Also in the news / Also in the news 5 March 2026
- Northern Isles ferry service contract progress
- Knitting meeting
- Salmon farmers help out in heavy snow
- Library team celebrates World Book Day
- Giants Dance in Da Simmer Dim workshops
A “PRIOR information notice” has now been published for the next Northern Isles ferry service contract, which will begin in summer 2028.
It says the duration of the contract will be a maximum of ten years – eight years plus two years.
It also highlights that during the contract period two new freight vessels and three new passenger ships are expected to introduced.
It said the projected cost of the current contract, held by Serco, when it ends on 30 June 2028 will be £370 million.
SHETLAND’S Organisation for Knitters (SOK) will host a community gathering to help shape responses to a national heritage group later this month.
The meeting is open to practitioners of Fair Isle and Shetland Lace knitting who want their voices included in a submission to the UK Living Heritage Inventory.
The inventory records living cultural practices across the country, with SOK looking for insights on what should be included in submissions relating to Fair Isle and Shetland Lace.
The submission requires a general description of the crafts as well as information about who practices them, how they are passed along, the types of materials used, and more.
The aim is to secure listings on the UK Living Heritage Inventory with wording the community feels is accurate and fair.
The meeting will be held on Monday 16 March at 7pm in Islesburgh’s room 11.
Those who cannot attend in person can join via Zoom, through this link. For more information, email sok@sokshetland.org.
THE ROLE salmon farmers played in helping people during heavy snow earlier this year has been highlighted by trade body Salmon Scotland.
Keith Leslie, seawater site manager at Cooke’s Burrastow site, helped two separate groups of visitors who became stuck at the Sands of Sound beach in Lerwick in January.
Elsewhere in Shetland, Scottish Sea Farms teams pitched in to deliver coal to remote areas when heavy snow threatened to cut off communities, with Score Holms farm manager Drew Ward going above and beyond.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said: “Shetlanders help each other out in heavy weather and our salmon farmers are no exception. Our farmers live here too, so helping neighbours and visitors alike is simply part of island life.”
SHETLAND Library is celebrating World Book Day today (Thursday) with a programme of events to showcase the power of stories and encourage children and families rediscover the joy of reading.
According to research in 2024 by the charity National Literacy Trust, reading for pleasure is declining across the UK – while other research widely shows that regular reading strengthens literacy, supports academic success, fosters empathy, and contributes positively to mental wellbeing.
This year’s events carry added significance as 2026 is the National Year of Reading.
Shetland’s libraries have organised a varied schedule across the isles for World Book Day; highlights will include ‘Library Jenga’ at Anderson High School. a Big Book Quiz and Book Traitors in Aith; and a creative writing challenge for staff at Baltasound Junior High School,
Lerwick Library will host a special Bedtime Bookbug session and provide themed activity sheets for younger visitors.
Catherine Jeromson, team leader at Shetland Library, said: “World Book Day is the perfect moment to remind ourselves why reading matters. Whether it’s helping children build confidence, supporting wellbeing, or simply offering a moment of escape, reading enriches every part of life.”
PEOPLE are invited to get involved in a new project celebrating Shetland folklore characters, “brought to life through puppetry, dance and music”.
Alex Purbrick’s Giants Dance in Da Simmer Dim – Learn to be a Giant Creator! workshop are starting this weekend, with blocks of seasons able to be booked for youths (ages 5 – 12) and one for adults (ages 18+).
Directed by Purbrick, seven creative practitioners (John Hunter, Jane Cockayne, Lauren Bulter, Matthew Lawrence, Alice Ritch, Samantha Dennis and Eve Eunson) will direct youth and family groups in designing and making two 12-15ft, wearable Giant and Giantess puppets, two magical beastie creatures and some Skekkler style outfits for dancers.
Purbrick said: “I hope folk will have lots of fun making these folklore characters come to life and have the opportunity to express their creativity within a communal project.”
More information on how to book can be found here.
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