Shetland Islands Broadcasting Company

Ahead of a visit to Orkney and Shetland tomorrow and Tuesday, the fourth time to Shetland as first minister, John Swinney has announced that residents of Shetland and Orkney are to benefit from the removal of mid season and peak season fares on NorthLink from the 24th of March.

The Scottish budget for the next financial year is committed to invest £1.8 million to remove seasonal fares for islanders using the services, meaning eligible residents of Orkney and Shetland will now pay the current low season rates for passenger, car and cabin.

At the Scottish Liberal Democrats Spring Conference, Alistair Carmichael led a motion, which was passed, stating that there should be no further development of renewables in Shetland until there is real community benefit.

Alistair Carmichael added that it was unacceptable that Crown Estate Scotland and the Scottish government were seeking to displace local fishing effort from their traditional grounds in order to make way for offshore development.

The Shetland Islands Council, the Shetland Amenity Trust and the nature conservation programme Species on the Edge are working together to introduce native Shetland wildflowers to two sites in Lerwick.

It is hoped the newly planted areas will prove to be a haven for pollinators including the Shetland bumblebee, a native species which is only found in Shetland and in the Western Isles.

NHS Shetland has decided to restrict Ward 3 at the Gilbert Bain Hospital to essential visits only.