Also in the news / Viking Genes donation, MSYPs sought and more …
A CHEQUE for £3,000 was presented to Viking Genes last weekend following Da Westside Smiles event in July.
The Skeld Hall committee hosted their summer show and Sunday teas at the hall on Sunday, raising money for hall funds.
During the event the committee came together to present Viking Genes Shetland chairwoman Sandra Laurenson with the £3,000 cheque, raised during Da Westside Smiles event.
Laurenson said of the donation: “This money will be used for the Shetland Community Screening Project enabling preventative healthcare for people at risk from genetic variants.
“Thanks to everyone that took part in Da Wastside (S)miles and to the Skeld Hall committee for this marvellous donation.”
YOUNG people are being invited to stand to be the next members of Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) for Shetland.
MSYPs are aged between 14 to 25, with Bertie Summers and Joe Smith MSYP both stepping down from their roles this year.
MSYPs are normally elected for a two-year term but the Scottish Youth Parliament has agreed nationally to extend the current term of MSYPs for an additional year.
This has created the opportunity for two new MSYPs to be elected to represent Shetland for one year, which is the remainder of the current term.
SYP elections co-ordinator Sonny Thomason encouraged any young people interested in standing to join Shetland Youth Voice and become an executive member.
“The two successful candidates will have the opportunity to influence change and to represent young people from across Shetland, locally and at the Scottish Youth Parliament,” he added.
Anyone interested in joining Shetland Youth Voice is asked to complete a consent form available here by Friday 12 September 2025 to stand in the upcoming by-election.
PLANNED maintenance to the Papa Stour ferry terminal linkspan will now start on Monday 22 September.
The works were due to commence on 20 August, but were postponed due to adverse weather.
The maintenance involves major structural work which will require the linkspan to be taken out of use.
There will be no vehicle access to the Papa Stour ferry on Wednesday 24 September with the service operating for foot passengers only, using a gangway from the ferry to the shore.
Passengers are warned that the gangway and the stairs on board the vessel can be steep.
The linkspan will be removed after the last sailing on Monday and will be replaced in time for the next sailing on Friday morning. Vehicle access to the Papa Stour ferry will not be possible between these times.
Shetland Islands Council has apologised for any inconvenience to passengers caused by these essential works.
ALMOST 70 projects have benefitted from around £1.4 million in funding during the first year of the Viking Community Fund.
A total of 69 projects have been successful during this time, while 67 people under the age of 25 received bursaries and training grants during the 2024/25 academic year.
One young apprentice said the fund had “really helped me get started with my modern apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery”.
“It enabled me to purchase some of the basic tools I need to learn and develop the skills required for my apprenticeship,” they said.
“I would highly recommend the bursary fund to any apprentices or students working/studying in Shetland.”
Shetland Youth Voice also secured almost £24,000 to deliver six summits on subjects such as mental health, transport and fair work.
And the Fair Isle Electricity Company has been given £86,487 to undertake a “critical technical upgrade” to the island’s microgrid.
Fair Isle Development Company development manager Jack Whitwell said the money would allow to install new battery systems and to maximise power from their wind turbines, cutting their reliance on diesel generation.
Shetland Community Benefit Fund (SCBF) manager Eleanor Gear said it had been great to see “such a diverse range of initiatives” supported.
“We are already in discussions with several local groups and organisations who are developing projects which meet our strategic priorities for funding and would encourage any others to get in touch,” she said.
“We know that local organisations involved in the delivery of projects are best placed to plan, develop and deliver them”.
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