children will be among the offerings on Saturday 13 September at the Clickimin bowls hall.
A school climate roadshow film will be premiered as well as the release of an accompanying book called Climate Change From a Young Person’s Perspective and an art installation.
More than 20 exhibitors will be taking part in the festival, including the RSPB, NatureScot, ESB, Arven Offshore Wind Farm, Home Energy Scotland and Warmworks.
Workshop talks will include an update on the Brae rural energy hub project, the RSPB on biodiversity and climate change, and Shetland Aerogenerators on understanding energy bills and the UK energy market.
Children’s activities will be held throughout the day including face painting, a scavenger hunt and environment-themed Bookbug session.
AN EVENT will be held next weekend to celebrate a century of the Jarlshof archaeological site being in state care.
The Jarlshof visitor centre in Shetland’s South Mainland, which is run by Historic Environment Scotland, will be free for everyone with a ZE postcode on Sunday 7 September between 9.30am and 5.30pm.
Historic Scotland said there had been 100 years of state conservation at the Jarlshof site, and it would celebrate by inviting as many Shetlanders as possible to experience it.
A NUMBER of different jarl squads took over NorthLink ferry last night (Thursday) on their way to a weekend of celebrations in Portsoy.
Jarl Calum Grains and some of his 2025 Lerwick squad, ex-jarl John Nicolson and members of his 2019 Lerwick squad, and 2025 Bressay jarl Chris Sim and some of his squad were among those making the journey down this weekend.The group are headed to Portsoy to feature prominently in the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Portsoy 75 Club.
After visits to local schools in Banff and Fordyce, the squads will lead a torchlit procession through Portsoy on Saturday night.
Their weekend will conclude with a Viking ceilidh after the procession.
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