Also in the news / Also in the news – 9 April 2026
- Russian activity highlights Shetland’s strategic importance, MP says
- Candidate’s salmon visit
- Soup and a show programme
- Singing workshops
- Loganair’s GreenSkies fund reopens
- Seafood processing census
- Snowballs on the Sandness Hill
NEWS of Russian military activity in UK waters reinforce Shetland’s strategic importance, Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has said.
Defence Secretary John Healey announced that three Russian submarines had conducted a “covert” operation over cables and pipelines in waters north of the UK, with a British warship and aircraft deployed to deter the activity.
The defence secretary said there was no evidence of any damage to UK infrastructure.
Carmichael said this was a reminder of how important these connections were, and said that we “cannot take their security for granted”.
“It is for exactly these reasons that I have continued to press the government to make greater security and resilience for our islands a priority over recent years.
“This should be a reminder, too, that isolationism and nationalism are luxuries we cannot afford. We need to be working more closely together across the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond, not less, if we are going to counter these threats in the long term.”
LIBERAL Democrat candidate for Shetland Emma Macdonald said any decisions about the future of salmon farming need to be “based on the full picture, including the impact on local jobs and communities”.
She recently visited Scottish Sea Farms’ Girlsta Hatchery and Swarta Marine Farm.
Macdonald hailed the economic benefits of the salmon industry in Shetland but recognised that there are “strong views” about the sector.
For example the Greens are calling for a moratorium on new developments, with mortality rates among the concerns.
Macdonald said: “The reality is, any decisions taken need to be based on the full picture, including the impact on local jobs and communities.
“This comes back to balance. It’s really important that decisions reflect what matters to folk here in Shetland.”
The other candidates standing in the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May are, in alphabetical order: Alex Armitage (Greens), Douglas Barnett (Conservatives), Vic Currie (Reform), John Erskine (Labour), Hannah Mary Goodlad (SNP), Brian Nugent (Alliance to Liberate Scotland) and Peter Tait (independent).
SHETLAND Arts has announced the full line-up for its Soup and a Show programme this year, with monthly performances spanning music and comedy taking place between May and September.
The performances will take place at Mareel from 1pm to 1.40pm, with the audience able to enjoy a bowl of soup at the same time.
Adam Guest will perform on 7 May, with Alex Garrick-Wright presenting his Cabinet of Comedy Curios on 4 June.
On 9 July there will be 100 Years of Musicals before Kansa (6 August) and Hinna (3 September) take to the stage.
SHETLAND Arts has also announced the launch of two new singing workshops, Voice Notes and Just Sing!, both of which will be led by Suzanne Briggs.
Both workshops will take place at Mareel on Thursdays, with Voice Notes (aimed at young people aged S1 – S6) at 4.30pm to 5.30pm and Just Sing! (aimed at adults aged 16+) to run between 6.30pm and 8pm.
Shetland Arts’ director of creativity and impact Catriona Macdonald said: “These workshops are a great chance to meet new folk and enjoy group singing to uplift mood and have musical fun in a safe, welcoming space.”
LOGANAIR says it is welcoming new applications to its GreenSkies Community Fund after distributing more than £100,000 to projects over the last five years.
The bespoke environmental initiative, established in 2021, is designed to help charities, community groups, and small businesses to achieve their sustainability goals.
Applications for the fund are now open and will close on 7 May.
SEAFOOD processors across the UK are being encouraged to take part in a 2026 processing census.
Run by Seafish, the public body that supports the UK seafood industry, the annual census builds a clear picture of the processing sector by gathering information from businesses to help understand its scale, performance and economic contribution.
This year the census will run between April and June when Seafish researchers will contact businesses directly and invite them to take part in a short telephone survey.
THIS photo shows how there was time for a snowball on the Sandness Hill on Monday (6 April) despite it being spring.
Thanks to Warren Kelly for sending it in.
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