Also in the news 26 October 2026

JUNIOR Up Helly Aa is inviting applications from young people in P7, S1 and S2 across Shetland who wish to form squads and take part in Junior Up Helly Aa 2027.

It comes after the committee announced earlier this year that Erin Harries will take on the role of junior Jjarl, marking a significant and historic moment in the festival’s history.

Martin Summers, chairperson of Junior Up Helly Aa, said he encouraged families to get “organised early and submit their applications as soon as possible, as places are limited”.

The festival has a maximum capacity of 150 guizers, including the junior jarl and jarl’s squad, meaning there are 135 places available for peerie guizers. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, and the festival will continue to offer the opportunity for an equal gender split among participants.

Parents and carers can request application forms and guidance notes from 8am on Wednesday (28 October) by visiting here or by emailing: juhacommittee@gmail.com.

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Completed applications can be returned by email or post from 9am on Friday 30 October. Applications submitted before this time will not be accepted. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 6 November.

For 2027 the committee will continue with a £10 guizing fee per participant to help meet the increasing costs of operating the festival. Support will be available for families whose young people receive free school meals and/or clothing grant, with fees waived where required to ensure that no child is excluded from participating due to financial circumstances.

The committee is also encouraging supporters to back Junior Up Helly Aa through the Co-op Local Community Fund. Members of the Co-op can now select Junior Up Helly Aa as their chosen local cause, helping to raise valuable funds.

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Supporters can choose Junior Up Helly Aa by visiting here or through the Co-op App.

A REPRESENTATIVE of the US Consulate General in Edinburgh headed north to Shetland recently, with visits made to places like SaxaVord Spaceport, Sullom Voe Terminal and the Scalloway Museum.

Consul general Kathryn Porter met with “council, industry and cultural representatives” during the visit.

Writing on Twitter, she thanked those who gave their “warm welcome and great conversations on the importance of U.S.-Shetland economic and cultural connections”.

FOUR women from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been selected for Advance HE’s Aurora Leadership Development Programme.

Selina-May Miller from UHI Shetland will take part in the 2026/27 programme alongside Cat Meighan from UHI Moray, Sarah-Jane Rogers from UHI North, West and Hebrides and Fran Stuart from UHI Inverness.

The UHI said their selection reflects its commitment to “recognising women’s leadership potential and supporting their progression into roles where they can influence decisions and shape change”.

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Aurora brings together women working in academic and professional services roles to develop their leadership skills, build confidence and strengthen professional networks. The four colleagues will join more than 200 women from across Scottish higher education.

WESTMINSTER’s Scottish Affairs Committee will hold the next session of its digital connectivity inquiry on Wednesday morning, exploring the rollout of gigabit capable broadband in Scotland.

The cross-party committee will question broadband infrastructure providers HebNet, Go Fibre and Openreach on why gigabit broadband coverage in Scotland continues to lag behind the rest of the UK.

MPs will ask about programmes aimed at fixing this, including R100 and Project Gigabit, as well as the biggest barriers to achieving universal coverage in Scotland.

Questions could also cover providers’ work connecting Scotland’s rural and remote communities, and whether a different approach is needed to successfully provide coverage in those areas.

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THE ORKNEY and Shetland Labour branches will host an online meeting with new Scottish party leader Michael Marra on Wednesday evening.

Among the discussion topics will be how Scottish Labour will work to support people living and working in the Northern Isles.

Mike Macleod, Orkney Labour’s candidate in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, said: “Michael Marra is an enormously experienced, capable and very articulate politician.

“Coming as he does from Dundee, he appreciates there is very much more to Scotland than the Central Belt and is very much focused on issues facing people in Orkney and Shetland.”

Those wishing to join the meeting are asked to contact Orkney Labour at orkneylabourparty@gmail.com for more details.