A motion that could result in easier access to cabin and vehicle space for islanders on NorthLink ferries has made it to the main agenda of next month’s SNP conference.

This second piece of a series of #PowerShift articles by Erin Rizzato Devlin looks at national connections, mapping the journey of energy produced from a Viking wind turbine. @scottishbeacon.bsky.social @lochsidepress.bsky.social @ampaipear.bsky.social @fiosnews.bsky.social @bylines.scot

The procurement of two new freight ferries for the Northern Isles network is progressing to the ‘invite to tender’ stage – with the project estimated to cost £200 million. shet.news/0k47q

Wreaths were laid at the Lerwick War Memorial this morning (Sunday) to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Two dozen hardy campaigners were battling a stiff northerly wind today (Saturday) as they were walking to 30 miles from Sumburgh to Lerwick to raise funds to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

It's Tuesday lunchtime in Cullivoe and the local hall slowly fills with elderly couples, parents with young children, men in work gear and the odd visitor to the community. #Powershift @scottishbeacon.bsky.social @bellacaledonia.bsky.social shet.news/8yudn

In this ViewPoint contribution, former parliamentary candidates, former councillor and trustee of Shetland Charitable Trust, journalist and book author Dr Jonathan Wills, offers a lesson in recent local history and in dealing with large energy corporations #PowerShift

A clear majority of islanders appear in favour of additional powers for Shetland and the local authority, although it is unclear to what extent that should happen. Almost two thirds of people who responded to our survey said they were in favour of more powers being handed to the isles.

Councillors have formally decided against adopting a visitor levy in Shetland, with the focus instead placed on engaging with the Scottish Government on alternative revenue-generating avenues.

Summer is not quite over yet: A beautiful day-flying hummingbird hawk-moth in a Shetland garden earlier this week.

A mother travelling to London for breast cancer surgery with her toddler was left without essential luggage for the trip after a catalogue of errors from two airlines. @britishairwaysteam.bsky.social shet.news/bg6ig

There is limited scope for the council and elected members to influence major energy developments in the isles, and certainly no power to stop them from happening. shet.news/pctmq

The design has been unveiled for the new Fair Isle ferry, which is set to launch late next year. shet.news/663a1

Lerwick Town Hall has lit up green tonight (Wednesday) to mark world suicide prevention day, which is globally observed on 10 September. @nhsshetland.bsky.social @samaritans.bsky.social shet.news/lntxa

The UK Government has been urged to provide secure, long-term investment in the space sector – or risk Scotland falling behind fierce European rivals. shet.news/qrpbz

This is the first part of a small series of articles, contributed by Erin Rizzato Devlin as part of our #PowerShift project, that investigates the challenges of the transition to net zero taking into account impacts in Shetland, Chile or China @scottishbeacon.bsky.social @lochsidepress.bsky.social

Shetland writer Yvonne Tait has picked up the prestigious Scots Writer o’ the Year award at the Scots Language Awards 2025. Tait, from Bigton, collected the award at the annual celebration of Scotland’s indigenous language at Discovery Point in Dundee. shet.news/6v1nx

A major project to deepen large parts of Lerwick harbour to a depth of 10 metres is making good progress, according to those involved in the £3.2 million contract. shet.news/169r8

Around 20 activists gathered outside the parliamentary office in Lerwick’s Commercial Street on Saturday to protest against the controversial Rosebank development. shet.news/h5qd5

A Shetland guide book featuring inaccuracies, false information and recommendations for places that have either closed or do not exist has caused confusion. shet.news/tikpc

Is Shetland autonomy a valid ambition and if so, which powers should be requested from the Scottish Government? shet.news/2w253

Court: A businessman who fraudulently stole £166,000 from HMRC by submitting fake invoices and bank statements has been warned he must provide a clear plan to repay the money – or face jail. shet.news/qfsmd

Please spare a few minutes and fill in our autonomy survey. Open until 12 September. We will report on the results soon afterwards. Link: www.shetnews.co.uk/surveys/auto...

Shetland has been enjoying the second warmest summer on record, with temperatures 1.5°C degrees higher than average. shet.news/48tp1

Ower da past twa year, South Georgia Heritage Trust ir bøn wirkin wi ex-whalers an dir faimilies tae big up a bank o informashun aboot whit life wis lik fir fokk at da industrial whalin, writes Helen Balfour. shet.news/3jarm

NorthLink has opened its booking schedule for 2026, with price rises also set to affect passengers. The ferry operator announced today (Monday) that passengers could now book for journeys in 2026, following months of complaints about the delay in the schedule being opened. shet.news/e98pg

Shetland Gymnastics Club celebrated its 20th anniversary with a sparkling display for the public on Saturday. shet.news/j9wfc

Dis is da second pairt o writeens by Helen Balfour spikin aboot whit life wis lik fir whalers wirkin in Sooth Georgia an whit maed dem leave dir homs tae traivel tidda ends o da ert. shet.news/p3n0s

The Shetland women's football team enjoyed a resounding inter-county victory over Orkney at Fraser Park in Scalloway this afternoon, winning 8-0. @shetnews.co.uk

ViewPoint contribution: Isles MP @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.socialresponds to first minister John Swinney being ‘dumbfounded’ when learning about local frustrations with the NorthLink ferry service. The comment struck a chord, the Liberal Democrat MP observes, but for all the wrong reasons shet.news/5v8h2

Shaetlan: Fir maist Shetlanders, da connecshun til Sooth Georgia is trow da industrial whaleen. Dis first piece o a series o tree peecis o writeens by Helen Balfour spiks aboot Sooth Georgia’s history, an how it güd fae bein explored ti da centre o da Suddern Ocean whaleen. shet.news/ejufb

Survey: Please take a few minutes to share your views on 'What's next for Shetland?' shet.news/panyl

Two charity fundraisers have been left “absolutely bowled over” by the phenomenal response to their remarkable Hams o’ Roe challenge. Lou Jackson and Laurence Hunter have raised almost £4,500 for Ability Shetland after completing the 10km circuit in their active wheelchairs on Saturday.

As part of the #PowerShift project, we publish articles from across Scotland on how fair the transition to net zero really is. Shetland’s experiences are not unique as this account from North Lewis demonstrates @fiosnews.bsky.social @scottishbeacon.bsky.social @ampaipear.bsky.social

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank told veteran campaigner Stuart Hill he had “had enough” of him during a lengthy debate at Lerwick Sheriff Court. Hill was returning to the court for the first time since being jailed in June for refusing to carry out 75 hours of unpaid work. shet.news/m2z45

Councillor Moraig Lyall has ended her membership with the Liberal Democrats after failing to be selected as the party’s Shetland candidate for next year’s Scottish Parliament election. shet.news/32nvw

The chair of the local Labour Party has resigned after his application to stand as candidate at the forthcoming Scottish parliamentary election was rejected by the party’s head office. shet.news/diuwb

The Scottish Government has ruled out a pause or moratorium on new renewable energy projects. Communities from across the Highlands and numerous campaign groups, including from Shetland, have called recently for any developments to be stopped. @mareetodd.bsky.social @scottishbeacon.bsky.social

NorthLink says it has “no relationship whatsoever” with booking platform Direct Ferries, which appears to offer cabins on some sailings which are listed as sold out on the operator’s own website. shet.news/kug21

People will get the rare chance to hear from a range of energy developers in the same room in what is being described as Shetland’s first collaborative engagement session on future projects. shet.news/2a26f

Scottish fishing leaders have demanded an immediate stop to further offshore wind farm consents. First minister @johnswinney.bsky.social gives his assurance that fishing concerns will be listened to

THE COUNCIL’s political leader Emma MacDonald has issued a word of caution after first minister @johnswinney.bsky.social claimed talks over handing more powers to the local authority had “intensified”. shet.news/etmcm

@amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social has said he himself is “dumbfounded” at @johnswinney.bsky.social comments during a forum in Shetland on Wednesday. The first minister said he was left a “bit dumbfounded” after being told that NorthLink passengers could not book travel beyond 31 December. shet.news/f2ruk

British comedy legends Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse have been in Shetland filming for their award-winning series Gone Fishing. shet.news/fyt8e

First minister John Swinney has said he is “dumbfounded” by NorthLink passengers not being able to book travel for 2026. The first minister faced questions from the public at a talk in the Shetland Museum and Archives last night, and was grilled on NorthLink’s performance. shet.news/1gvpc

FIRST minister John Swinney has said discussions about the Scottish Government giving Shetland Islands Council greater autonomy have “intensified”. shet.news/ybr0w

Communities say the transition to green energy is leaving them sidelined Shetland News and its partners in the #Powershift project are exploring how fair the energy transition really is @scottishbeacon.bsky.social @bylines.scot @fiosnews.bsky.social @ampaipear.bsky.social @lochsidepress.bsky.social