News / Looking back on the week: Scalloway pool, ferry frustrations and Sullom Voe concerns
IT HAS been a another busy news week in Shetland, with Shetland News publishing 38 stories, three news round-ups, one election news round-up and eight letters across the last seven days.
The planned closure of the Scalloway pool has continued to dominate the local news agenda, with around 150 people gathering at the pool last Sunday to decry the decision to shut the building at the end of next month.
Big turnout as voices grow in opposition to Scalloway pool closure
With the pool well used for swimming lessons both via its operator Shetland Recreational Trust as well as through schools, the message from bairns at Sunday’s event was clear – they do not want it to close.
But Shetland Recreational Trust made its position very clear on Friday too – it was either close Scalloway, or face insolvency it said.
In the lengthy response, the SRT said shutting Scalloway was the “least-worst” option available to protect sports and leisure services across Shetland.
The building would require around £1.2 million in refurbishments in the near to medium term to continue operating as a swimming pool, the trust said.
Close Scalloway or face insolvency – SRT says pool closure was ‘least-worst decision’
Meanwhile the topic of inter-island ferries – and, in turn, fixed links – have been brought to the fore once more because of disruption in the North Isles.
Yell, Unst and Fetlar have all been affected by single-vessel timetables on the Bluemull and Yell Sound routes, which have been caused by a combination of mechanical issues and drydocking.
Yell Community Council chairwoman Annette Jamieson said it was an exasperating situation for all involved – and strengthened calls for fixed links to Yell and Unst.
She said people’s plans were being disrupted daily, with early morning and teatime crossings “problematic” due to the increased demand.
‘Incredibly disruptive’: Frustration in North Isles about ferries and roadworks
At Sullom Voe oil terminal, a stark future has been painted for the future by the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for Energy Policy.
More than 400 jobs could be lost across the Shetland economy by 2050 if no action is taken to transition the terminal to low-carbon fuels, it said.
It has claimed Shetland’s economy could also lose £30 million per year, and urged backing to be given to Veri Energy’s phase one of planned low-carbon fuel production at Sullom Voe – which it says could almost offset all job losses.
However Alex Armitage, Green candidate for the Shetland seat at the upcoming Scottish elections, described the research as a “breathless policy briefing”.
“When I read this briefing from a seemingly reputable university department, specifically urging public backing for a corporate energy project, I smelt a rat,” the Green councillor said.
Elsewhere Muckle Roe owner Max Ward spoke to Shetland News about his desire to pass the land on to its 130 residents in a potential landmark move for Shetland.
The 76-year-old investment banker said he had been aware for a long time that, “as an absentee landlord and infrequent visitor to Shetland”, he had been unable to “contribute much to the evolution of Muckle Roe”.
Landowner encourages residents to participate in Muckle Roe community buy-out
Shetland Islands Council offered the first look at its six new one-bedroom flats in Lerwick’s North Road, the first mid-market rental properties being offered by arms-length organisation Shetland Mid-Market Homes.
The only criteria for applying for the North Road properties are a connection to Shetland, and an income band of between £30,000 to £50,000 per household.
Council expects ‘high demand’ as it unveils new mid-market rental flats in Lerwick
And finally, it was Uyeasound’s turn in the Up Helly Aa spotlight on Friday, with Duncan Johnson leading the festival as guizer jarl.
For the 40-year-old care centre manager it was a true family affair – not just in the jarl squad itself but the name of the galley, and runes on the shields too.
Johnson’s squad features 17 adults and eight bairns, with the ages of the children ranging from 12 – his son – to around just seven months.
Family at the forefront as Uyeasound Up Helly Aa gets underway
- Shetland Islands Council needs to make a “step change” to achieve financial sustainability, a report from the local government watchdog Accounts Commission said this week.
- Glasgow became Shetland for the weekend as a love-themed music event showcasing upcoming bands returned, with three of the nine bands featuring Shetlanders.
- What could be Scotland’s largest fish farm has been given the green light in Shetland – but the fishing industry was unimpressed at the news.
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