Also in the news / Subsea cable meeting, brewery win and more …
MP ALISTAIR Carmichael has arranged a meeting with the UK Government’s security minister after recent telecommunications issues in the Northern Isles.
Dan Jarvis has agreed to meet Carmichael after he raised concerns about the security of undersea cables, following a number of “catastrophic” outages this year.
Carmichael said it had emerged recently that there was no basic sharing of information between the government and cable companies such as Shefa.
Jarvis said he would “look carefully” at what Carmichael had said and would meet him to discuss further.
Reacting afterwards, Carmichael said it was key that accurate and available information was shared between companies – and with the public – in events like these.
“It is surely an easy win for the UK and Scottish governments to make this information more readily available – I shall be taking this meeting offer up with the minister in the coming days.”
AN EVENT in Glasgow has highlighted the importance of the space industry to Glasgow this week.
Space-Comm Expo saw Scottish business minister Richard Lochhead speak about how space was “one of Scotland’s greatest economic opportunities”.
He said the sector generated almost £400 million in income and employed more than 7,000 people, with both expected to rise in the years to come.
And he pledged to review Scotland’s space strategy, saying it would “point the way forward to the next few decades”.
Shetland is set to play a major part in the space industry, with the first orbital launch expected from Unst’s SaxaVord Spaceport next year.
Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart said it was welcome to hear that the space strategy would be refreshed.
“Growing Scotland’s space sector also requires real public investment in infrastructure,” she added. “Tunnels and full digital connectivity in Shetland would be a boon to the space sector and help attract more investment into the islands.”
LERWICK Brewery’s stout Tuskhar has been commended by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).
Tushkar was awarded gold and category champion in the stout or porter category at SIBA’s Scottish indie beer competition.
Lerwick Brewery also launched its Up Helly Aa 2026 beer this week, which it said had been endorsed by next year’s Lerwick jarl Lynden Nicolson.
Described as being a “fiery IPA”, the brewery thanked the Guizer Jarl and his squad for their collaboration.
MORE THAN 130 young people in have taken part in a nationwide programme showcasing careers in Scotland’s maritime sector.
S3 pupils from Anderson High School recently attended the Maritime Pathways event at Clickimin Leisure Centre in Lerwick, and were immersed in a day of hands-on activities.
They had the opportunity to building and test their own miniature boats, balance cargo on a barge and visit a virtual submarine, as well as hearing from industry professionals.
CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs said for many pupils it was “the first time they’re discovering a world of opportunity that’s quite literally on their doorstep.”
Anderson High School headteacher Robin Calder said it had been a “brilliant opportunity” for the S3 pupils to see the range of careers available to them.
TWO new police constables have arrived in Shetland on six-month secondments.
PC Aynsely Mcintyre and PC Erin Higney to Shetland arrived in Shetland last month.
Shetland area commander chief inspector Chris Sewell said: “Recruitment and retention of officers has been a key priority for me since taking over as area commander last year.
“These officers support my on-going commitment to increase officers numbers in Shetland to keep people safe.”
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