What is the next political step here in Shetland?

There are a lot of people willing to go on and shout and bawl about seperating Shetland from the United Kingdom. Personally, I think that there could possibly be massive gains in this for us all, not only for the fishing industry but oil too. In fact, everyone here in Shetland.

After the results of the last election, which I must admit surprised me a little as it was poorer than I thought it would be, the general public has been shouting loudly that they want this and that they need that.

What are we going to do about it?

Are we going to make a move to go it alone?

We can do it if the people want to. But they need to speak up. They need to be honest about their beliefs.

Where are you now, Billy?

The ferry

I have just had a look at how Northlink have been doing over the past few days and, more importantly, how they will be running the ferry tonight from Aberdeen up to Shetland because a friend is booked to be on it tonight. As usual he's on his motorbike and he'll be here until Sunday.

Fingers crossed that the boat sails fine and that we have a week of good weather. It's always a better visit if the sun is out and the wind is down. Then the walking boots go on and the camera can come out.

Hopefully, while he's here we'll get the chance to walk from here in Hillswick, up by Heylor, right along the voe, out to the Atlantic. It's easy to access from here where I live but I've never done it via the next voe up.

Fingers crossed, eh.

Alistair Buchan

Jings, crivens, help ma boab, I'd no longer commented on the fact that he hasn't blogged lately than wham, bang - it's right out there. Now, the question that we have to ask is, was his weekly blog, as usual, a week late, or possibly, did he read my blog and feel that he'd been spotted - not doing the job that he'd actually promised. Now before I go any further I have to point out that I had not been paid to point this out in any way, I had not been paid to make him look small in any way - I do all these things quite naturally!!!

Shetland Islands Council Chief Executive's Blog

It's very good, Alistair Buchan putting out his blog for us to read and enjoy, and making sure that we have the information that he wants us to have (truth - well maybe?) but the header states "Weekly Updates from Chief Executive Alistair Buchan". It would appear that the Shetland week is longer than anybody else's.

When will it come out again - or - Will it come out again?

Norwegian visitors pay tribute to Shetland Bus operation

May 17th, 2011 by Jim Tait 

A crowd of Norwegian visitors celebrated their country’s independence day with a march through Lerwick town centre today.
The group arrived the previous day on a number of boats, including the Helandwhich is of special significance to Shetlanders, being a veteran of the Shetland Bus operation during World War II.
The parade began at 10am at Victoria Pier, headed through Commercial Street and the Esplanade and back to the pier where the Norwegian national anthem was sung. The event was recorded for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, to be shown on television in the country.
In the afternoon, the visitors laid a wreath at the Shetland Bus Memorial in Scalloway in memory of those who lost their lives during World War II. They then headed back to Lerwick were, accompanied by members of the Norwegian-Shetland Association, they laid flowers on the Norwegian war graves.

SLF

I've just heard that Stiff Little Fingers are looking to come up to Shetland and play in Lerwick in the autumn, now  that looks good to me. I remember them in the 80's, I loved them and it's good to see that they're still running.

Now I feel my age, oh gawd!!!

Stiff Little Fingers history
Lyrics for a lot of SLF

Willie Rennie

Willie Rennie is taking over from Tavish - who is he, what's he like, do we have to find out the hard way? We'll hold our breath!!!