Shetland Islands Broadcasting Company

According to Met Office records the windy weather in Shetland since Wednesday was mostly near gale force 7, only occasionally reaching gale force 8. This was enough for NorthLink to cancel its sailings for three nights while, over that period, flights at Sumburgh airport continued and nearly all were on time.

Meanwhile, with near gale force and gale force conditions likely to continue to become more frequent, there is a view that the new replacement NorthLink vessels, freight and passenger, should be suitable to sail regularly in such conditions.

The first of the 151 cruise-ship visits currently booked for Lerwick harbour this year is due on Tuesday, the Lerwick Up Helly Aa day, with arrangements for the passengers to enjoy the festival.

The brown crab and scallop fishery supervised by the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation has been certified for the third time by the Marine Stewardship Council.

The recertification has been welcomed by the Shetland Fishermen’s Association, with executive officer Sheila Keith, saying that the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation maintaining this key badge of sustainability for scallops and brown crab for 14 years was a tremendous achievement.

The Sandwick Social and Economic Development Company has been awarded a grant of nearly £20,000 from Local Energy Scotland's community and renewable energy scheme.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency has said that from Monday the responsibility for the delivery for maritime safety information for the Pentland Firth will come from the maritime rescue coordination centre in Shetland.