Also in the news / Also in the news 13 March 2026
- Police seek witnesses after road accident
- Islands funding boost
- Lifeboat service honoured
- Health board proposal concern
POLICE say two women and a child were taken to hospital after Thursday’s car accident in Quarff.
Officers are also looking to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash, which saw the A970 temporarily closed in both directions.
Sergeant Alan Patrick said: “Around 2.50pm on Thursday, 12 March, 2026, we received a report of a two-vehicle crash in the North Heights area of Quarff, Shetland.
“Two women and one child were taken to hospital. The road re-opened around 5.45pm.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and anyone who witnessed the crash are asked to contact Police Scotland on 1874 of 12 March, 2026.”
THE SCOTTISH Government says island communities will benefit from a £5.75 million boost to support critical infrastructure, tackle rising costs and accelerate the transition to net zero.
The new investment aims to address pressures including depopulation and rising fuel costs which disproportionately affect island communities.
It includes £3 million through the islands programme and £1 million for the continuation of the islands cost crisis emergency fund.
Deputy first minister Kate Forbes said: “Scotland’s islands have tremendous potential and this investment in infrastructure, jobs and cost-of-living support will help island communities flourish.
“Today’s funding builds on our new National Islands Plan, published last month, which sets out targeted action to improve housing, healthcare and economic opportunities on Scotland’s islands – because when island communities thrive, the whole of Scotland benefits.”
A VOLUNTEER member of the Lerwick Lifeboat crew has been honoured after racking up nearly 20 years of service.
John Best was involved in the lifeboat between 2008 and 2025, in that time qualifying as a mechanic, navigator and first aider.
Crew gathered at the station on Thursday night for a presentation to mark Best’s 17 years of service.
Records show that during John’s service, the Lerwick lifeboat rescued or aided 362 lives.
He was described as a “valuable member of our crew, well known and liked for his reliability, experience, and blunt choice of words in a predicament”.
SCOTTISH Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has raised his campaign opposing the axing of health boards across the Highlands and Islands in the Scottish Parliament.
Halcro Johnston challenged the SNP’s health secretary to join with him in opposing plans put forward by Scottish Labour to merge Scotland’s 14 local NHS boards into three – with a single “super-board” that will cover the entire north of Scotland.
The MSP said: “It is essential that the Highlands and Islands oppose proposals to axe our health boards and centralise decision-making and accountability even further away from our local communities.”
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